October Tour – Day 1 – The Talbot

After two days rehearsal with drummers Ian Firth and Gary Stewart we’re in the van on our way to the Talbot Inn, Chaddersley Corbett. A 16th Century pub who won our second living room gigs competition. We love this place, not least because we get well fed, waterred and they don’t make us go to bed at any time.

We’re in the van right now, Simon is redesigning the Hope and Social website, Ed’s working on some photos, Gary’s backing up his phone contacts in advance of losing his phone again and Jason’s on driving duties.

11 miles to go and I’m in that calm before the storm phase. Colbie Caillat’s “song” has just come on Radio 2. Fallin’ For You is the title and we’ve come to the realisation that it’s a song funded directly by dirty money. It sounds like the bastard daughter of a crap Natalie Imbruglia and fathered by either Steve Wright or Paul O’Grady. Makes me wonder, as far as the future of radio… Who the hell would be candidates for “the next”… John Peel… Steve Lamacq? Is it Huw Stevens? Good chap! I guess what I miss is the idea of a DJ as a filter, as someone excited by music and the finding of new music. I heard Chris Moyles say live on air “as if I’m going to trawl through an hour of mp3s to try and find a decent song”. My blood boils. Should we start an open letter? Working title “Dear producers, sack self, dear DJ, do your job”.

Enough ranting, we’re about to make a small corner of England very noisy, very happy, and tomorrow, very hungover. Can’t wait. New cover or two this tour we reckon. Send your cover suggestions to contact@hopeandsocial.com

The view from The Talbot

PS – Chris Evans and “Billie Jean” on radio 2 have restored some hope, and faith in human nature. We may give this a try tonight. Keep peepers peeled for bad versions on YouTube x