Chas ‘n’ Dave Gig Review, London 2011

I went to see Chas ‘n’ Dave at the O2 Indigo on Thursday. It was part of their “Farewell Tour” (until the reunion). It was a sold-out gig, and I had a really good time.

Sounds stupid, but I’ve always really loved Chas ‘n’ Dave, and not in an ironic way. I am not ashamed. They make good, catchy music with funny lyrics, and what’s wrong with that?

When I got out of the tube, the O2 was swarming with people, most of them young, trendy types. I’ll be honest: I wasn’t really expecting that at a Chas ‘n’ Dave gig, but I was quite pleased. Then I realised that they were going to the Plan B gig at the main O2 arena.

I got into the venue quite early, and straight away my mood started to sink further. I counted about eight old ladies in wheelchairs drinking pints of beer. Then every old-time skinhead, market trader, spiv, or cockney wide-boy in all of London started to turn up. This reminded me of a Madness gig I went to at Victoria Park a few years ago. I loved the experience then, and I loved it now. I like to think of myself as an articulate skinhead (when I choose to be). Sometimes I fantasise that I could pass myself off as “a bit of rough.” And maybe I can (although if a fight started, I’d almost certainly hide under the nearest table).

Drinks were pretty expensive, so I only had enough for about three or four pints; not nearly enough for a Chas ‘n’ Dave gig.

When the music started, everyone went wild. They were a no-nonsense, “let’s play music” band. There wasn’t a lot of talking between songs; they just belted out the numbers. I saw them a few years ago at a student pub in New Cross, and it was pretty dire. Not so this time. Also, interestingly, they started with the same song that they would later use for an encore. Which isn’t actually a bad idea when you think about it.

Anyway, I had a good dance and went home happy.

Setlist

The Sideboard Song
I Wonder in Whose Arms
London Girls
Margate
Poor Old Mr Woogie
The Banging in Your Head
Gertcha
My Blue Heaven
That Old Piano
Breathless
End of Me Ol’ Cigar
Edmonton Green
Wallop!
Don’t Want You Knockin’ On My Door
Rabbit
Give Gavotte
Snooker Loopy
The Shape I’m In
Rufus Rastus Johnson Brown
Ponder’s End Allotments Club
12th Street Rag
One Fing ‘N’ Anuvver
Ain’t No Pleasing You
The Sideboard Song