Gig Night Report ’23 – Emi S
This year’s first of three gig nights happened on Saturday, with a range of pop and rock acts to fulfil anyone’s desire for live music. With the second gig night of the year fast approaching (the form is already out!), it’s time to reflect on the most recent one.
Pop acts this year included Hebe M, who opened the night with Waterloo (ABBA), and Nik P, who sang Get Lucky (Daft Punk), adapting the electronic style with a funkier bassline. Kristina K and Daria C sang a duet with Sunday Morning (Maroon 5), whilst Bella F revived some 70’s disco with Young Hearts Run Free (Candi Stanton). Imogen T also adapted White Flag (Dido), playing piano once again with a string group, and Martha K brought some flair to Good Looking (Suki Waterhouse).
Ballads this year included the All of Me (John Legend) sung by Ella I, and Set Fire to the Rain (Adele), sung by Gabi O – both putting their all into emotional performances. Issey M and Ioli L performed more contemplatively, but with none the less emotion, singing Slipping Through My Fingers (ABBA) and What Was I Made For? (Billie Eilish) respectively. Jake A completed the ballads with Don’t Let the Sun Go Down (Elton John) towards the end of the night.
Both Jake A and Hatty D were brilliant compères this year, entertaining the audience as well as managing to incite a (somewhat ear-piercing) rendition of ‘Happy Birthday’ from the audience for Mrs Finley.
Oli B opened the rock acts with the iconic Everlong (Foo Fighters). Two sibling performances took to the stage this year – Daniil D (vocals) and Denis D (drums) performed Stylish Office Man (Valentin Strykalo), whereas Ned C (vocals) and Charlie C (drums) performed Mr Brightside (The Killers). A bit of classic rock didn’t go amiss either, with Livin’ on a Prayer (Bon Jovi), sung by Georgi L, and an impressive drum solo by Katya D to introduce Money For Nothing (Dire Straits). We were even treated to some Radiohead in the form of Erin K’s stripped-back rendition of Creep; Tan A-D similarly adapted his performance of Lucid Dreams (Juice WRLD).
The evening wouldn’t be complete without some jazzier tunes though – Daniel O gave us a punchy performance of I Feel Good (James Brown), complete with a sax quartet, as did Jerry T with If Ain’t Got You (Alicia Keys). Harry R mellowed the mood with Just the Way You Are (Billy Joel), accompanied by Beau L on saxophone, before Raphael O raised the roof with This Christmas (Donny Hathaway) – I think we can mostly agree it’s close enough to December for this, but I’m not sure about Mr Brightwell…
The night was concluded by Jake A’s performance of American Pie (Don McLean), with which the audience enjoyed joining in – especially the choruses (yes, all seven of them).
Massive props to all performers and accompanists – particularly those who played multiple songs such as Ed R (who was also playing with concussion), Jack E, Oli A-A, Beau L, Lex A, Mia D, Freddie T, and the rest of house band. And Mrs Double has to get a mention – she’s the reason we’ve all been able to perform so fluently and hold gig nights as such large occasions.
The next gig night will take place on February 10th, so make sure to book your tickets asap!
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