Practice is an important part of the band lifestyle Practice is an important part of the band lifestyle. Members spend hours on finger work to be able to play trickier chords and riffs in songs.

All the band have to learn to read basic music, as they don’t write tabs. They input the songs into special software so they can practice at home alongside the recorded versions of the other instruments.

Practice happens every day, as the individual band members take time to try new songs, perfect old ones and occasionally write their own.

All the guitarists learn to tune by ear, and practicing tuning their guitar often as different songs require different tuning throughout gig set lists.

The bassist surrounds himself with his love of music, filling his room with guitars and posters from gigs he’s attended.

Guitarists are free to get creative and run around with the audience to keep the gig interesting and lively.

When the gig starts, those on stage enjoy themselves just as much if not more than those in the crowd. They see it as part of their payment, since making money from these small gigs is virtually impossible.

With wireless PA systems, having a bit of fun is easier as health and safety for the crowd is less of an issue.

The vocalist, Maddie, loves being on stage The vocalist, Maddie, loves being on stage. But being shy she hides behind hair flips and the other band members most of the time. The minute she starts flipping her hair, the crowd joins in though. The regulars of Hirondelle’s gigs make bets on how long it take for her to start flipping her hair.

With dreams of fame in magazines such as NME and Kerrang, the band take it in turns to practice their front page shots. They try keep their spirits up as people ring saying they aren’t able to be at the gig.