After the art and theatre, back to music gigs. This one was Reverend & the Makers, which I attended with my mate's 21 year old. That in itself was great, as he had just returned from a stint with the VSO in Ethiopia. After stories of having one's appendix out in an Ethiopian hospital, the inevitable infection that followed, the cockroaches and jumping spiders, the misogyny, and juvenile drinking and smoking, well let's say Ethiopia has dropped off my bucket list. But no doubt great experience for the lad. And he came out of it all with a new girlfriend, so there is always a bright side.
The gig was at the Scala in King's Cross. A very small (should I say compact) venue. As we arrived early we got right at the front centre. Now I did see the Reverend supporting Oasis at Wembley stadium where, to be honest, he was speck in the distance. Here he was so close I could touch him.
First support were pretty good, but remain nameless. Second were very good - Bibelots. Lead singer really has a voice. They have potential.
The Reverend (alias Jon McClure) is stunningly Northern. That scally feel. Talks too fast, wears a hoodie, plenty of swagger. He is from Sheffield, and it just so happens I have a friend who is a real Reverend in Sheffield by vocation. He told me a story that he had gone into his daughters old old secondary school, and the two pupils showing him in immediately said, "Are you Reverend, like in the Makers?"!
Sadly I think he had to disappoint them that he was the real thing, rather than the much more exciting imposter.
It was great set, although he apologised for not being quite as energetic on stage as normal due to chronic back ache. As he explained, he was watching Sheffield Wednesday get promotion at the weekend and to quote "some fat fucker" jumped on his back in celebration. But the band was seriously good - a very enjoyable gig. And nice to have a chat with young Olly over a few pints. I remember him as a babe in arms. Now he has designer stubble. Am getting old.
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