John Robins: Where Is My Mind?

Where Is My Mind by The Pixies plays while the audience sits, as punters subconsciously mouth lyrics and reminisce about the last time they heard the anthem. The song marks the theme of the show, with memories of indie nights and past loves moulding the structure of the performance.

Robins kicks off with a bout of self-deprecation, recounting awkward teenage years. The song signals a formative time of his life from when he found acceptance in the indie scene filled with other slightly awkward /eye-contact-averting/farthing-collecting individuals.Tales of growing up and personal stories of ailments portray an endearing comic who uses his self-consciousness to connect with the audience.

Using music to describe the development of his character,  reflective moments are introduced via motivational quotations from The Great Gatsby to illustrate his take on life.

His anecdotes resonate, as topics of relationships and emotional affiliations with music appeal to all. The show slows down from the initial flurry of memories, to a thoughtful conclusion, as John describes the all-too-familiar feeling of facing nostalgia with reality – through Facebook.

There’s a balance between provoking, outlandish humour and measured philosophical comments. Plus laughter and music, it’s a winning combination.