Wintour 2025

[JJ (Joanna)]

It was a fab night last night, great set list and musically brilliant, a great night.
Last year Simon was ill with covid, good to have them all in their correct positions and performing so well song after song, an utterly jaw dropping Sloth!
 I think 2 years ago DM on drums seemed to drown out almost everything but this year the sound was perfectly balanced, loved DM on keyboards too.
Rising for the Moon aaah just perfect!  

[Shane (Skirky)]

Another thumbs up from an occasional Fairport sceptic. There are already set spoilers up there ^ but suffice to say you do not want to be late back from the interval and you will definitely not want to skip out early to beat the queue for the bar at half time!
There’s been quite a freshen up to the running order with - to my mind at least - a healthy pruning of more recent material and a re instigation of a few songs to which (or maybe because) DM can bring a healthy robustness on drums, and a remarkable atmosphere on keyboard. Not concurrently, but I wouldn’t put it past him!
I was up in the balcony for a nearly sold-out Apex, so behind the PA and pretty much level with the backline, which afforded a great opportunity to watch the master at work, as well as catch a few onstage interactions, however either the monitor mixes were impeccable or the FOH was perfectly balanced as the sound was clear as a bell (if necessarily drum-heavy From where I sat) throughout.
Chris is in astonishing voice - the opening to I’m Already There was incredible, Peggy maybe less so   - but when all three of them are in unison, it’s a thing of wonder. Ric’s monologue has a genuinely touching bent to it, and even the psychedelics helpline gag lands with a proper ker-tishhh.
For those who like to check this sort of thing, there’s plenty of electric twelve string, and Chris plays more fiddle than whistle. If you were wavering, I would thoroughly recommend a trip out to celebrate the fortieth anniversary of the album that got me into FC, made at the time by a bunch of washed-up thirty somethings. Who’d’ve thought?  

[Harbottle (Martin)]

I notice they're doing Leamington Spa, so I just got myself a ticket. A short trip down the road from Cov.
I'm guessing this replaces the Stratford show? I think I read it had closed.

The setlist looks good. I saw them in Solihull a few years back with Mattacks back on drums and thoroughly enjoyed it, so I'm looking forward to this.

[davidmjs]

Be afraid.  I've just bought one of the relatively few remaining tickets for Hexham...

[Will S]

Be afraid.  I've just bought one of the relatively few remaining tickets for Hexham...

Gasp!  Shock horror as davidmjs goes to see modern Fairport!  

Hope that you enjoy the show, David!

[GubGub (Al)]

Be afraid.  I've just bought one of the relatively few remaining tickets for Hexham...

Gasp!  Shock horror as davidmjs goes to see modern Fairport!  

Hope that you enjoy the show, David!

David can substitute for me. I rarely miss a wintour but didn't book for Worthing last night as I wasn't sure I'd be fit enough. As it happens I was but had a bit of a rough weekend in other ways so between the ticket cost, the terrible parking anywhere near the Connaught and the shortage of public transport on a Sunday evening I couldn't summon up the energy to go. I may regret it I. The long term but I have several exciting gigs lined up during the rest of the year.

[davidmjs]

Be afraid.  I've just bought one of the relatively few remaining tickets for Hexham...

Gasp!  Shock horror as davidmjs goes to see modern Fairport!  

Hope that you enjoy the show, David!

It'll be the first time since a quite frankly appalling F(A)C gig in Chester in 2010 which after the amazing Barbican gig the previous year put me off the then current band for, I thought, ever.  I have had tickets for the Brasenose gig and the Full House band since but didn't make either for various reasons.  I'm actually genuinely looking forward to it.  Liking Hexham a lot (and the venue) helps.

[davidmjs]

ps Q to those who've been - merch opportunities?

[Amethyst (Jenny)]

ps Q to those who've been - merch opportunities?

I really hope you will enjoy the gig David!

[Shane (Skirky)]

ps Q to those who've been - merch opportunities?

Books, programmes, CDs, t-shirts, hats.
When I went past the stall post gig Peggy had already turned up for a natter.

