Cleethorpes Rocks with The Proclaimers and Simon Townshend
THERE was no need for local fans of The Proclaimers to walk 5,000 miles to see them – because they rocked up in Cleethorpes.
Scores of fans sang and danced the night away to the Scottish duo at the star-studded gig at Pleasure Island on Saturday night.
And if the headline act wasn't enough to get fans weak at the knees, The Who star Simon Townshend supported them.
Townhsend – who performed at the Olympics' closing ceremony just a few weeks ago – performed classics as well as material from his new solo album, Looking Out Looking In.
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In a backstage interview, he told the Grimsby Telegraph: "Playing the Olympics was fantastic but for me, when you play those sort of gigs the audience is so far away. Playing small gigs in the clubs and bars like this you can feel the atmosphere so much more. I like it as much as the massive ones – even if the pay is much better for the bigger shows!
"You can connect with the audience here, after the big gigs you walk offstage and a driver takes you away somewhere. At the smaller ones you get to hang around, you carry your own bag, it feels like you're going back to your roots.
"I feel very lucky that I am able to do both, I can play with The Who and as a solo artist."
Some lucky Proclaimers and Townshend fans were given back-stage passes to meet the stars – encounters they aren't likely to forget in a hurry.
Raychel Dolby, 33 and mum, Julie, 53, met The Proclaimers.
Julie said: "We are huge fans. We like everything about them. It was great to meet them and to see them perform in Cleethorpes."
David and Julie Childs were sneaked backstage to meet them because their first dance at their wedding was Let's Get Married.
David said: "I can't believe they are playing such a small venue. I have loved them since 1987 and it was a complete surprise to meet them but fantastic. They were great guys and it has been great to see them perform so close up."
Rob Blackmore and his niece, Gemma Russell-Hills, were overwhelmed to meet Townshend. His music means a lot to both of them because Gemma's late father was a huge fan. He died of a brain tumour six years ago.
Gemma said: "I wish dad was here to be part of it but I know he is here in spirit. Townshend is the coolest guy on the planet. He told me how sorry he was about my dad. It was lovely."
Rob added: "It has been an amazing night. I am a huge Who fan so to meet him was just great."
And it wasn't just the fans who were having a blast. Local band, Giskard, were on a high after supporting two of their biggest idols.
Bassist Mark Ramsden said: "It was absolutely awesome."
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