To ease us into the New Year (yes, we know it’s nearly the end of January and yes, we know calling it the New Year is stretching it somewhat) and to ease us back into the habit of writing, we thought we’d take a quick look back at our favourite musical moment of 2017. A gig that we went to over the summer, featuring one of our favourite bands.
To be fair, our moment was less about the music (though seeing Avec Sans live is always a pleasure and moment to be savoured), less about the gig itself, or even the venue. Our moment of 2017 was all about who we got to spend it with and why. Thanks to the wonderful Wake Up Gigs, we got to share it with our kids.
Wake Up Gigs was started by a couple of very good friends of ours, Adam and Sarada, when they became parents. As massive music fans and avid gig goers, they were determined not to miss out on their shared love of live music now that they had a little one to care for. The easy option would have been to call in family favours for childcare, but music had brought them together (they met at a gig) and they wanted to be able to share that experience with their son as well. So babysitter be damned, they looked at setting up their own live music event for parents and children to attend together.
There had been others before, but the summer was our first time at a Wake Up Gigs event. It made sense, we love Avec Sans, the kids had been singing along to the album in the car since it came out, of course we were going to go to this. Boy we were glad we did.
The atmosphere was amazing, so much joy from both parents and children. Ages ran from a few months to quite a few years and there was something there for everyone. To the side of the stage there was a soft play corner and balloon animals were being made on the other side. There was music related colouring and dress up and plenty of activities for the kids as well.
For the first time we were able to truly share the energy and vibrancy of live music with the kids and they loved it. They even had their favourite song from the album (“Heartbreak Hi”) dedicated to them. Not bad for their first gig. Jack and Alice were more than happy to stop and meet families, posing for photos and generally being the amazing people we know them to be, and Jack even let the kids come up on stage afterwards and play with his novation pads.
For a first gig, we couldn’t have asked for anything more for the mini-alphabetbands crew. The performance was incredible, the venue great and the whole environment and ethos was just perfect. We won’t lie, we may have had something in our eye watching the two most important people in our world dancing and singing along happily to a live show by one of our favourite bands in the world.
Wake Up Gigs is a wonderful concept, something truly magical for parents and kids to share the live music experience together. It was something our two won’t forget, something they still talk about and thoroughly enjoyed.
Without a shadow of a doubt, it was our musical moment of 2017 and one we would recommend to absolutely any music lovers with young children.
Alphabet Bands 
That has put some very happy images in my head this morning. Sounds joyous 🌸
Thanks Debra, it absolutely was.