FREEWORLD all I ever wanted
Two days ago, Matt Heaven uploaded an officially unreleased Bryan Adams and Kirsty song called ‘We’ll Get By’. It was written by Jim Vallance and Bryan. According to Colin Stuart on the ‘Kirsty MacColl Fan Gang’ Facebook group, neither of them liked it, so it was shelved.
From Ruby
Hello everyone,
I hope your week has gone off to a very good start. As many of you know, it was Kirstyfest on Sunday 11th October, gathering in Soho Square at 12pm. My Mum accompanied me. To celebrate the 25th anniversary of Kirstyfest this year, Jonathan Oakley and Dong-Woo Kang designed ‘Kirsty MacColl Bench 25 Years In Soho Square’ t-shirts with the original design by Russ Iden in 2005. Jonathan gave out the t-shirts to those who wanted to collect theirs at Kirstyfest, including me.
I greeted everyone and gave the welcome speech at the bench. Unfortunately, Joanne Coulthard who attended Kirstyfest a number of times over the years and was one of the organisers, passed away a few months ago. She was a wonderful person and always supported me. I first met her in person at Kirstyfest 17 years ago. We held a two minutes silence in memory of her. Then, we sang ‘Soho Square’ and ‘Don’t Come The Cowboy With Me Sonny Jim!’ with Dong-Woo playing the electric guitar. William Nightingale filmed my speech and the performances.
Afterwards, we went to The Spice Of Life for more celebrations. There were over 80 people there, including some who attended for the first time. Gerret Lorenzen read a heart warming message that Shane MacGowan’s sister, Siobhan wrote to him about Kirsty:
“Hi everyone
The Kirsty covers band, Kite did a brilliant set. They performed ‘Caroline’, ‘Innocence’, ‘He’s On The Beach’, ‘Fifteen Minutes’, ‘Don’t Come The Cowboy With Me Sonny Jim!’, ‘Bad’, ‘All I Ever Wanted’, ‘What Do Pretty Girls Do?’, ‘Tread Lightly’, ‘England 2 Colombia 0’, ‘Soho Square’, ‘You Just Haven’t Earned It Yet, Baby’, ‘A New England’ and ‘Chip Shop’ (with Paul Chinniah on harmonica).
A short video of ‘Caroline’ was uploaded by Eric Rirsch on the ‘Kirstyfest’ Facebook group.
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1618862949971232
Paul Chinniah uploaded their rendition of ‘He’s On The Beach’.
https://www.facebook.com/reel/944249151702640
Next, Michael Gibbs did his own rendition of ‘Don’t Come The Cowboy With Me Sonny Jim!’.
Paul and his wife, Sue did a wonderful acapella version of ‘The Butcher Boy’ as well as doing ‘Miss Otis Regrets’ and ‘Days’.
There was an online prize draw for a signed copy of the book, ‘Billy Bragg: A People’s History’, but the winner wasn’t announced due to technical issues. Amanda Graddage was eventually announced as the winner by Gerret Lorenzen on the ‘Kirsty MacColl Fan Gang’ and ‘Kirstyfest’ Facebook groups. £270 was raised for the Music Fund For Cuba.
Afterwards, Paul sang and played the guitar on ‘Moving Out’ with Dong-Woo, ‘Please Help Me, I’m Falling’ with Sue and ‘Shutting The Doors’.
Dong-Woo performed ‘Last Day Of Summer’ and ‘Sun On The Water’. He accompanied Joanne Fowler on ‘Other People’s Hearts’ and ‘Things Happen’.
Like the last three years, we held an auction for the Music Fund For Cuba. It was a spare grey ‘Kirsty MacColl Bench 25 Years In Soho Square’ t-shirt. It was auctioned for £45.
Afterwards, we did the quiz for this year. I created and read it out to everyone. Most of them found the quiz tough, but fun. ‘Fender’, who were the winning team got 12 out of 30 and won the Kirstyfest cup. They also received a card I wrote to them, with a photo of Kirsty on the front. John Meranda donated the ‘They Don’t Know’, ‘A New England’ and ‘He’s On The Beach’ picture discs and the ‘Innocence’ CD single as prizes. He sent them to me, hoping that they would arrive on time for Kirstyfest. Unfortunately, they arrived at my house after the event. I told ‘Fender’ that they were getting the singles and that I would eventually send them.
