Drunk in Public. (a.k.a. The Levellers)

Esquires Bedford Lev 2. 13th December 2006.

As I arrive at the venue tonight for a pre-gig pint, I find Danny's Bar absolutely packed. Ladies and gentlemen of all ages are eagerly anticipating the return to Esquires of DRUNK IN PUBLIC, who last performed here in the summer of 2002, a night which still appears fresh in the memory of most of the gig goers tonight. Although playing under this name Drunk In Public, they are Mark, Simon and Jon of the legendary Levellers, plus Rev Hammer, who make up this acoustic quartet.

It makes for a novel change to have a busker in the downstairs foyer as a catalyst to start the evening's entertainment on Level 2. Once upstairs, one can only marvel at the stage design, six long cotton sheets of varying colours hang down, each one carrying I would think a New Age symbol? These are flanked on either side by a couple of very elegant upright Edwardian lampshades, topped off by the four comfy chairs ready for our performers.

Just after nine o'clock, Drunk in Public take to the stage and their greeting is brisk and to the point. "It's Christmas, we are back, and we're skint!". Whereupon they open with the violin drenched strains of 'Welsh Jig'. As they prepare for 'Caledonian Rain', the first of some amusing and witty anecdotal comments are made, this one concerning a bald man going to the gents. Yes, really!

Tonight is Drunk in Public's start to a short mini tour and in the prologue to the evening, they promise to 'build you up and then take you down'. 'No One And Nothing' is dedicated to all lovers in the audience, whilst the following song 'Together All The Way' probably sums up the evening and it's ethos.

I freely admit that I am not the biggest fan of the Levellers, but even my spirits match those of their die-hard fans when Drunk In Public give us he classic 'What A Beautiful Day'. However, I suppose the song doesn't carry the same clout on a cold December night as it would on a hot summers evening in a Cornish field. With '15 Years' following swiftly, the band then adjourned for a half time break and the chance for a crowd to quench their thirst.

As the quartet reassemble for the second half, the tempo notably moves up a notch, possibly because of the alcohol refuel. The audience are in top form as they sing-along to 'Sell Out', altogether now, "You sold them down the river".

The crusty old gents on stage are in the pomp as 'Carry Me' incurs some delirious dancing frenzy. Heads are bob-bobbin' up and down, it's a good atmosphere for a Wednesday evening gig. It continues with the jaunty 'Burford Stomp', then apparently for our hometown, the band finish off with 'River of Joy' and 'River Flow'. Well thought out gents! As they depart the stage to wild cheering and noisy applause, we are afforded a short encore of which 'One Way' gives everybody one last chance to let themselves go. When the band leave us for good, at just after twenty past eleven, after two solid hours, it's fair to say everybody in the venue are drunk in public, either by spirit or emotion.