Like last night with Kasabian, Nina Nesbitt was an artist I hadn't come across. Well, not quite like - I'd at least heard of Kasabian. Again, a listen on YouTube convinced me that she was worth a punt, and yesterday, with tickets apparently selling out, I booked. They only deal with third-party sellers, so I picked SeeTickets from the top of the list.
So, Union Chapel at last, eh? I've seen the name many's the time, and hovered around the edge of going there, but never yet managed it. Looking it up on Google Maps, it was an easy walk from Highbury & Islington station - turn right, and you can see it round the corner. Mind you, their walking directions - as it turned out - were crazy, sending you round the back. But anyhoo. They suggested Tube, whereas I usually take the Overground to Highbury & Islington. Overground is slower, less frequent, and more crowded - but cheaper.
Well, I knew I didn't have to be there the minute the doors opened at 7; they didn't say when the show would start, but even at that, there were all of three support acts! So I relaxed. And when I did finally set off, I decided to treat myself to the Tube, as any Overground going at a reasonable time would be crammed with rush hour passengers. It's the same station (at both ends) for Overground and Underground. When I exited the station at the other end, I got a pleasant surprise - they'd only charged me the Overground fare! Gee, I'd forgotten they do that. I think it's when the same journey could have been completed by a cheaper route, they charge the cheaper price; and all those times I suffered on the Overground, when I could just have got the Tube for the same fare. I resolved to take the Tube back as well, tonight.
The lady who exited in front of me stopped by a beggar at the corner, and asked him whether he came there every day. When he said he did, she promised to bring him clothes and blankets the next day. Which is nice.
I had déja-vu on leaving the station - and then it hit me; of course! This is the route I take to the Almeida. It's just so long since I've had to look up directions there, that I didn't make the connection when I was looking up directions to Union Chapel. In fact, the road to the Almeida takes me right past Union Chapel - I must have passed it several times. So, the spire is indeed visible from the corner, and I made my way there.
Arriving at about 7.10, I found myself at the end of a Very Long Queue. Fast-moving though - we weren't outside for more than about five minutes. During which time we were assailed by not one, not two, but three people handing out fliers. I managed to avoid all of them, and made my way to the collection desk, where the poor chap was sitting with a pile of lists for the different ticket providers, and wanted to know which I'd bought with. He crossed out my name and stamped my hand. I do wonder how it was supposed to work, given that there were two people there, each apparently with identical lists..
Confused as to where to go next, I was waylaid by yet another flier-distributor, and ended up taking one this time. The ground level was already blocked off, and we were directed to the balcony. Which was fine - I got to the side of the stage, quite close. The flier I'd got turned out to be a little booklet with details of how to access the free download of one of the songs of one of the support acts. I left it there. Seating is on pews, decently comfy - and the setting, in quite a large chapel, is as spectacular as you'd expect. I always think they make a great setting for music of any kind. They add a lovely touch of lining the balcony with tealights. Some photos here.
I chose a seat far enough back that the railing wasn't an obstacle, and on the aisle, on the side where I was looking across the aisle to the stage. Therefore, no heads in my way! (Seating is unassigned.) I was still settling myself when the first support came on. Each of the three support acts only performed a few songs - each, like Nina, was a solo singer-songwriter. What a change from last night! Frankly - and no reflection on them - I nearly nodded off a couple of times. They were just so soothing!
Had I fallen asleep, the audience reaction to Nina would have woken me up. I suspected I was above her target demographic age, but honestly! The front rows, right near the stage, were completely full of tweens, adorned with tinsel halos, some of which had flashing lights, some carrying bits of cardboard with tinsel around them. Shriek, shriek. There was a constant barrage of "We love you, Nina!" to which she graciously responded, "I love you too!" to which they responded, "Yay!" She kept having to get off her stool to run to the edge of the stage to receive gifts - a cushion, a child's drawing of her as an angel, it looked like. There was a constant running commentary of "Aww!" It was like watching a childminder in action.
She nearly caused a riot when she announced that she was giving away handmade Advent calendars with "sayings" in them, but she only had three.. half the stalls rushed the stage. She nearly caused another riot when she asked for volunteers to do backing vocals for one song. When she had them onstage, she confessed that the concert was being recorded by Abbey Road - cd available shortly; cds for all artists performing tonight were available at the door afterwards. I suspect they had to do some editing of tonight's recording, considering the comments of a couple of fans in the balcony, who thought it HILARIOUS to keep yelling they were s***ting themselves.
Problem with this kind of music is that it really depends on the lyrics, and if you don't know them, you could feel very left out. They weren't always very audible. Towards the end, I thought her talent really began to shine out, and I can see why she's so popular - she is actually extremely talented. However, I didn't get enough of a sense of that tonight. Still, if it were possible to see her somewhere where under 18s weren't allowed..
She played for just about an hour. On the way home, I took the Tube again. Was one stop from home when the train changed destination. We were all distracted, not expecting a last-minute change, but suddenly realised that the destination the driver had just given wasn't where we had been headed, and a trainload of confused people disembarked at Earl's Court. And stood around, as no other trains were even scheduled to run on our line, according to the noticeboard! I was close enough to walk home, and that's what I did. The barriers at Earl's Court don't give your Oyster card total as you touch out, so I don't know what I was charged - but I bet, disembarking at an Underground station, that I was charged more. Ironic, given that I had a shorter journey. Ah well, I was home sooner! And my, it was bitterly cold on that walk home..
So, tomorrow I continue the Christmassy theme, the church theme, the musical theme. I'm headed to a Christmas carol concert in aid of Hope & Homes for Children, in St. Mary Abbot's Church, which is close enough that I can walk from the office. On Thursday, I'm off to the opera - L' Elisir d' Amore, in the Opera House. I must remember to take my camera - a couple of the statues on the Paddington trail are supposed to be around there. Then I'm back to Ireland for the weekend - on Saturday, there's a fundraising concert - candlelit, mulled wine, mince pies - in Oatfield Church. And on Monday, I'm off to this year's Cirque Berserk in Hyde Park's Winter Wonderland.
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