A few weekends back was the first time I had ventured out to London town in god only knows how long! And gosh was it a weekend a long time coming! Months ago I saw a flyer for Dingwalls 25th Anniversary special gig with the one and only Big Sandy and the Fly Rite trio as soon as I saw this I knew I had to go because being a fan of the big man for quite some time and only seeing him once and that was last year, I still had a lot of catching up to do, what made the idea of having a night out in London even better was the fact that the Hillbilly Hop was relaunching the night before, so why not make a weekend of it I thought, so me and the fella booked up our classy travel lodge (only top quality for moi...) and decided that was the weekend for us!
It is actually amazing how time flies, because before we knew it, the weekend was upon us so heading to London we checked in and glammed ourselves up for the first of two long nights in London town. The Hillbilly Hop had three great acts on which first sold it to me, I am a girl that likes to watch a band so this was a must for me, and luckily the beautiful Ruby Ann, Bill Fadden and the Tagalongs and Mr Dollar Bill were all on the line up, what a night!
A couple of my girls and me!
I'd heard about the Hop quite some time ago but never managed to go when it used to be open so I was glad that I went to this gig because it was such a fab night, they definitely got the crowd they wanted for a reopening, so many people that I hadn't seen in so long so it was great to catch up with everyone! Bill Fadden's band new band were completely different to what I was expecting compared to his past bands where they have been straight out rockabilly, this one had a good variation of different styles with him singing the Lee Dresser classic doing the rounds at the moment El Camino Real and Benny Joys hit Little Red Book, definitely a band I want to see again.
Ruby Ann and Dollar Bill I'd seen previously and have always thought they were both great at what they do, a long ole night for someone on J2O's all night but I managed it but was glad to hit the hay at the end of it!
Sunday came and it was Dingwalls time! Yes Big Sandy time! Unfortunately we didn't arrive there until later but my god when we got there, I've never seen so many people in such a small space! Obviously everyone had the same idea about going there because lets face it there isn't many chances to see Big Sandy in the UK but luckily this year I'll get to see him twice with him also being at the Rockabilly Rave this summer (I cannot wait!).
In the hotel, as you do
Don't we look glam?
So we got there around 6 and we got there just in time for the Caezars coming on but unfortunately didn't see much of them because I had to help my friend do a photo shoot (ohh the things I do!) but of what I heard they sounded great as usual with AJ and the boys giving it 110% . Without trying to sound too fluffy I was a bit gutted that there wasn't enough room to dance because of the amount of people but you expect this with Dingwalls because everyone's cramming to have a jive or bop, but never the less had I had the best time.
Big Sandy certainly pulled the crowd in when he came on singing his big hits such as Chalking it up to the blues and Thru Dreaming and also was talking to the crowd like he'd known us for years. Audience participation is always good! Especially when he was asking everyone their first record they bought and his guitarist starting singing Message to you Rudy and then others starting singing Crazy Cavan, ohh lordy lord was there a mix but the crowd loved it and so did I! Unfortunately it went to quick but by the end of the night when the Dj's were back on everyone were dancing on the stage after the bands cleared up and there wasn't any room to swing a cat, I attempted to have a go (not swing a cat that is!) but kept getting hit here there and everywhere by other couples giving it some (oo er missus!)
I noticed both nights that even though I didn't drink which is a rarity for me I had the best of times even though I thought I'd be bored from not drinking, it sure was great not waking up with a hangover! It was nice to get glammed up again because I hadn't been out in yonks, more times like this ahead please, well when I have money and not a continuous amount of work to do .
Until Next Time
Toodle Pip
xxx
No comments:
Post a Comment