Having been to see Marty guesting with Rick Payne a month previously, and been amongst a very small, select audience, I wasn't sure what size of audience to expect with his new band - but we needn't have worried. By the time we arrived we could still get a table, but it was almost the last one, at the back (leading to the poor sound quality on the attached video clips). By the time the band came on stage the place was heaving and everyone was prepared to have a good time! 

The band consisted of Marty on lead vocals and playing his usual instruments - sax, accordion, a selection of harmonicas, flute and a new one on me - the bodhran, Les Dodd on acoustic guitars and vocals and Brian Duffy on accordion, piano and vocals. They sang a vast range of songs, some we didn't know and some very familiar. The Lindisfarne-related songs were Driftin' Through (of course!), All Fall Down and MMOTC. There was Still The One, Fairytale of New York, Just Walk Away Renee, Can't Help Falling In Love, Brown Eyed Girl, Just Want To Dance The Night Away, The Last Time, Dirty Old Town - and many more that I can't remember. As the evening went on, more and more people got up to dance - the music made it difficult not to!

During the interval who should arrive but Dave Hill's stag party contingent - where else to go but your mate's debut gig? Ray, Billy, Louise (it wasn't an entirely male party!) and the rest of them all seemed to enjoy the music as much as everyone else.

I would thoroughly recommend going to see the Happy Cats if you get the chance - you'll miss a treat if you don't. The only Lindisfarne addicts I came across were Michael and Rachel - although of course the place could've been full of people I didn't recognise! - but I suggest you give them a chance and have a lot of fun at the same time which Marty is certainly doing!