The Temperance Cafe

Another long drive but an early start, a sunny day and an easy journey meant that we arrived at the Temperance Cafe in Leamington Spa just after 2pm and when the midday show featuring two members of the band Razorlight had just finished.

Setup and sound check was completed by 3.15 giving us four hours before show time. Time to begin a new tour blog and then go for a walk down to the river.

The Temperance is a magnificent Grade II listed building, centrally located in Leamington Spa between the station and the Parade. It is not just a cafe but also a perfect small venue for music. The performance space is intimate with room for around 50 people in front of the stage with additional seating just outside with a big screen showing the stage. It has a professional PA and four cameras. This show was live streamed giving a greater chance for people to see and hear Ray’s music. The concert was recorded and available on catch up for at least two weeks after the show. It’s free to watch and you don’t have to be signed up to Facebook to each it. Click here for the livestream recording.

The picture above shows the owner, Adrian, with Ray on the stage. Adrian took over the building in 2016, completely refurbished it as a vegan cafe, damp-proofed the basement music space and opened in 2018. He curates live blues and folk music, adding comedy evenings, showing National Theatre productions and other films. A very modern space in a venerable Victorian spa town.