Handheld Conference 2013 review
I had a super time at Handheld Conference in Cardiff. Craig Lockwood, the organiser, asked some months ago if I’d be a secret addition to the bill, and sing a couple of funny songs I’d written, and I agreed – last year they had 140 attendees, so i thought that making a twat of myself in front of 140 would be a nice way to end this conference season.
1200 people bought tickets – the event had moved to the Millennium Stadium, which is the biggest stage in Europe.
Reader, I shat myself (figuratively). The first song – Like A Rounded Corner – was fine, although you can hear my voice waver with nerves and I chickened out of any fancy guitar playing.
My second song followed Ling Valentine – the highly successful chinese entrepreneur behind Ling’s Cars, talking about her vile-looking (but hugely profitable) website.
She was pushed on stage inside a BBC dalek, from which she presented her talk, once Jon Hicks and Andy Clarke had removed its top. I had to go on after she’d done a chinese cover version of a Tom Jones song, and was wheeled off, still in her dalek. How could anyone follow that?
The conference had a Hendrix-style rendition of the welsh national anthem, an acrobat, a letter to the web industry written and read out by an 8 year old, and finished with a male voice choir. And the talks were good, too!
Craig announced that this was the last Handheld, which is a shame, but stopping when you’re on top form is a great way to be remembered well. I want to thank him and his partner Amy for putting on a great show and inviting me to be a part of it.
Buy "Calling For The Moon", my debut album of songs I wrote while living in Thailand, India, Turkey. (Only £2, on Bandcamp.)
6 Responses to “ Handheld Conference 2013 review ”
You did great! Well performed and hilarious. Thank you!
Thanks for the kind words Bruce.
You nailed it. Next stop, Wembley.
I never usually comment, usually I’m far too lazy. But I have to say. You were great! I’ve had the song stuck in my head since the conference! Driving everyone insane really 😀
[…] being played Hendrix-style on the guitar through to gymnasts climbing high into the air. For me, Bruce Lawson’s comedic guitar performances and the open letter to the industry were […]
You were fantastic, and you don’t give yourself enough credit. The lyrics were a great giggle and it was performed with style!