Hello everyone,
I hope your week is going well so far. As most of you know, it was Kirstyfest on Sunday 12th October, meeting in Soho Square at 12pm. My friend, Reece Scane, came along with me this year. I greeted everyone and gave the welcome speech at the bench before we sang ‘Soho Square’, ‘Don’t Come The Cowboy With Me Sonny Jim!’ and ‘Terry’. Paul Chinniah and Dong Woo-Kang played the guitars. William Nightingale uploaded a video of us singing ‘Soho Square’ to the ‘Kirstyfest’ Facebook group.
https://www.facebook.com/william.nightingale.5/videos/1578805269963904/?idorvanity=552711574916196
We were back at The Spice Of Life again. As many of you know, we were at The Wheatsheaf last year due to The Spice Of Life being closed for a refurbishment at the time. There were over 90 people there, including some who attended for the first time. I was the first one to perform, playing ‘They Don’t Know’, ‘Chip Shop’ and ‘The Hardest Word’ with Reece on drums. I also sang ‘Lullaby For Ezra’ accompanied by Dong-Woo on guitar and Reece on drums.
The day after Kirstyfest, Reece uploaded a video of us performing ‘The Hardest Word’.
Next, Paul Chinniah performed ‘Moving Out’ (with a bridge and coda written by him), ‘Fifteen Minutes’ and ‘Shutting The Doors’ with Reece on drums. His wife, Sue, joined him on ‘Head’, ‘Still Life’ and ‘The Butcher Boy’.
Penny Neal, the lead singer of the Kirsty covers band, Kite, sang ‘Free World’ with Dong-Woo on guitar and Reece on drums.
Then, she joined her two Kite bandmates on ‘Caroline’, ‘Bad’ (with Paul on harmonica), ‘Miss Otis Regrets’ (with Paul on harmonica) ‘England 2 Colombia 0’ (with Paul on harmonica, Dong-Woo on guitar and Reece on drums) and ‘Chip Shop’ (with Paul on harmonica, Dong-Woo on guitar and Reece on drums).
Next, David James Whale and his friend Lynn did a wonderful version of ‘Fairytale Of New York’ accompanied by Paul on guitar.
Afterwards, Paul performed ‘Darling, Let’s Have Another Baby’ (with Sue) and ‘Days’ (with Reece on drums).
Penny Neal and Al Hempstead sang ‘A New England’ with Paul on guitar and Reece on drums.
Paul then did a rendition of ‘Dear John’ with Reece on drums before Lynn joined them for ‘Chip Shop’.
Michael Gibbs did a very good version of ‘He’s On The Beach’ on the piano.
Like the last two years, we held an auction for the Music Fund For Cuba. It was a polystyrene aeroplane Kirsty gave to Chris Winwood after her performance at the Warwick Arts Centre on 27th October 2000. I read out a piece Chris wrote, detailing the background story to everyone. The polystyrene aeroplane was sold for £320! It may sound too much, but at least the money has gone to the charity. Al Hempstead won it along with a copy of the piece.
Musician and fan, Alan Bonner was at Kirstyfest for the first time this year. I also mentioned to everyone that he is organising ‘Kirsty MacColl – A Celebration’ at Ironworks Studios in Brighton on Friday 14th. Tickets are still available to purchase in the link below.
The quiz was created by the ‘Chip Shop’ team, who won it last year. The team consisted of Gerret, Richard, Kirsty, Deborah and Dong-Woo. Gerret read out the questions to everyone. My team and I got 19 out of 20. I received the Kirstyfest cup for the 4th time.
David James Whale, Susie Child and Dong-Woo did a great version of ‘Perfect Day’. Next, Susie performed ‘Still Life’ and ‘They Don’t Know’ (with Paul on harmonica).
Afterwards, Paul, Sue, Dong-Woo and Reece performed ‘Please Help Me, I’m Falling’, ‘Don’t Run Away From Me Now’, ‘Halloween’, ‘He’s On The Beach’, ‘In These Shoes?’, ‘Can’t Stop Killing You’, ‘Titanic Days’, ‘Things Happen’ (with Dong-Woo on lead vocals), ‘Sun On The Water’, ‘Terry’, ‘You Broke My Heart In 17 Places’ (with Dong-Woo on lead vocals) and ‘He Never Mentioned Love’.
It was great to see Louis again this year, bringing his partner and dog with him. I also met a wonderful person called Tobias Gronvall, who I first discovered through his YouTube channel. He uploaded a fantastic video about his experience attending Kirstyfest for the first time. I will be doing a video with him very soon discussing all things Kirsty, so watch this space!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1Aq054Fbw8&t=30s
We had a brilliant time and I hope to see some of you in Brighton next week on the 14th, if not next year!
From Ruby
Epic post Ruby! Almost like being there :o)
Thank you Alan. 🙂