Secret Saint Leonards
KATE SHAW
I have little idea of what to expect as I battle my way along the blustery seafront to this mysterious Friday night gig. I’d been added to an unforeseen Whatsapp group by a friend some weeks ago and responded to an invitation posted there. I was sent another phone number, paid my £15 and was told to expect a night of dancy, sweaty funk and vibes. I was in!
“So tell me more about Friday night, “I said. “Is this your first one?” “It’s a secret, that’s kind of the point.”
Intrigued, I had a date, no time, no place and no more details. The week of the gig I received a message giving me the where and when and the promise of a night of drinks and rootsy music. So here I am, at an unremarkable front door which opens a crack, “Am I at the secret gig?” I enquire. “You are,” and the door swings wide.
My name is checked off a list and I’m shown into a dark red room buzzing with chatter and the driving beat of a slick five-piece band. The room has the basement feel of an underground Speakeasy, lit by strings of red lanterns and little glass oil lamps with red shades, which cast an atmospheric glow over the venue. There must be close to 100 people in here.
I grab a drink and stake my place at a respectable but intimate distance from the band. I can barely see their faces, so moody is the lighting. After they finish their current tune, the music steps up a pace and the crowd, who have been seated and soaking up the vibes, start to drift towards the dance floor.
The band remain nameless throughout the night and play together like a well-oiled funk machine. I’m soon shaking my booty with the rest of the crowd. The acoustics, the tightness of the band and the general ambience of the place combine to envelop me, and I feel truly grateful to be a part of this experience. Towards the end of the night, the pace changes again as guest vocalist Alice Bernard takes to the stage and sings a smoky rendition of Georgia on my Mind, which genuinely brings tears to my eyes.
Friend Mike, outside of his role as performer and host, reveals himself as a man on a mission to plant our town squarely back on the musical map. He wants Hastings to be a desired stop for touring artists, and equally to help send out our homegrown talent to other venues around the country.
The ‘secret’ gigs are just one prong of his multi-faceted approach to achieving this dream. He’s passionate about creating opportunities for real talent and for creating exciting high quality musical events at an affordable price, whilst ensuring a fair payment to the musicians involved. He hosts pop-up nights at his shop (74 Norman Road) which have an intimate living room feel, and helps showcase acts like the Alex Bryson Trio, Alejandro Escovedo and King Size Slim at various venues around town.
For now I am bundled up in the warm red glow of this intimate gig. Perfect insulation for my windswept walk home.
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