For Stella – Thanks for all your comments. I feel connected through our respective ‘fan-ship’ of that great (in his words) “travelling minstrel”. Bringing our conversation here, back together, via this link:

www.steveharley.com/forum/5-forum-questi...-or-a-moderator.html

For jollyroger – Thanks very much for this. This completes the picture for me, as far as it can be, without me actually attending. That also explains to me that there must be a separate entrance to that part of the branch (for all – Health & Safety and for Steve & the Acoustic band, a private entrance and exit). Seating then (probably), either a dozen rows of 10, or ten rows of 12(?)

Yes, Steve can be an ‘intimate gig’ specialist, as you say (Pizza Express, London/ Jazz Café, London, Old Fire Station, Oxford just a few examples), but also (my favourite) mid-size venues (like Cheltenham Town Hall, Shepherds Bush Empire etc.) or indeed, ‘going the whole hog’, with festivals.

The thing is, having this discussion with both Stella and yourself, has made me realise that at every gig I’ve been to (since 1980), nowhere have I sat down the whole time (not with music per se – musicals or theatre, yes, I have stayed in my seat)! Often, I’ve stood the whole time (prefer). I’ve been fortunate with my physicality, but it’s all too exciting for me to sit down, especially when experiencing the sound & vision of my favourite people, Harley, Elliott, et al, Ferry, Thompson, et al, Neneh Cherry, Aimee Mann, Gabrielle (never seen/heard Pink, but I’d like to), Finn Brothers, Crowded House, Suede (separately, we stood next to Mat Osman and partner, at a Supergrass gig in London, in 1997 or 1998, that was cool) et al. Anyway, I bet the audience at Pizza Express are no different (at some point)!

Three nights at Holborn makes pretty good commercial sense too. Shrewd of both the venue and Harley. Steve and the acoustic band are certainly good enough to make the experience special, in many places. This reminds me of my (Darwinian) adaptation comment in this thread:

www.steveharley.com/forum/6-general-disc...h-of-later-gems.html


Anyway, thanks again for responding and all my very best to you (both). Jem

I realised, after booking for March 2024, that the music venue part (seating), is not in twelve rows of ten or ten rows of twelve, but rather the tables are spaced around the floor (which makes commercial sense given that it serves pizza meals - when there is no act on, they'll need to maximise covers).

This gives a better aesthetic, a feel of the London jazz/ nightclubs of the 50's and 60's but updated to the needs of a 21st Century corporate chain, and with good acoustics. I'm looking forward to it...

It will also be my first London gig since Kate Bush (2014) at Hammersmith Eventim Apollo.



Other relevant link (latter posts of that thread):

www.steveharley.com/forum/5-forum-questi...-or-a-moderator.html

www.steveharley.com/latest-news/1090-news-update.html


www.steveharley.com/latest-news/1088-ann...ment-2.html#ccomment


Fingers crossed for March, but absolutely no pressure. Steve must take the time he needs and no doubt there will be an update on his recuperation, in due course (there's more than four months yet).

The originator of this thread has reminded me of the couple of occasions I was in New Cross, working, back in 2000. I had a freelance contract with one of the oldest English companies that were based there, EC Sames & Co Limited. Some years after my temporary post there, I was saddened to hear that they were no longer operating.

I really enjoyed my time there, because I was based, for the most part, in Oxford Street, W1, not that far from the 100 Club. One day walking around the corner, from the busy street, I had a Saint (Simon Templar - Roger Moore) moment (in Saint locales back in the early 60's, the viewer never saw that many people in the scenes, even in London!) It was like that. On one side of that side street (whichever street it was - directly off Oxford Street - the BT tower was visible - when looking away from Oxford Street, to the North), there were (Edit: grammar Jem!) Chris Eubank and I passing, and on the other side, just one other person. I should have said something to him, and introduced myself, we could've shaken hands and all that, but I was too subtle. So surreal. Pleasant memories though. There was also a great Italian restaurant nearby too...