It appears that when playing in Sunny Hunny we kicked up quite a hurricane!
Gig Review Appearing in the Lynn News, by Duncan Hall.
Beachcomber Bar, Hunstanton,
Rockin’ in the free world, anyone?
NEIL Young has to be one of rock’s most idiosyncratic performers. Over his four-decade career his music has embraced ’60s psychedelic pop, rock’n’roll, pastoral acoustics, and even electronic experimentation – all to the bemusement of his millions of fans across the world. Tribute band DON’T SPOOK THE HORSE had its work cut out to even partially cover his career – but in less than 90 minutes they made a good fist of it.
Young’s incendiary guitar performances were brilliantly recreated within a song selection which ranged from well loved classics to slightly lesser-known album tracks. From the start people were up and dancing to songs like Young’s only hit, Heart of Gold, After the Goldrush’s Southern Man, and even Like a Hurricane. Odder songs from Young’s lesser-known albums Comes a Time and On the Beach furrowed a few brows, but added to the fan-like atmosphere.
It’s a shame that Rockin’ in the Free World’s sentiments were not followed by the Golden Lion’s management. Hopefully the experience won’t put the band off from returning to another West Norfolk venue.
Intrigued? The following also appeared in the Lynn News, by Emma Cooney….
Punters irate as Golden Lion pulls plug on Beachcomber gig
Don’t spook the guests!
MANAGEMENT at Hunstanton’s Golden Lion Hotel caused a stir when they pulled to plug during the set of a Neil Young tribute band on Saturday (see review).
The Page received a scathing letter (see below) from a disgruntled customer, upset at the abrupt end to the DON’T SPOOK THE HORSE gig, which was at The Beachcomber venue at the back of the hotel. In reply, Golden Lion manger Josina Buschman said the gig should never have happened in the first place. “I had to finish it, I had no choice,” she told The Page. “People think we’ve broken up their party, but it should never have happened, and it is not going to happen again”.
One member of staff said they were expecting a quiet band, but instead the renditions sounded like “heavy metal.”
The comment must surely bemuse anyone who knows anything about the Canadian rock superstar – known as he is for his long guitar workouts, and who once released an album entirely of feedback!
Guests walked out of the hotel, and guests staying above the beachcomber venue had to be reimbursed £180, the staff member added.Mrs Buschman explained that the venue was never intended for bands, as there were guest rooms directly above it.
She was concerned when told the gig was taking place, but as it had been organised said it had to be finished by 10am.
FUNDRAISER
Gig organiser, Pauline Farncombe, booked the date as a fundraiser to support the community art gallery, which is based at The Beachcomber. Mrs Farncombe is the director of Hunstanton Festival, which manages Hunstanton Partnership for Promation of the Arts, which runs the Beachcomber. She said unfortunately the band started late, and played past the agreed time. When she was told to stop the gig, she told the band it had to be their last song. “Minutes later, the power went,” Mrs Farncombe said, “It’s a shame, because it was a good night and everybody was enjoying it.” She added the hotel were on the whole supportive of the art gallery, and it was an unfortunate misunderstanding.
It was a good night for Hunstanton, the largely middle-aged crowd were well behaved, and it was a pleasant evening with no trouble.
“We’ll endeavour to reach a compromise to put live music on in the future. But if not, we’ll have to find another venue.
The Page has since heard that the hotel had just agreed to let a band use their function room to rehearse (not the Beachcomber). Confused? We are!
Rude way to treat a great band
Letter
CONGRATULATIONS to DON’T SPOOK THE HORSE for a great evening entertainment on Saturday. What a shame it was spoiled by the management at the venue, Hunstanton’s Beachcomber Bar at the Golden Lion Hotel.
The event was billed from 8pm till 11pm on posters and in the local press. However at around 10.45pm, possibly earlier, Management Official No.1 arrives on the scene and tells the band it’s time to wind up.
Fair enough. But telling them to do so right in the middle of one of their pieces? Totally unfair. Very rude, actually. But, with good grace, the band announces its next song will be the last for the night, and then begin to play.
Enter, Management Official No.2. Again, in mid-musical flow, she marches up to the lead singer and declares they must finish immediately.
Rude? Is it just me, or can anyone imagine a front-of-house manager approaching someone on stage at any other venue and telling them it’s a time to leave? So the concert ended at 10.50pm. We left feeling sold short, and the abrupt ending put the damper on an otherwise enjoyable night. The Beachcomber was quite happy to take its money from the band for the night for the hire of the room, and in the knowledge that, yes, a band does make noise. If it was the noise factor, and I don’t know for sure, then the venue shouldn’t be holding out it’s hands for money from other bands in the future. And anyway, do musicians really want to be treated in such a discourteous way?
They might, but I won’t see them, because I shan’t be going back to the Beachcomber (name and address supplied).
One response
Nice to hear about another riot around NY!