Em C’s Birthday Bash

Emma Rogue Notion’s birthday and so the atmosphere here was extra joyful. Em is not just a much loved member of the community – she IS the community. We have a lot of fun but she’s also been a rock to many people.

This was a cracking bill on paper and was absolutely off the scale in actuality.

It began in style with a truly beautiful set from Chloë Bates. Her rich resonant soulful voice filled this big room. Unbelievably until her June 15th show at The International she hadn’t sung and played solo like this for over 20 years! Thank God she’s done it again at last because it’s marvellous – the ones about the river in Africa and ‘Loose Change’ are incredible. Sheer class…

There then began a value for money Libbyfest, firstly solo. She looked very at ease for only her second time on her own.

With the size of the venue and the nature of the occasion this time wasn’t quite as Alanis Morissette on steroids as her Botheration at Duffys debut in June but there’s some very heavy stuff in her lyrics, wrapped in some brilliant earworm melodies and accompanied by the most ‘She said WHAT!?!?’ between song bantz you could ever imagine – road rage wankers and internet dating got the Libby treatment on this particular evening. She’s one of the most honest performers around and a real lesson in how to be true to yourself. Or a true lesson in how to be real to yourself. Maybe that one…

Next up she joined Sara Priestley and birthday girl Emma for some 4 Non Blondes and R.E.M covers , a kind of taste of Em and Libby’s choir side too, their recent VE Day show would kill this crowd, it has to be seen to be believed.

Celestar Coco was Libby’s third incarnation and Chloē returned to the stage too. A quick ‘Happy Birthday’ to Emma and an enigmatic tale about Coco the cat and Kitt was pounding out the exhilaratingly relentless drum pattern to ‘Hypnagogic’.

A flash mob suddenly appeared for the line danceable “I’m Sorry’. I suspect Emma…

The mesmeric melody of ‘Driving Song’ haunts my brain. Some on/off stage mother and son exchanges preceded it. Art imitating life!

The vitriolic ‘Lord Of The Flies’ is Chloē’s turn to shine and things take an almost ‘Sister Ray’ turn on the guitars. Once again a terrific showing by this terrific band.

Rogue Notion just revel in being Rogue Notion and start with their self eulogising ‘Going Rogue’, Emma by now on an understandable high. A hybrid between punk rock and Ace Of Base reggae stylings, the latter of which they have a genuine feel for. It’s a hits that haven’t been hits yet hit packed set. Remarkable that it feels that way with such a relatively young band but things like ‘The G Word’ and ‘C U Next Tuesday’ just ace it. They create the most wondrous feeling in the crowd. Everybody celebrating.

That St Brigids can follow that is pretty impressive but having seen them storm Take The Stage at Duffys the other week I knew they were gonna be good.

Another triple setter with Sara on bass here fresh from Emma’s trio and The Rogues. From January to this, an astonishing rate. Molly Nuala and Cazabee exchange unison and alternating vocals with great effect. ‘Wandering Womb’ woo-woo… by ‘Let’s Build People Up’ despite my ancientness I’m dancing with 3/4ers of Celestar Coco and feeling so alive.

A tremendous end to a tremendous evening.

Living the dream! And thanks to young Emma, looking good at 30!