23rd May 2005

Nostalgia....These photos were taken with my small Canon digital in low light and smoke nearly 4 years ago now! Even so they bring back wonderful memories.
 I've added Colne here as a favourite gig because it was a turning point. This was my first gig hearing David play piano and I was blown away with his performance.
First time hearing him sing with John Kielty - they are a wonderful duo. Also with Harry Ward on top class guitar. David performed 12 songs...
(5 Sham songs, 3 songs from David's Album, 4 covers) - Best of Order, Star, Hiding From Me, Weather with You, Goodbye Baby, Don’t Let Go, Let it Be, Littlest Hobo, Long Time Coming, Only a Boy, No More Words, Sweet Home Alabama....
I have posted all the lovely comments fans wrote after - see below - although David seemed unhappy after. His 'No words Words' brought tears....
However the festival was not well marketed, in fact it was hard to find the event. There were no signs up anywhere about it - and it was its first year. There were the David fans and teenagers. A fairly big hall perhaps half full. John had persuaded David to play it. It meant David flying up to rehearse with Harry and John and driving all the way there from Edinburgh in a hired car with no CD player I heard! - about a 6 hour drive. Harry was awesome on guitar btw – it made me think how amazing if the Martians had played with David and on the album in 2003 – all so sad in hindsight. Made much more sense than Elton's band. Hope you enjoy.

 David & John perform as a Duo 'a wonderful acoustic set at Colne Music Festival'

David sang from the heart and inspired us with some wonderful music on Saturday. He and John took us on a musical time travel and sang Sham songs, Busking songs and songs from David's Album, producing a set with a wide variety of moods, and giving us some classics he does so well- Let it Be, Long Time Coming and the mind-blowing No More Words. A very well-chosen set of songs.
They sang twelve songs in all - 5 Sham songs, 3 songs from David's Album, and 4 covers - Best of Order, Star, Hiding From Me, Weather with You, Goodbye Baby, Don’t Let Go, Let it Be, Littlest Hobo, Long Time Coming, Only a Boy, No More Words, Sweet Home Alabama
For a perfect encore they did Sweet Home Alabama( Lynyrd Skynrd a heavy metal group from Alabama, shows how good they are to do this acoustically) with well-matched harmonies, a very up and relaxing end to the set. Absolutely love the choice of covers, some of my all time favourites from Crowded House(Weather With You) and the Beatles(Let It Be). Brilliant harmonies on both songs. While Littlest Hobo added a light touch with Dave unable to play the Kazoo for laughing! Another lovely moment was in 'Let It Be' when Harry joined in with the guitar, Dave was just smiling away to himself. That’s what I remember with David his delight and passion for music.

Even so far as looking the David Sneddon of 2003 in red sports top and dark short hair! Meanwhile John looked the band guy with long hair and long leather jacket! And yet this was a more mature, relaxed and real David, clearly enjoying himself on stage.

One moment he’s smiling light-heartedly, the next singing infectious melodies backed by John’s guitar, and then giving one of his intense performances at the piano. He had the familiar keyboards back on stage, John on his right on acoustic and Harry, from the Martian band on electric guitar to his left, producing while a lower-key sound than The Sham, a very professional, highly entertaining and enjoyable hour of music.  A special mention for both Harry and John’s guitar playing, which was excellent and exactly spot on, alongside David’s wonderful piano-playing. Rhythmically the set flowed perfectly, and John’s backing vocals match David’s so well.

At one point David at the keyboards said, I’m going to sing a song you’ll know, it was ‘Let It Be’, lovely to hear David perform one of the songs that inspired him to go into music. As expected a very moving version of this classic song. Other highlights were hearing 'Long Time Coming' live – ‘great song Mr Kielty’- and the sexy acoustic Goodbye Baby. Both songs show to perfection David’s emotional range and moving vocals. Finishing with the best performance yet of No More Words, and several came into the hall to hear it. Music speaks louder than words I was overcome hearing this. I’ll be floating for weeks.

There was great rapport with the audience with funny banter between John and David, aided this time by a gang of teenage lads who took up the centre stage and enjoyed waving their arms to several songs. David is always ready with a fast response. The hall was in a fairly new sport centre and there was a mixed crowd; several teenage girls and the Sham fans. Although not full, they were showing the gig outside on large video screens to those at the Bungie jump and other activities.

The festival had an excellent sounds system, lighting and stage.... and a smoke machine. So glad my pics turned out OK. There was a bit of feedback on the first song but otherwise the sound mixing was very good. Before the guys there was a young local rock band, their ages ranging from 13 to 17. This was the first year for the festival, great idea to encourage new bands.
It’s hard to explain, but it felt like the old David back on stage, not just in looks but in his lovely performances that caught our attention on TV. David looked very comfortable back on stage with his two Martian band mates. Dave’s ‘new?’ image – we were all a bit taken aback, not quite sure what to think - he did look younger.
Never seen Dave more at home and relaxed on stage. Also by miles the best vocals I've heard from him, outstanding.

.. lovely gig....more please...soon!!!
HUGE thanks to John, Dave and Harry for such a great gig.
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Big thanks to Marian for driving us down the 4 hours through the rain. It was clear weather in Colne though. I’ve lost my voice today and my family are highly amused! Too much chatting in the car I said! Huge thanks to Mary for her hard work with the Festival.
Lovely to meet up with everyone again and I hope its not too long to the band or John and Dave gig again.