It’s easy to keep trotting out the phrase ‘this was a brilliant gig’ but truly, this was and we felt privileged to be part of it.
We were approached by Jan of Music For Climate Justice following a recommendation by Laura of Bird In The Belly. She asked if we would consider performing at a fundraiser concert they were putting on in aid of Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF). Richard Durrant was on the bill, plus Sudanese oud player, Bashir Al Gamar and Max Kinghorn-Mills of Hollow Hand AND it was in The Brunswick, a reasonably local music venue we know well, so we said ‘yes’.
Tickets were £15 and the evening was Sold Out. Jan, John and Sue of Music For Climate Justice, all volunteers, put on the event. The Brunswick donated the venue for free* and all performers played for free (‘volunteers and musicians playing for charity fundraisers’ is a topic that we discuss on the 7th episode of Bluebell Notes, the podcast ). Half way through the evening Jan announced that the total raised so far was just over £1500.
The evening started with a quick introduction by Phillip Minns, of Best Foot Music, for Bashir Al Gamar (read more about Best Foot Music and Bashir). Bashir told us that, after being arrested and tortured for writing a song that was taken to be political criticism, he fled Sudan for the UK in 2019. He proceeded to perform on the oud and sing with such passion that had the audience entranced.
Next was a talk about the current situation in Sudan as a result of the conflict there. More than 11 million people have been forcibly displaced by the conflict, now sheltering in crowded and often precarious conditions. Humanitarian aid is being blocked and there is a food and medical crisis. It is truly shocking and has been eclipsed in our UK news by other recent world events – read more here.
We got up to play our set of 5 songs which went down extremely well, including a lively performance of Judge, Jury and Executioner with lots of audience participation. After a break, Doctor Dan (I didn’t catch his last name) talked about his experiences, and those of his colleagues still in Sudan, of working with MSF, praising the work of this independent and impartial organisation who do everything they can to make sure medical aid gets to where it is needed most. Next, Max played a set of his own hypnotic and charming psych-folk songs plus a gorgeous cover of a Lal Waterson song. Then Richard Durrant took to the stage, barefoot, with his own stunning virtuosic guitar compositions as well as phenomenal interpretations of J S Bach’s works on the ukulele – he really gives the ukulele a good name!
The majority of the audience stayed for the entire performance but we were sad to see some leaving in the interval. It’s a shame that those seats stayed empty for the rest of the evening when someone else could have come in to enjoy the performance and maybe add extra donations to the fund.
But, that aside, it was a wonderful evening and we came away feeling we had been part of something pretty damn good for a very good cause. ‘Inspiration’ was the word of the night. Bashir’s resilience was an inspiration, I inspired someone to get their clarinet out of the loft, Richard inspired someone to pick up the guitar again (Jim said it inspired him to put his down as he feels he’ll never be as good as Richard!), and many were inspired to find out more and spread the word about the Sudan situation and about MSF.
*The Brunswick, in addition to providing the venue for free for the event, gave all volunteers and performers free soft drinks and a discount on food. Very classy.
