When the Magic Numbers said ‘Yes’ to playing in 2013 I was delighted .. 

I felt they were a serious feather in our cap, us being a new emerging festival, though

in all honesty I didn’t have a deep knowledge of what their live shows were like.

I knew the hits, liked the freshness they exuded, and had a deep respect and a feeling they were coming from a good place (not least their choosing to walk out of TOTP in a dignified response to a cheap insult from a presenter)

Tickets sold well, we were closing in on a sellout and a packed Crown Ballroom is always a joyous sight. 

(Only in Nantwich could you be watching indie heroes in a 16th century ballroom in a wattle and daub building with rickety stairs, and mannequin minstrels behind the stage in a raised gallery)

And I expected Magic Numbers to be tight, accomplished and probably thought they’d rattle through a slick show with a  ‘give the people what they want’ vibe. 

Well  they certainly did the latter, but the band were something else altogether .. 

There  was no ‘going through the motions’, 

They were spontaneous, personable, witty and far from the efficient but ‘by-the-book’ tightness that becomes the MO for many touring bands.

Romeo’s songs somehow resonated all the more in the intimate setting, Michelle’s legendary bass playing bubbled and weaved, and Angela moved between instruments seamlessly, always with empathy and restraint.

There was a gloriously ramshackle effervescence .. 

hits were sprinkled liberally, randomly even, through the set.. 

requests were shouted out and accepted, unlikely cover versions sprung up at regular intervals. 

And the hits weren’t delivered in self-aggrandising style, they were often re-imagined, delivered lightly and free spiritedly.. much to the delight of a packed room who were up dancing from the get-go.

By the encore, the Magic Numbers were running through every cover version in their repertoire (and a few that weren’t)

they invited the opening act on stage, along with various friends and crew. 

Just when I thought the night couldn’t conjure any more surprises I found myself summoned onstage to drum on Neil Youngs “Harvest Moon” while Sean Gannon left the kit to play harmonica front of stage.

The Magic Numbers were a dream to host in Nantwich. 

Aside from all being great players and singers, their gig was full of warmth, melody, songcraft and commitment.

It was an uplifting night, and for us as a festival it embodied much of what we stand for and love.

So that was one of my favourite W&M festival moments – WHAT WAS YOURS?

Thanks to Kirsty Rollings for the photo!