Rarely, if ever, do I have a legitimate claim to occupying the best seat in the house. But that’s what happened, right there at the magnificent Union Chapel, a favourite venue of mine in London. By pure chance, and partly as I was there on my own (and one bum requires only one seat), I was sat next to Colin’s mum. And for part of the show at least Milo was sat two seats away. It’s one thing to watch one of your favourite musicians play in a very special venue, it’s quite another to be next to someone who is clearly emotionally attached to many of the lyrics (and unapologetically wears that emotion on her sleeve). There’s obviously something very personal about the closing lines of A Beginning Song. Those lines got to her, and through osmosis they got to me too. At the end, the crowd dispersed and she thanked me for being her companion during the show. At this stage I’m in a parallel universe. She just thanked me, WTAF. Amazing show, amazing venue (it’s sobering to think I’ve now seen The Delines, Damien Jurado and Colin Meloy there). So giddy was I about the whole experience that I texted a buddy while stood on the number 43 bus on my way home, lost my footing and fell backwards. Big thanks to the two brave souls who broke my fall and prevented me from a sticky ending. As a 50 year old father of one who doesn’t get out much, this is as rock and roll as my life gets. Thanks to Colin and his dear mother, just incredible, the set was amazing. Jon.
Looking forward to a new song! But all I hear in my head right now is Steve Earle's "The Galway Girl" and am wondering if it haunted you on your trip, of a day-i-ay-i-ay.....
Thank you for this insight to your days in Ireland and England, I'm so glad you had a great time (apart from the continental breakfast) with Milo and your Mum (English spelling) I was lucky enough to be at the Union Chapel show and it blew me away, such a great set list which really suited the venue, I was there again on the Thursday for the Delines.
Don't forget you said you owe us one for not getting the Mariners Revenge as the last song.
We absolutely loved your Union Chapel show. My wife-to-be was the one who gave you a silly, little invitation to our wedding on her family farm (a co-op that holds fully accessible events for families with members on the spectrum, with disabilities, etc.) in WA. She was incredibly embarrassed and nervous about the whole thing, but we both just really wanted to give you a physical thank you for all your efforts that mean so very much to us. I do hope this small gesture made its way back home with you.
I’m glad you had a lovely, albeit very busy, stay in the U.K.!
Yucking aside, what a beauty of a little tour in the IONA territory. And what a setlist for Union Chapel! I’d say you kinda did tumble through a standing-stone portal for that bit of magic. Cheers and congrats to the whole jaunt!
Oh, Colin, you mentioned that we were free of intrusions from the Machine Shop. Listen here, Sir, I enjoy your Machine Shop "intrusions" immensely. Thank you for sharing your trip with us.
Sounds like a mostly great trip and now that we have set our clocks back by one hour in Melbourne we can join the livestream in the wee small hours of Saturday morning! But don’t leave us hanging - did you make it to the theatre in London and what did you see?
This was an absolute delight to read! Given the state of our country, it just hit the spot. I don’t even think annoyed my wife by interrupting her reading to recite portions of this tour diary entry. Thank you, Mr. Meloy!
I saw you at the London show and it was such a beautiful evening, the atmosphere and acoustics of the venue was to die for. I was lucky enough to meet you by chance as you were on your way in, eternally grateful for the photo. Hope to see you back this way again!
Hope the new Substack arrangement is an improvement over the Patti Smith attempt from two weeks ago. Very difficult to listen to, for me. That chapel is beautiful; great pics!
Rarely, if ever, do I have a legitimate claim to occupying the best seat in the house. But that’s what happened, right there at the magnificent Union Chapel, a favourite venue of mine in London. By pure chance, and partly as I was there on my own (and one bum requires only one seat), I was sat next to Colin’s mum. And for part of the show at least Milo was sat two seats away. It’s one thing to watch one of your favourite musicians play in a very special venue, it’s quite another to be next to someone who is clearly emotionally attached to many of the lyrics (and unapologetically wears that emotion on her sleeve). There’s obviously something very personal about the closing lines of A Beginning Song. Those lines got to her, and through osmosis they got to me too. At the end, the crowd dispersed and she thanked me for being her companion during the show. At this stage I’m in a parallel universe. She just thanked me, WTAF. Amazing show, amazing venue (it’s sobering to think I’ve now seen The Delines, Damien Jurado and Colin Meloy there). So giddy was I about the whole experience that I texted a buddy while stood on the number 43 bus on my way home, lost my footing and fell backwards. Big thanks to the two brave souls who broke my fall and prevented me from a sticky ending. As a 50 year old father of one who doesn’t get out much, this is as rock and roll as my life gets. Thanks to Colin and his dear mother, just incredible, the set was amazing. Jon.
Looking forward to a new song! But all I hear in my head right now is Steve Earle's "The Galway Girl" and am wondering if it haunted you on your trip, of a day-i-ay-i-ay.....
Thank you for this insight to your days in Ireland and England, I'm so glad you had a great time (apart from the continental breakfast) with Milo and your Mum (English spelling) I was lucky enough to be at the Union Chapel show and it blew me away, such a great set list which really suited the venue, I was there again on the Thursday for the Delines.
Don't forget you said you owe us one for not getting the Mariners Revenge as the last song.
Hi, Colin!
We absolutely loved your Union Chapel show. My wife-to-be was the one who gave you a silly, little invitation to our wedding on her family farm (a co-op that holds fully accessible events for families with members on the spectrum, with disabilities, etc.) in WA. She was incredibly embarrassed and nervous about the whole thing, but we both just really wanted to give you a physical thank you for all your efforts that mean so very much to us. I do hope this small gesture made its way back home with you.
I’m glad you had a lovely, albeit very busy, stay in the U.K.!
So excited to see that you're trying a live stream again! Thank you!
Gorgeous gig at Union Chapel. From my seat, sounded like we all did pretty well at Burial Ground part-singing…?
Whooped at your crack about being compelled to tidy the vestry. Ah well, maybe next time.
I've met your mom several times, and she is a lovely woman. Can't blame you for being that mama's boy.
Yucking aside, what a beauty of a little tour in the IONA territory. And what a setlist for Union Chapel! I’d say you kinda did tumble through a standing-stone portal for that bit of magic. Cheers and congrats to the whole jaunt!
Oh, Colin, you mentioned that we were free of intrusions from the Machine Shop. Listen here, Sir, I enjoy your Machine Shop "intrusions" immensely. Thank you for sharing your trip with us.
Thank you! Fun to hear about the trip and hear other fans’ responses. All is well in Decemberland.
Sounds like a mostly great trip and now that we have set our clocks back by one hour in Melbourne we can join the livestream in the wee small hours of Saturday morning! But don’t leave us hanging - did you make it to the theatre in London and what did you see?
This was an absolute delight to read! Given the state of our country, it just hit the spot. I don’t even think annoyed my wife by interrupting her reading to recite portions of this tour diary entry. Thank you, Mr. Meloy!
I saw you at the London show and it was such a beautiful evening, the atmosphere and acoustics of the venue was to die for. I was lucky enough to meet you by chance as you were on your way in, eternally grateful for the photo. Hope to see you back this way again!
Hope the new Substack arrangement is an improvement over the Patti Smith attempt from two weeks ago. Very difficult to listen to, for me. That chapel is beautiful; great pics!