Kite did great versions of ‘Days’, ‘Terry’ (with Paul on harmonica) and ‘They Don’t Know’.
A short clip of ‘Terry’ was uploaded by Emma Sansom-Davies.
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1110644395259266
Musician and fan, Alan Bonner was there for the second time this year. I also mentioned to everyone that he is running ‘Kirsty MacColl – A Celebration’ at Ironworks Studios in Brighton on Friday 20th. Tickets are still available to buy in the link below.
Louis was there with his partner and it was great to see him.
We had an amazing time and I hope to see some of you in Brighton on the 20th, if not next year!
From Ruby
Kirsty would have turned 67 today.
Stephen Ide has uploaded a tribute reel on the ‘Kirstyfest’ Facebook group.
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1833879181115206
I’m looking forward to seeing some of you tomorrow!
Ruby
10th October 2026 would have been Kirsty’s 67th Birthday.
Friends, family and fans will meet and gather around Kirsty’s bench in Soho Square at 12pm on Sunday 11th October for a few songs. We will go to The Spice Of Life afterwards for more celebrations that include singing, music, food, drinks, a quiz and lots of fun!
There is a prize draw for a signed copy of the book, ‘Billy Bragg: A People’s History’. The end time has changed, so that it finishes at 2:30pm on the 11th. We will be announcing the winner. All the money raised from the draw will go to the Music Fund For Cuba.
Places downstairs at The Spice Of Life are limited to 100 people. There is also a bar upstairs.
We are looking forward to seeing you all!
From Ruby
On Saturday 26th September, Canadian band Male Order Brides uploaded the video for their cover of ‘They Don’t Know’. It is included in their new album, ‘Downtown Love’ and features guest vocals by Leah Markun. The video was filmed at PCV Records in Oakville, Canada.
From Ruby
British band Departure Lounge and Tim Keegan recorded the Kirsty classic in 1998. They have recently included it as a bonus track to the deluxe edition of their album ‘Out Of Here’. It was originally released as the B-side to their 7″ single, ‘Save Me From Happiness’ under the name Tim Keegan & The Homer Lounge.
From Ruby
Available on vinyl for the first time since its initial 1981, ‘Desperate Character’ is now reissued on green vinyl exclusive for National Album Day celebrating musical Icons! Produced by Barry “Bazza” Farmer, Kirsty’s debut studio album includes ‘There’s a Guy Works Down the Chip Shop Swears He’s Elvis,” which hit #14 on the UK Singles Chart. The album is also released as a 2CD deluxe edition with 8 bonus tracks, alongside a 12-page booklet containing lyrics.💚
Head over to your local participating store on 17th of October to pick up your copy, or pre-order now: https://kirsty.lnk.to/DesperateCharacterNAD
More info over at nationalalbumday.co.uk
#NationalAlbumDay #IconicAlbums
or look out on facebook for Demonmusicgroup and AlbumDayUK !
On Monday the 14th, Pete Roberts re-uploaded his great Kirsty tribute video.
From Ruby
‘Too Good For This World’ was written by Philip Rambow as part of the ‘Justice For Kirsty’ committee fundraising efforts in 2005.
They were planning a musical that would contain Kirsty’s songs and originals. This was Philip’s first proposal. Ted Wadley Jr and Jolene Carter sing on this track. There are 2 versions of the song. This is the first.
You can download the song for free in the link below, but if you choose to pay, all proceeds from the sales will go to the Cuban Music Fund, a charity Kirsty supported.
https://philiprambow.bandcamp.com/track/too-good-for-this-world
From Ruby
Demon Records are releasing a Limited Edition GREEN VINYL version of Desperate Character as well as a new 2CD edition on 17th October, Cat No. DEMREC1383.
If you want to pre-order a copy, go to https://kirsty.lnk.to/DesperateCharacterNAD
Visit the Kirsty Guest Book to leave your thoughts and memories about Kirsty.
Visit Kirsty fans or Kirsty MacColl Fan Gang on facebook
The next Kirstyfest is due to take place at noon in Soho Square, London on Sunday 11th October 2026.
see that girl
© Rita Carmo
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