Friendly waves to all
I did manage to finally get to the Accoustic Festival on Friday (rather busy mad few days, some of which involved music - full orchestra & chorus, marvellous stuff). I bumped into some fellow Matt fans parking the car (don't know names, but I recognised their faces) & then proceeded into the event to have a wander around the trade stands (most interesting, lots of very arty handmade goodies but what really caught my eye was the most fabulously textured & colourful clothing which was rediculously cheap for the work of creating the design - all imported of course). The organisers were correct in their statement of this is a friendly festival, there was a lovely vibe about the place. The weather, well it was overcast & a tad muggy with a feel of dampness in the air so I did wonder about those singing. Having got my bearings of stage locations via other helpful folks I spotted some fellow fans in white ( now those gig hoodies were an inspired colour choice, lol ). After initial greetings front of a very large stage I looked up & there Matt was just about to set up & sound check - that was rather good timing I thought
Paul was with him too, bless - he only had a shirt on & it was a tad nippy (I was in three layers). I wondered why his keys were sat on two speakers ???? Plus he also seemed to be sat on a speaker himself? Anyhows, much concentration on setting up, getting things balanced up correctly, a few smiles then off they both went. The standing part front of stage was filling up gently all the time and when he did actually start the set it continued to do so as did the seated/standing bit behind it as folks came over to listen. The set list has been posted already & I loved the arrangements with Pauls keys, it really added some extra depth & dimension to the acoustic arrangements. As for THAT voice of his, Jeeeez, what a set of pipes he has
I never get bored of listening to him sing live like this that's for sure! As you say BB we got a really long set, the more it went on the warmer those pipes got (tho I'm not too sure about Paul's fingers - he still only had on a short sleeved shirt). The reason for the odd keyboard blocks was admitted - Matt forget to pack his stand in the car, but it's all rather rock n roll he quipped! There was friendly banter from the crowd, fans as per the normal stuff we all know and some quips from the festival crowd tho he declined a beer
After his set had finished the area cleared rather rapidly (some no doubt seeking him out back stage) with pleas of don't disappear, we've got more acts soon on here! Mentioning backstage, my OH had been very delayed & ended up back stage accidentally towards the end of the set (that would have been a lol if he'd come up the ramp or M had bumped into him going off). By the time he got around & through the correct gate it had all concluded. I then said my goodbyes & joined him though most fans were leaving now, it was getting pretty cold & damp ( sooo glad I wasn't camping like some). We hung around for a while into the darkness, listened to some rather good acoustic music in packed tents, whilst picking at a bowl of chips as you do
The rather colourful festival characters were all around, some slightly swaying as they walked by this stage, bless and I was most envious of those in onesies (snug as a bug in a rug on the chilly eve). As Steve H was coming on we took the chairs out of the beer tent to sit upon. Whilst negotiating this manoeuvre, 1/2 lager in one hand, chair in another, trying to avoid people, tent ropes etc I overheard a mans voice saying " he did Jolene, and he sang it in such a way that I listened to/heard the words for the first time, it's quite a sad song" "for a guy to sing that song, reach those notes????? Then I lost it as my OH was beckoning me over (I'd ground to a halt mid exist to listen). So it's not just us guys who are affected like this
Have to admit Steve H was brilliant, just him, some keys & a violin. He mentioned that he'd had a chat with Matt backstage, what a small world it was as they'd been born/lived near each other (I couldn't quite catch it due to background beer tent banter), what a great singer Matt was
He also mentioned Matt again later but I couldn't catch what he said. So all in all a great night, I felt that Matt had won over a rather curious crowd who probably only ever associated him with XF and were wondering what to expect (as per your fav tweet of the eve CRABBIE - it may well have been that guy I overheard). If I get chance, I'm going back to the festival today & guess what, the suns out
So there you go, hope you enjoy the read xx
He did respond well to the 1D bit, a good appearance overall, I like watching him on this show.
