I went to see Richard play at the Union Chapel today as part of the Daylight Music thing. It was at noon.
He was very good. Quiet and acoustic but rigorous, controlled, not soft and folky - building loops and phrases rather than ordinary songs. Perfect.
I've never been much for going out in the evenings. I'd always rather be at home, so I miss a lot of stuff I'd like. And this reminded I've always wanted to go to gigs in the morning. Before work. Before school. While it's still cold and the streets are still quiet. The Russell Square cafe would be perfect. Outside. Music like Richard's would be perfect.
It might deliver a feeling like the start of Birth Of A New School from A Moveable Feast:
"The blue-backed notebooks, the two pencils and the pencil sharpener (a pocket knife was too wasteful), the marble-topped tables, the smell of café crèmes, the smell of early morning sweeping out and mopping and luck were all you needed."
Maybe it wouldn't just be music. Could be talks, readings. But, early, so there's something under your belt before you start the day. With coffee.
