Friendly, lively city with some great music venues (Cluny is great). On the other side of the river is the fabulous Sage - a concert hall type venue. Surrounded by amazing countryside, but bloomin' cold for us southern softies!
Can't you take it in on a carnet? Will cost (£400 ish) but is the official way of taking kit across borders if it is coming back again. Doesn't help for merch though.
Something different. As @Dad3353says, a bass is a bass (at least is is to the vast majority of band mates and even larger majority of punters), so take the opportunity to enjoy something different.
Had a similar experience with Van Morrison. Got to see him twice in two weeks. First time stunning, second time, as you said, was like listening to a CD.
Went with @Mickeyboroto see Del Amitri following a thread on here about an excellent documentary about them. Fortunately the support band were great...
Was a huge fan of Costello and Sade (yes, weird mix I know), and Sade was a highlight for me.
Was there at Wembley for this, so only saw the bits of the US show that was on very old technology giant screens between the UK acts. Great day.
Was rehearsing (rhythm guitar) with a big band many years ago when the pianist, immediately behind me, fell off his stool. After the initial laugh at a bit of clumsiness I realised the poor man wasn't messing and had sadly died from a heart attack.
Time to revive this thread - recorded in 2011 but only released this year, and one of my Christmas CDs, a highly recommended offering from Mavis Staples and Levon Helm, Carry Me Home. Sample of the album here:
Congratulations on a bold project! Looks great.
As for riff requests, it would be great if you did the demo in the style of Ed Friedland or our very own @Dood playing the same short riff/motif through all the different settings.