Euro vision

I wondered why this was billed as a Eurovision night and today I see that it is "the release party for Junodef's new single 'Eurovision 2004' on Friday May 13."  Although anything Eurovision was lacking bar a few eurodisco tracks by the DJ. I've had an up and down week having had a great Wednesday evening, traumatic Thursday evening and hoping for a good Friday. As Debbie and me arrive our friends Pete, Wendy, Simon and Jules are already installed at a table with wine in an ice bucket which is very upmarket for the Windmill. It's the first time all six of us have been together since the start of the global lock down. First up is Estrid Nyman who's name suggests a euro connection. Estrid plays guitar and sings with a great moody voice. They have backing tracks which Pete reckons is Garage Band but unfortunately the guitar is impossible to hear at least for me. Next is more euro connection as we have a self proclaimed French singer with band called Mathilde Bataille. Guitar, bass and drums. A neat 3-piece. Nice size for the Windmill stage. They play a fantastic set of atmospheric songs that remind me a lot of very early Tracey Thorn. Not exactly the same but that lovely mix of melancholy strumming and vocals interspersed with a bit of soaring tunefulness before bringing us back down to earth. My and Debbie's favourite of the evening. Now the evening takes a strange turn. I would blame it on the beer but Roadie isn't that strong and I've not had that much. I blame it on today being Friday 13th with a waxing moon nearly full. Strange things going on. Anyway the result is that I swear a bit too vehemently at Wendy when she, as I now admit, innocently asks how Arsenal were getting on. I thought she was winding me up about Thursday night's trauma. Truly sorry Wendy. And during the headliner single launchers Junodef Simon has an altercation on the dance floor with someone innocently trying to take a photo with their phone. Mind you he does seem to have consumed most of the contents of the ice bucket bottle plus the refill. The band themselves sound OK but to be honest I wasn't in the mood for a bit of up tempo music having been seduced by the previous downbeat artists. And I didn't get a photo of them. Probably just as well as Simon would have swiped the phone off me. By this stage Pete and Wendy have left. Following the band we spurn the promised euro disco and say goodbyes. Whilst Debbie and I unlock our bikes we watch a woman excitedly playing with Son of Roof Dog with his ball whilst her friends are concerned that the dog will leap off and savage her. A great night so the week has ended on a good note.

Estrid Nyman - not sure if guitar is plugged in

Mathilde Bataille and friends