[wayne stote]

Another excellent show in Wakefield, yesterday evening, with a one song difference from the setlist posted by GraemeH. Hoping to catch them in Swansea in a couple of weeks time, if I can get it organised. It really was good enough to experience twice.

[David W]

Anyone know what electric is Simon playing - the red and white one?

DW

[Peter Allen]

I'll just be happy to hear that he is playing electric

[davidmjs]

I'll just be happy to hear that he is playing electric

Ha - that was literally my response as well

[David W]

I'll just be happy to hear that he is playing electric

Ha - that was literally my response as well

I have been informed it is a Danelectro 12 string - The Jangler

DW

[davidmjs]

So....Hexham last night

To the nitty gritty: the setlist was as per the spoiler* with a geographical specific song in place of the second item, second half.

I was genuinely emotional throughout the gig...it was both an absolute pleasure and a joy, and I'm so glad I 'made myself' go, rather against my better judgement.  After 15 years, it's a bloody great monkey off my back.

There are probably set-list specific reasons why it really worked for someone like me (only a couple - and imho - the best of Chris's narrative songs etc.), and there was only one song that really didn't work at all for me (clue: not 'theirs', it's on the last album).  But the main reason - the absolute rock of that performance?  DM...both on drums *and* on his 'hobbyist' keyboarding.  Take him out for the rest of the year and I simply can't imagine me feeling remotely the same.

But, no, that was exactly how I want to see this mature Fairport - I was just thinking as I was watching, Simon was only a year or two older than me the last time I saw them.  It's true what they say about time...grab it all while you can.  Long may they run.

Had a chat to Peggy before the gig and bought the (excellent) GPs CD.  Are there no tour tees this year btw - I didn't see any (only some shirts from Peggy and Ralph's tour)

ps* assuming the encore was 'just' the normal one...I a) wanted to get back to Cumbria and b) didn't want to be a blubbing mess so I skipped out after Matty.

pps I'm down in Sidmouth when they're playing in Exeter...now, I wonder...

[Shane (Skirky)]

I was genuinely emotional throughout the gig...it was both an absolute pleasure and a joy, and I'm so glad I 'made myself' go, rather against my better judgement.  After 15 years, it's a bloody great monkey off my back.

I am genuinely pleased for you. It seems like we had a very similar experience on all counts.  

[Will S]

So....Hexham last night

To the nitty gritty: the setlist was as per the spoiler* with a geographical specific song in place of the second item, second half.

I was genuinely emotional throughout the gig...it was both an absolute pleasure and a joy, and I'm so glad I 'made myself' go, rather against my better judgement.  After 15 years, it's a bloody great monkey off my back.

There are probably set-list specific reasons why it really worked for someone like me (only a couple - and imho - the best of Chris's narrative songs etc.), and there was only one song that really didn't work at all for me (clue: not 'theirs', it's on the last album).  But the main reason - the absolute rock of that performance?  DM...both on drums *and* on his 'hobbyist' keyboarding.  Take him out for the rest of the year and I simply can't imagine me feeling remotely the same.

But, no, that was exactly how I want to see this mature Fairport - I was just thinking as I was watching, Simon was only a year or two older than me the last time I saw them.  It's true what they say about time...grab it all while you can.  Long may they run.

Had a chat to Peggy before the gig and bought the (excellent) GPs CD.  Are there no tour tees this year btw - I didn't see any (only some shirts from Peggy and Ralph's tour)

ps* assuming the encore was 'just' the normal one...I a) wanted to get back to Cumbria and b) didn't want to be a blubbing mess so I skipped out after Matty.

pps I'm down in Sidmouth when they're playing in Exeter...now, I wonder...

Let me know if you do decide to do Exeter - it would be good to meet in person at last!  And if anyone else on here is going there too, of course...

[Peter Allen]

Lincoln tonight ,my 3rd year in a row , timed with the return of DM behind the kit
I've avoided the setlist so everything will be a surprise except Matty & MOTL
Is Matty still the banjo version  -  time for a revamp ?

[davidmjs]

Is Matty still the banjo version  -  time for a revamp ?

Yep...