The Golden Anniversary Gig

[Shane (Skirky)]

This is what was said in the November newsletter:

"In May, we’ve got something really special lined up for you. Fifty years to the day – almost to the hour, in fact – since the band’s Golders Green debut Fairport Convention returns to north London for a Golden Anniversary Gig. This celebration of our past, present and future will take place at The Union Chapel, Highbury N1 on Saturday 27 May 2017. Keep an eye on our website for box office information and details of the musical guests."

Has anyone raised this on the FB Fairporters' page? On the surface of it that does look like a massive volte face.  

[David W]

This is what was said in the November newsletter:

"In May, we’ve got something really special lined up for you. Fifty years to the day – almost to the hour, in fact – since the band’s Golders Green debut Fairport Convention returns to north London for a Golden Anniversary Gig. This celebration of our past, present and future will take place at The Union Chapel, Highbury N1 on Saturday 27 May 2017. Keep an eye on our website for box office information and details of the musical guests."

Has anyone raised this on the FB Fairporters' page? On the surface of it that does look like a massive volte face.  

I guess one could argue that the current set list and the 50:50 album is a celebration of the band's past present and future and there are no promises of who the musical gusts may be - but I agree it does seem to be throwing out a line for which some have taken the bait. A rare occasion where Fairport have maybe kicked a PR own goal and possibly alienated the devotees.

I am sure the gig will be a good one but if it is a - slightly revamped - take on the Spring tour folks who have spent money on tickets. accommodation, travel etc for what was promised as "something really special" have a right to feel a bit hard done by. BUT lets wait until the reviews come in, Fairport still have the ability to surprise and Simon's comments may be about managing expectations.

DW

[Will S]

I'm still waiting for the band to ask me to take my (bass) uke... 

Uke?  He did mention musical guests

[David W]

This is what was said in the November newsletter:

"In May, we’ve got something really special lined up for you. Fifty years to the day – almost to the hour, in fact – since the band’s Golders Green debut Fairport Convention returns to north London for a Golden Anniversary Gig. This celebration of our past, present and future will take place at The Union Chapel, Highbury N1 on Saturday 27 May 2017. Keep an eye on our website for box office information and details of the musical guests."

Has anyone raised this on the FB Fairporters' page? On the surface of it that does look like a massive volte face.  

Could someone direct me to this page please?

[Henry Tompkins (Pete)]

This is what was said in the November newsletter:

"In May, we’ve got something really special lined up for you. Fifty years to the day – almost to the hour, in fact – since the band’s Golders Green debut Fairport Convention returns to north London for a Golden Anniversary Gig. This celebration of our past, present and future will take place at The Union Chapel, Highbury N1 on Saturday 27 May 2017. Keep an eye on our website for box office information and details of the musical guests."

Has anyone raised this on the FB Fairporters' page? On the surface of it that does look like a massive volte face.  

Could someone direct me to this page please?

It's not pretty David.
My wife joined, read some comments, entered a conversation, got sworn at -  and left!  

[Bridgwit (Bridget)]

This is what was said in the November newsletter:

"In May, we’ve got something really special lined up for you. Fifty years to the day – almost to the hour, in fact – since the band’s Golders Green debut Fairport Convention returns to north London for a Golden Anniversary Gig. This celebration of our past, present and future will take place at The Union Chapel, Highbury N1 on Saturday 27 May 2017. Keep an eye on our website for box office information and details of the musical guests."

Has anyone raised this on the FB Fairporters' page? On the surface of it that does look like a massive volte face.  

Could someone direct me to this page please?

It's not pretty David.
My wife joined, read some comments, entered a conversation, got sworn at -  and left!  

That would seem to be the norm for Facebook these days  

[Andy]

This is what was said in the November newsletter:

"In May, we’ve got something really special lined up for you. Fifty years to the day – almost to the hour, in fact – since the band’s Golders Green debut Fairport Convention returns to north London for a Golden Anniversary Gig. This celebration of our past, present and future will take place at The Union Chapel, Highbury N1 on Saturday 27 May 2017. Keep an eye on our website for box office information and details of the musical guests."

Has anyone raised this on the FB Fairporters' page? On the surface of it that does look like a massive volte face.  

Could someone direct me to this page please?

Well, it's the page entitled "Fairporters" on Facebook.

