Realised I’ve talked about a bunch of random stuff that occurred but not the actual festival! Let’s see how much I can remember:
– first and foremost, the boys were on top form, energetic and chatty and cheerful and cheeky. Lots of stuff got thrown, including Peter’s guitar and several mic stands
– it was a cosy little festival, not too big a space, and the weather was lovely, and the fans were all so enthusiastic and all there for the boys, it was fab to see
– there was a video before they came onstage comprised of lots of photos and footage old and more recent, including some bits me and @missoneminute thought we hadn’t seen before, so I keep hoping they’ll put it up somewhere. An audience-filmed version is on YouTube anyway!
– Peter came out singing Chas & Dave’s Margate: “behave yourself Carlos, or you won’t be going daaaaaaahn to Margate~”
– as other folks have said already, they sang several Chas & Dave and music hall songs, and what amazes me is how they have the harmonies absolutely down! I feel like they must have done these songs many, many times over the years, haha.
– they did a lot of bantery music hall-type routines, starring Mr Spaniel and Mr Spaniel: “we didn’t wish to know that, Mr Spaniel!” (Could be a Goon Show reference in there too with that “I don’t wish to know that!” but idk. That’s something to ask about next time!) Fortunately several of these seem to have been captured on video: “This is a charity gig so we can talk as much shite as we like!”
– Peter mentioned the Big Lebowski several times but he never got very far, idk if it was a reference I wasn’t getting or what lol
– they sang What Became of the Likely Lads, but Peter seemed a bit reluctant – before they went into it he said, audibly, “Can we just go straight into Death on the Stairs?”
– at the end of the latter, he gave Carl a big ol’ lick on the cheek which made Carl launch himself away and wipe his cheek exaggeratedly lol
– they brought out Viv, the toothless old cleaning lady from the Albion Rooms, haha. “This stage is a tip!”
– as @missoneminute said already, Carl had some excellent facial expressions throughout, like his cheeky raised eyebrows at the “still in love with you” line in CSMN. I feel like in general at the past few shows they’ve done, P&C have seemed to have a great connection onstage, lots of looks and communication and smiles, it’s lovely. Me and @missoneminute kept turning to each other with happy sighs!
– and of course, the moment at the end where Peter properly leapt on Carl and there were lots of kissies and cuddles and smiles (and one ~matey shoulder punch haha)
Honestly it was such a good show, there was no sense of wanting to hurry up and get to the end, it felt like a showcase for more than just their own songs, it was everything about *them* as well, and it felt like they were having fun and wanted to give themselves a good send off. I keep forgetting it was the last one until who knows when, but that’s because it keeps sustaining me, the whole experience around it was just so perfectly Arcadian. I felt like part of something, and I’ll keep that feeling until the next time.
suchasinistergame 