Event 5 – Night Music [REPORT]

Last night I started to feel down, but ended the evening with some inspiration and a head full of goals. Literally.

The plan (as written on the tin) was to see the lovely Suzie Glass sing in the plush Longfords Bar; an evening of divine live music. However, I confess that I also had some ulterior motives in mind. I figured that once the drinks started flowing and Suzie’s lovely voice honeyed the air I would talk to participants about how to make AYMP better. I wanted to test some ideas and creative concepts on some fresh eyes.

However, as I arrived I heard yelling and clapping and cheering. Strange. Out of place. This was supposed to be a plush bar. It had a piano. But people – a lot of people – were yelling and cheering. Some of them near the piano. It wasn’t long before I clocked that the lounge was full of Spaniards and the TV featured a football match between Reel Madrid and Barcelona.

Suzie arrived to set up for her gig but quickly realised that if she were to start singing to this crowd in the middle of a football match, she might not be so popular. So Suzie performed two short (but strategic) sets; at half time, and after the match.

Suzie Glass singing at The Longfords Bar

Also, although I had had quite a few confirmations of attendance for Event 5, I would receive a slew of texts and emails from would-be participants who couldn’t make it for one reason or another. In the end, it was me, Suzie and Simon (who had come out to two previous events) having a few cocktails. But the evening was productive.

Simon presented me with two thoughtful gifts: “Eccentric London” and “1,000 things to do in London” books to inspire some future events. Such a wonderful gesture! And I did achieve my ulterior motive by showing some creative materials to Simon and Suzie, allowing me to get some raw feedback on how to improve the AYMP site ahead of plans to scale.

Two gifts that can help inspire future events

I was inspired. And as ideas arrived, the crowd cheered. I know they were cheering footballers, but symbolically I also felt like some goals for AYMP are a lot clearer.

Happy Easter everyone. More soon…

More photos from the evening:

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This post is part of Event 5. To see all Event 5 posts, click here.