Unplugged For Autism Charity Show With Special Guests @ Londons Koko 15.12.2014

Unplugged For Autism

with Special Guests

KOKO London 15.12.2014

 

Today is a really important day, it's the last gig of the year, it's in my second favourite city 'London' and it's in uber trendy Camden.

 

Its a Charity show all tonights guests are playing acoustic its for (NAS National Autistic Society), some of the artists playing tonight have Autism or have experience of someone close to them with Autism.

 

The Doors Open at 6pm and there are a few of us outside the doors queuing,this is not the usual gig protocol and its a very relaxed atmosphere we are are made very welcome when inside the venue which is in beautiful KOKO the most beautiful decored theatre I've seen in a long while with RED themed walls and pillars and decked up theatre boxes, topped with a Disco Ball, well 'Madonna' did play here for her Confessions promo show in 2005.

 

We are Introduced to artists who have Autism that are playing tonight first up is 'Sam Cooper', a young man dressed in casual Blue Jeans and t-shirt he sings at least three songs that he has written himself ,one them in particular which really made me smile a song about 'Ricky The Cricket'  a fast paced lyrical ditty telling the story about a Cricket which was very well rhymed.

 

Next up another male artist with a guest musician on percussion 'Ed Goodacre' he has written songs about his battles with Autism  in a song called 'The Symptoms' and poignant song about dealing with his brother going to war in Afganistan they were very good theres a lot of talented musicians here proof that Autism dosen't have to make us different when we understand it .

 

Then it was one of the girls  "Laura Tapp" she apparently works for NAS and is also a songwriter and plays guitar, tonight she picks a few cover songs from a Twitter poll of requests particularly difficult to play acoustically was the version of Cars by Gary Numan, she also played covers of Katy Perry, and storming acoustic version of Radiohead's Creep!!

 

Then it was the first of tonight's special guests local London band 'White Lies' took to the stage, with a stripped back stage set up with a wooden chair, blue silver rouched drapes as a atmospheric backdrop, and they walk onto the stage 'Harry' walks over to the left where he has a mic stand Korg Keyboard and music stand, 'Jack'  takes postion behind his Xylophone and 'Charles' takes over on Acoustic guitar sitting centre stage on the wooden chair making a change from the heavy bass he plays on stage usually.

 

'Good Evening we are going to play some acoustic versions of our songs for you now" says 'Harry' smiling, They begin with a 'Lana Del Rey' cover 'Ride',we get an exclusive never before heard acoustic version of 'Farewell To The Fairground' and lovely slow paced version of 'There Goes Our Love Again' and 'Harry surprises everyone by doing a solo  acoustic version of 'First Time Caller', "These Guys are going to disappear now and leave me on my own for this one,quite nervous actually" he giggles, he pulls off a great performance of the song he's well suited as a soloist, simply dressed in White T-shirt and Black Jeans and some stage friendly sneakers.

 

The Other guys come back on stage and 'Charles' takes to his wooden chair again and 'Harry' says "We are going to play an acoustic version of a song on BIG TV a song called 'Change', 'Charles' is going to play the complicated piece on guitar" he laughs the crowd laughs,they seem relaxed in each others company.

 

It's then that 'Harry' opens up about his experience with Autism "As Autism affects someone in my family, I have some knowledge of it my sister has Autism" I was a little shocked but deeply moved by him sharing this with us the crowd, next song is 'Unfinished Business' and lastly a cover of 'Prince's 'I Would Die 4 U' which the band played their 'Big TV Tour' last year and it went down pretty well too,they say goodnight and take a bow and leave the stage.

 

Also present at the show is 'Gaz Coombes' of 'Supergrass' he plays some his solo material he is here tonight as his Daughter has Autism and he's raising awareness tonight he plays 1 'Supergrass' classic "Movin' " (Special Thanks to my friend ''Michelle for this extra piece of info as I'd left the venue to go outside on an errand to do with The Boys in case they left early so didn't see it)

 

It was a great way to end the year,and superb special show,you can see over 40 Pics from the night in the gallery links posted soon separately with 'White Lies' whole set pictured.

 

 

 

 

Merry Xmas To All Giggers & Happy New Year

2015 is going to be EPIC !!!