Yer humble author hanging out with Robyn after the show
I know he's already had a lot of love from these pages in recent weeks, but the great Robyn Hitchcock is once again looming large in my mind following Friday night's concert at a tiny Ipswich venue, in front of a sold out audience of just 75 lucky punters.
'... in 1966, when I was a 13 year old boy listening to Blonde on Blonde, I used to dream of one day wearing a polka-dot shirt, blowing a harmonica and playing a slightly out of tune guitar in front of a small audience somewhere in East Anglia...' (Perfectly timed pause, followed by a big smile) '...and tonight my dream has come true..!'
In a setlist that delved deep into his vast catalogue, Robyn played a request for me (the frankly magnificent 'Be Still'), another for a mate of mine ('So You Think You're in Love') and concluded his encore with a superb cover of 'Visions of Johanna' - it really doesn't get much better for The Swede than that. Here's a 2017 live clip of the lovely 'Raymond and the Wires', also performed on Friday evening.
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7 comments:
Only 75 lucky punters huh? I'm jealous!
It really is a cool little venue. I've already seen Rozi Plain and This is the Kit there earlier this year and Rozi is set to return as a headliner in October.
I half expected album covers in front of your faces. "Hey Robyn, would you mind holding up this cover of Element of Light in front of your face? No, not like that. Just a bit lower. Yes, just below the eyes. Perfect. Say 'cheese'." This is a special night, Swede. I play a game in my head (and I bet I'm not alone) before every show I see. What will I come up with if the artist asks me what to play next? You've lived it with one of my heroes. Green with envy. Nice choice too, by the way.
Sounds just perfect for you! And with you and Rol seeing Robyn in the same week, and you and Martin seeing the Wedding Present on the same night, this corner of the blog world seems, appropriately, to be just as special, cool and well-matched as the intimate venues they played.
Saw him in Huddersfield Library on Sunday afternoon. I reckoned there were a few more than 75 people (I estimated 200, but a bunch if them appeared to be library staff getting a freebie). I hope he makes a living wage out of such small gigs!
Everything ok Swede?
Sweeeede? Where are you? We care. If you're dead (please no) can someone please let us know. If you are alive, please let us know.
It's hard to explain, but you blogger guys become family to many of us. The only people we can talk to about the things that matter to us. God knows none of my family or friends are interested in Robin Hitchcock or an alternative Sandy Denny recording or a new band from Buttsnuffle.
So please...
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