San Francisco is always a joy to play, and the crowd at the Chapel looked extra trippy bathed in the Mad Alchemist light show. The Mad Alchemist is actually a man called Lance, and Lance is also the name of the large, ancient tortoise who appears in the video that we shot in LA before this California tour commenced - watch for him when the video’s out sometime next month.

Big Sur was a different kind of fun - a WiFi dead zone populated by giant redwood trees that stretch up into a canopy of evergreen. The HipNic festival is a boutique gathering in the dusty fields beside a clear water creek. It was great to watch the other acts in action: Chuck Prophet, the consummate showman, wowed the crowd two days running, and the Mother Hips anchored the festival, as ever, with their archetypal California groove. Sitting out in the morning sunshine, I was able to savour a transcendent set by my wife Emma Swift, flanked by her angel guitarists, Rick Lollar on electric guitar and Luther Russell on acoustic 12-string. Luther later joined Big Star alumnus Jody Stephens for a fine set of acoustic harmony songs.

Now we’re plunging down into Los Angeles, the sun lowering to the funky stoner folk-rock of Crosby, Stills & Nash. I’ve been playing in California for 40 years now, following in the wake of all the great gatefold sleeves that paved the way for younger musicians from other lands, myself included. The thrill of heading for the pulsing aorta of a mighty city is still a big one for me. Tomorrow and Wednesday, I get to rock LA again - twice!

Love on ya,

Robyn H