Evening all,

So with the snow and icy conditions that plagued England, I had my doubts as to whether I would make it to this gig but thankfully someone ‘up there’ must have been on my side…

Before the gig

Finding the Travelodge just out of Waterloo was difficult enough and after struggling across Waterloo Bridge twice with a friend’s luggage from uni, we found the place. Finding the Waterloo East Theatre was another matter entirely. After several desperate phone calls, begging for directions (more so than I should like to disclose), we finally found the theatre. The line was tiny so we left to get chips…the night was setting in fast and the freezing wind of London in December really didn’t make us happy bunnies. Plus the fact that the third member of the party was yet to arrive…

The doors to the Waterloo East Theatre were closed for a good 20 minutes longer than promised and a few curses were spoken undeniably from the cold weather and the promise of a 6:30pm opening time. Still, when the doors did open, there was much rejoicing but the small foyer afforded little space to move. A slight surprise occurred when the main man, Hadley Fraser bustled between us, talking on the phone. Felt a lot like Tracy Turnblad when he bumped me…

With 5 minutes to go until the show began we were allowed in and the three of us had thankfully all made it. With a small gap between people’s heads, I considered my view to be thoroughly impeded but such was life…I’d find out it was the best seat in the house a little later on.

The gig itself

With a mixture of music genres to keep the audience entertained, Hadley guided us through several performances by himself and his friends. It all kicked off with a rather hilarious Christmas song by Hadley himself and then the first of his many talented acts took to the stage…her name was Ceili O’Connor…AKA ‘Undercover Dorothy’. There was a great tale behind the nickname. As Hadley is – at the moment – doing Panto in Cardiff, where (and I quote) ‘everyone has reached the point of exhaustion, from the 700 performances each day’, he was asked by one of the deliriously tired co-stars,who must have gotten confused between ‘cover’ and ‘understudy’; “are you the undercover Brian Conley?” Thus the nickname ‘Undercover…’ was born.

Ceili was stunning. With her vocals hitting an incredible range and her style being of quite a classic sort, I enjoyed her performances. With a bubbly personality, I was quite sad that she only sang two numbers. Following her were a string of other spectacular performers; Warwick Lobban – who blew me away with his acoustic rendition of ‘God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen’, Stuart Matthew Price – whose voice was truly as Hadley put it ‘lent by God for his duration on this planet’, Sophie Smith – who gave her own jazz rendition of My Foolish Heart (a song which I had previously heard Hadley sing) and then duetted with Hadley on a Christmas tune from Charlie Brown’s Christmas, Rosalie Craig – whose acoustic abilities and voice, alongside Jess on violin, sent shivers down my spine and finally Ramin Karimloo as they united to fill out the gig with their own material as their new and stunning band, Sheytoons.

Far from the quiet acoustic sounds of Lauderdale House – well I say ‘quiet’, I doubt it’s possible with these boys – Hadley and Ramin had come fully prepared this time. With amplified acoustics, a double bass, violin, piano and drums, there was little chance of anyone not hearing their incredible music. Beginning the hoedown with Wings – one of my personal favourites – the gig could only get better. It was a much fuller and earthlier sound than the two guitars/violin rendition from before and with some off the cuff experimentation this song went down an utter treat.

It was then I believed I had the best seat in the house. Strangely enough, between heads, somehow a gap had formed and a clear view through the crowd had left Ramin right in my line of sight. This is the second time I have been fortunate enough to have been blessed with this situation; at the Lauderdale House gig this happened also. Although it was far from the front row, seeing everything to be seen, I felt like something strangely special was happening here…

Losing, Heading West and Driftwood were to follow, bringing us up to the surprise that was Ramin singing a solo. Now, having seen and heard him belt out Love Never Dies’ Til I Hear You Sing many times, I knew he had the confidence and presence to hold his own but Lonely was one of the most revealing looks into a man’s soul I have heard. Might sound corny but it was some of the most inspired songwriting and one of the most powerfully vulnerable performances I have seen. It was then that I could truly appreciate my seat…The only hindrance or bad thing, was the train rolling overhead every so often; ironically enough, most of the time, it was during a break in the singing.

So, after that emotional ride, another of my favourite songs – Broken – was on the way and with the double bass, it sounded close to perfection. With harmonies down to a tee, there is always something special about hearing this song live and this time did not disappoint. With added semi-acapella parts, it was just stunning. Steal Our Moments was the final addition to the set but not before an Elton John gag had been pulled. The banter between best-friends Hadley and Ramin is just golden! The story goes like this…

After inviting Rosalie back on stage to sing an further harmony part in Heading West, the piano had been left without a stool and as ‘gentlemanly’ as Hadley wasn’t in not getting it for her, he wasn’t going to take it back! So he had to perform this song standing up, trying to lean across the microphone to see and reach the higher keys of the piano. He said he was going to attempt it ‘Step Into Christmas style’ – Elton impression and everything…Ramin pulls his mic closer and says pretty plainly…’who’s that supposed to be?’ (Or words to that effect) bringing the house into a fit of giggles.

The gig finished on a nice Christmassy tune – one which is slightly cringe-worthy but fun nonetheless – Merry Christmas Everybody by Slade.

After the gig

Talking to Ramin in the foyer of the theatre, he smiled (having met previously) and offered me one of the marvellous band badges, which I was honoured to have. I didn’t really know what to say to him. After hearing Lonely I was just lost for words and, knowing that he probably wrote that on his own steam, it struck me dumb to be in such company.

Meeting Hadley Fraser was such a pleasure. Breaking the ice with a great big bear-hug, Hadley dives straight into conversation, asking how far I had travelled to be there. After telling him, he seemed all the more appreciative of my support; I could only tell him the truth…that I would pretty much go wherever to hear Sheytoons performing. After explaining that I had missed him after the Lauderdale House gig, he apologised..! I was stunned. He had no reason to be sorry, so I apologised aswell and we talked a little more about the band and I asked for a picture with him. He was more than happy to do it. Here’s to the next Sheytoons gig! 10/10!

Hope ya’ll enjoyed that. Katie x