But for a fan, the experience was without equal... imagine all your favourite Mostly Autumn songs and a band that's having so much fun they sometimes can't play for laughing... probably about 100 fans (friends) in a room so tiny it's smaller than the stage of the last venue I saw them at...
Umm... ok...
Christmas carols, beer, jokes and stories, snowball fights, more beer, arguing over what to play, forgetting songs, re-learning songs, dressing up as Abba, (too much beer), Father Christmas, discovering that not only can Iain play "Misty" but Troy can sing it (my father used to sing it...sniffle), ah... it's completely pointless writing a review because words make it sound too cold and it was just... wonderful.
Right. Thats it!!!
Next year I am going to this thing even if I have to throw a sickie from work.
I want to dress up as ABBA. Well, the blonde one anyway.
It was a very special evening (you could even say magical after Troys card tricks late on!) - its nights like that, and the way the band treat their fans in general that makes all the effort, planning, driving, flying etc worthwhile.
I cant really add to whats already been said, there was no question this would be a night to remember and the band lived up to it. One of the highlights (one of many) for me had to of been Liam's little dance at the end of M.C.E, a side of him we hardly get to see. Not too sure what Troy's fill in song was all about, something about killing your wife and dancing on her grave?? Im sure someone will put me right!
My advice to anyone going next year would be to avoid standing under the lights at the sides, Blakey is the only place I have ever been where you have to duck to see the band! We were at the back but with Sarah measuring in at 5ft she had no chance of seeing anything. The pain I go through for her eh!
It was cool to meet up with Dave T and Patrick after, nice to put a face to a name. Everyone I talk to seems so friendly, I think it must be something the band generates.
I can recomend camping for the xmas gig, the cool fresh air really wakes you up in the morning, dont let the ice on the tent put you off, the views once the fog had lower'd were stunning.
Big thanks go out to Paul for putting on the gig. It really is a magic place....or was that just Troy N his tricks??