Apparently Tunbridge Wells Forum was once a toilet? It seems lovely tonight anyway, and full of fans waiting for Magic Numbers on their 20th anniversary tour. Most venues are sold out including this one, the last of the tour (although they just added Guernsey, possibly for a post tour holiday!?).
Support David Ford used to be in Easyworld , good powerful solo guitar folk, with a passionate final number about not being a success in the music business. Michelle Stodart from MN joins him for a few songs, they are recording an album together.
She and her brother Romeo return with Angela and Sean, also siblings, all neighbours and friends in London when they formed the Magic Numbers. They play all the classics, some new stuff, and at the end ask fans to shout out songs they want to hear. They are joined by a sax player, and Ren Harvieu for some backing vocals.
There's a great sense of support and friendship between the audience and the band. We're asked to cheer when Roy Orbison makes his appearance in the song of the same name, around the second verse. They debate if they can still play some of the songs asked for. At the end they all come out to meet us and sign things at the merch desk.
I also enjoy meeting tall Chris, a superfan who has traveled the world following them.
Huge thanks to Helen and Ross,
Kevin Hand
