OS Nigel Milne (Chandos 68) Gig Resume

7 April 2025

Nigel Milne (Chandos 68) curated a gig at The Half Moon Putney last week that was uniquly made up of soley Old Stoics performing.  Following the event Nigel writes.. 'POPPY BAKER and her excellent band kicked off with some jazzy/bluesy cover interpretations and a fist full of clever and original songs. Poppy’s beautiful voice was complemented by wicked guitar work on both lead and bass , blistering saxophone and some ingenious and original drumming grooves.

A hard act to follow as a solo performer but Indie singer/songwriter, CONNIE GOODRICH, stepped up to the challenge and delivered some beautiful songs of love and loss and an utterly original ode to wishing to become more intellectual, which was both funny and very clever.

Next up we were faced with a revelation. The word “Elegant “ is one of my favourites as it encapsulates style, look, presentation and image in a remarkably economic way and I use it a lot - but never before to describe a rock band ! However, on this occasion it was the first word that came to mind as ALICIA DAYDREAMS and her band took over the stage. Fronted by Alicia herself in a glorious long white dress and matching guitar, this immensely satisfying combo treated us to a collection of songs of beauty, originality and power interspersed with brilliant lead guitar breaks, fluid bass runs and seriously slick drumming. And just as CONNIE veered away from the tried and tested theme of love, they gave us a song about vampires!🙀

Having returned to the auditorium with re-filled glasses, the audience were greeted by a full stage as THE PRIOR fired us all up with a fusillade of serious Rock’n’Roll comprising a collection of of original songs and one glorious cover of Fleetwood Mac’s “ Go Your Own Way “. Once again here is a band who certainly know their way around their instruments and who give unrelenting solid backing to front of band singer RUBY COOKE’s powerful vocal delivery and soaring wordless choruses. ( I can only name- check Ruby as, sadly, I don’t know the other’s names ! 😬)

By the end of their set the entire audience were so pumped up that only a good rub down with a wet lettuce would have calmed them 😹.

As I clambered on to the stage to deliver my speech of thanks to all the performers, helpers and supporters, my nascent utterances were drowned out by a universal chant of “One more song - One more song - One more song !” Well, it seemed rather silly and churlish to refuse!'