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COLONEL MUSTARD & THE DIJON 5 / SEA BASS KID – MACARTS, GALASHIELS Friday 29th March 2019

The new year faded into the distance and Friday March 29th 2019 had been fast approaching – it was set to be a momentous day as I was eagerly looking forward to my first live attendance at a 'Yellow Movement' event – after years of enjoying hearing their music, watching videos and playing tracks in my radio shows I was going to catch up with them live in Galashiels and I was most definitely looking forward that experience. Oh, and there was also the slight matter of the UK leaving the EU as had been repeatedly promised by Theresa May for years on at least 50 publically documented occasions. As things turned out Colonel Mustard & the Dijon 5 did arrive on schedule to entrance Galashiels but Brexit didn't; at the time of writing this the UK is still a member of the EU (although new passports being issued no longer recognise that reality) and there is absolutely no clarity of what the future might be regarding any future relationship between the countries that make up the UK and the EU. Politically the 29th March was more 'bidet' than 'B Day'! Anyway, enough of the boring stuff and let me focus on the music!

Evening came and I was walking towards MacArts to be sure to arrive in good time for the eagerly awaited gig; ahead of me were two people – one carrying a box covered with stickers (I'm sure I noticed a 'keep music live' one), the other had a case for carrying cymbals – I wondered if they might be heading my way – we arrived pretty much together and they were immediately welcomed in by venue manager Kate as part of Sea Bass Kid. Prior to the gig I knew nothing about the band but speaking inside with Mark Piercy I was assured that they were a great Ska band, somebody else, whose name escapes me , described them as skariach. Shortly afterwards they hit the stage like a hurricane and delivered a blindingly excellent set which included a ska version of Underworld's classic 'Born Slippy', perhaps best known from the closing sequence in 'Trainspotting'. Sea Bass Kid are certainly a band to watch out for if you want to experience a wonderful live night!!

The Colonel Mustard & the Dijon 5 gig was a sell out and the FaceBook event that had been set have encouraged those attending to turn up early to help get bthe party mood going. Consequently Sea Bass Kid played to a virtually capacity crowd; many in the audience were clearly enthusiastic about being there to support the headline act; very much representatives of the Dijon 5's 'YELLOW MOVEMENT' – much sparkle, glitter and yellow attire – one furry jacket was particularly noticeable with its integral multiple flashing coloured lights – I saw another audience member dressed in a yellow monk's habit which reminded me that I had walked a fair distance earlier in the day from Melrose Abbey to Dryburgh Abbey and back. That walk returned to be a prblem for me later when the band insisted that everybody crouched down low to then jump up and down repetitively during 'Junkie Breakfast'! That did prove to be quite a challenge for me but hopefully in the long run will have helped me to get match fit for this year's Edinburgh Half Marathon which I aim to run to raise funds for The Sophie Lancaster Foundation.

The Colonel Mustard set most definitely lived up to my expectations – filled with familiar songs and incorporating much audience interaction – much more than the aforementioned Junkie Breakfast exercises! The set was packed full with a great range of excellent fun tracks, expertly delivered by the large number of band members (occasionally off stage and interacting with the audience – props included a school traffic crossing operative's 'lollipop sign'! = 'Cross The Road'). Truly a joy to listen to and/or watch videos on YouTube BUT after my experience in MacArts I would suggest that the Colonel Mustard effect is really best appreciated in a live setting!

This was my first experience of a live gig in MacArts and it will take a lot to top it, not only in terms of the live music, but the quality of the venue which has been wonderfully equipped to provide a really class desination. I understand that visiting many bands are truly stunned when they enter the green room, which some assert is bigger and better equipped than some of the actual venue that they have played in! It was great to catch up with old friends and also to meet some new ones! I found it interesting to note that the lyrics for 'Dance Off' didn't include the references to minimalist dancing that I had recently mentioned when I played it in a show – at least I don't remember them – but maybe the lovely Tempest lager had something to do with that!

Many thanks to Patrick Rafferty for the excellent gig photos :-)

#macarts #colonel mustard & the dijon 5 #sea bass kid