I don't think there's much to be gained from embarassing Simon there, though. I'm pretty sure he neither wrote nor read the Newsletter contents and he'd be rather surprised  at this statement.

[Shane (Skirky)]

Just to be clear, I wasn't suggesting that someone did raise the point, I was asking if anyone had. This may have been an unfortunate instance of someone taking their eye off the ball if an operation quite as 'cottage industry' as the FC office put out something saying they had something 'really special' lined up in their official newsletter only for one of the proprietors to say, closer to the event and with ticket sales secured, that there "may be" some input from friends of the band. With respect, I think any conclusions about the nature of the show weren't necessarily 'leapt to' on our part.

[davidmjs]

Just to be clear, I wasn't suggesting that someone did raise the point, I was asking if anyone had. This may have been an unfortunate instance of someone taking their eye off the ball if an operation quite as 'cottage industry' as the FC office put out something saying they had something 'really special' lined up in their official newsletter only for one of the proprietors to say, closer to the event and with ticket sales secured, that there "may be" some input from friends of the band. With respect, I think any conclusions about the nature of the show weren't necessarily 'leapt to' on our part.

Spot on.

[Andy]

Well we'll find out soon enough.

We have a spare ticket, by the way, for "unreserved seating", so if anyone is interested (asking face value: £26 ) IM me.

[Dubai Danny]

Just downloaded our tickets, and this is what they say...



Edit: External image removed

I'm not expecting a Cropredy-style cavalcade of guests, but it would seem a bit odd to call it a "50th birthday party + friends" if it's just going to be the same gig that could be seen on any night of the wintour.

I think everybody's expectation has been for this to be a bit more special than simply a regular FC gig that just happens to be fifty years to the day of their very first one - would that be a reasonable summation?

[PJayBe]

Just downloaded our tickets, and this is what they say...



I'm not expecting a Cropredy-style cavalcade of guests, but it would seem a bit odd to call it a "50th birthday party + friends" if it's just going to be the same gig that could be seen on any night of the wintour.

I think everybody's expectation has been for this to be a bit more special than simply a regular FC gig that just happens to be fifty years to the day of their very first one - would that be a reasonable summation?

That was my thought when booking, booking time off work, booking hotels, etc, etc, etc........  

[Andy]

As well as our spare ticket for this event, we also have a spare ticket for the Pink Floyd Exhibition at the V&A. Time slot: 11:15 Sunday.

Face value wanted: £26

Email me at andrewjohnleslie@gmail.com if you are interested.

https://www.vam.ac.uk/exhibitions/pink-floyd

[Bridgwit (Bridget)]

As well as our spare ticket for this event, we also have a spare ticket for the Pink Floyd Exhibition at the V&A. Time slot: 11:15 Sunday.

Face value wanted: £26

Email me at andrewjohnleslie@gmail.com if you are interested.

https://www.vam.ac.uk/exhibitions/pink-floyd

I wish I could go. I know that's no help to you at all Andy but I'd really like to go to both!

[giottoscircle (Robert)]

Never been to a gig at Union Chapel but reading here about getting seats, so:
How early do I need to queue to get a good seat? Don't need front row but like to be close enough to have a good stab at who the "friends" are.

[Adam]

Never been to a gig at Union Chapel but reading here about getting seats, so:
How early do I need to queue to get a good seat? Don't need front row but like to be close enough to have a good stab at who the "friends" are.

I reckon 30-45 mins before the doors open should get you a decent seat. Mind you, I don't think that there are any really bad seats (just hard on the posterior!)

[JJ (Joanna)]

Never been to a gig at Union Chapel but reading here about getting seats, so:
How early do I need to queue to get a good seat? Don't need front row but like to be close enough to have a good stab at who the "friends" are.

I reckon 30-45 mins before the doors open should get you a decent seat. Mind you, I don't think that there are any really bad seats (just hard on the posterior!)

Take a cushion...  

[Dubai Danny]

The crowd assembles...



Edit: Great photo, but sorry no hot linking. Attach using 'Aditional Options..' Colin

[Tim Fletcher]

The view from the gods.

[attachment deleted by admin]

[Dubai Danny]

Well, that was OK. Not great, and not a particular celebration of 50 years - the setlist wasn't much to shout about - but OK. But then, this was the first time I've seen the band since Cropredy 2007, so there was a certain novelty value to it.