[flickr float=”left” ]http://www.flickr.com/photos/8080573@N03/7419213440[/flickr]
With bad weather forecast, the stage at Sandown was moved inside as a precaution… As it happened, it was a great days racing, without a drop of rain, and this continued into the evening.
Rob, Al and Jason tried their luck on the horses… Al and Rob going for the ‘best sounding names’ method, and Jason taking the more scientific approach of studying each horse before the race in the paddock. Jason won loads, Al lost all, and Rob won one…. So on to the music….
We had one hour to pack in the finest party / Irish / fun tracks we had… Which was tough choosing, with 2.5 hours being our average set length. As it was, I reckon we chose well… The crowd seemed to be a mix of Irish, and standard race goers, and it swelled to capacity as the set went on. There was plenty of dancing, singing along, and falling over… The black stuff was flowing that day at Sandown – though so was the bubbly stuff, judging from the response at the start of Champagne Supernova.
The final song Irish Rover – the crowd went wild… We would have loved to carried on, but all good things must come to an end (that is until the next racin’ show!)
I would have to say, the Sandown show was a highlight of the year. It was intimate and massive at the same time – it was great seeing, and hearing the crowd singing the songs back, at full volume. Thanks to the racecourse for the hospitality – as usual, the staff were friendly and helpful… We look forward to doing it again! Happy Bloomsday!!!!
(all photos courtesy, and copyright of top photographer Tom O’Donoghue Tomodo – music photography and video )
[flickr-gallery mode=”photoset” photoset=”72157630234023828″]
