REMF - The Perfect Match

Albion Supporters 1, Palace Supporters 0
Friday 19th April
The Dripping Pan, Lewes

Wow! Over £4,200 raised at the Robert Eaton Memorial Fund (REMF) football match between Albion supporters and Palace supporters at Lewes last night. A brilliant effort. 

The memorial fund was set up in memory of Albion fan Robert Eaton who sadly lost his life in the terrorist attack on the twin towers in New York in 2001. This annual match between Seagulls and Eagles fans has helped raise funds for REMF and also highlights the goodwill and friendship that can be achieved by football fans of opposing clubs joining together in a common cause. Visit the REMF website here. 

Personal highlight of the evening for me? Well, I finally got to meet the legend that is Peter Ward. Grateful thanks go to the players that took part and the people behind the scenes at REMF that organise this annual event. Extra special thanks also to the fans of Crystal Palace and the gorgeous Crystals (yes, I'm a fan) for making the journey down and coming along in the true spirit of football to support such a worthy cause. So nice to see players and supporters of both clubs sitting next to each other, exchanging banter and having a really good time, without any sign of trouble. Genuine fans showing that football really can bring people closer together.

As the evening wore on it got pretty cold at the Dripping Pan (what a great name for a football ground) but the Crystals, who danced without music because the PA temporarily packed up, and a bloody great big fluffy mascot bird thing called Pete the Eagle, kept us entertained during the half time break. 

For those of you interested the Albion supporters won a close game 1-0. But perhaps on this one occasion in a match between Albion & Palace it wasn't the result that really mattered, it was the money raised for REMF that was more important. There's a nice review of the match from a Palace perspective here.

Oh, and did I mention that I finally got to meet the legend that is Peter Ward...and no 8 is Peter Ward, and no 9 is Peter Ward, and no 10 is....

Celebrations after last year's REMF match

Read All About It

Emeli Sandé In Concert
Brighton Dome
Friday 5th April 2013

Emeli Sandé was simply brilliant at a sold out Dome tonight. What a powerful voice and such great songs. Performing mostly material from her debut album 'Our Version Of Events' I particularly liked 'Clown' and 'Read All About It'. Highlight of the show for me though was her achingly sad and emotional version of 'Suitcase' which was re-worked simply with just her voice and a bass guitar, a very moving and touching rendition. Every song she sang was a winner and I thought she looked a little bit more comfortable sitting at her piano rather than on her feet with her sometimes slightly awkward stage presence but this lady put her heart, body and soul into every word she sang, she meant every line of every song. Wonderful to see and hear. Emeli Sandé is a really talented vocalist and songwriter and I for one can't wait to hear her next album. This was the best female vocal performance I've seen in years.

The support act, Jacob Banks, was also very good. He's not a name that I was familiar with until tonight but this talented 21 year old soul singer from Birmingham proved himself to be an excellent vocalist with a real rich soulful voice and although relatively new to the music scene it may well be worth exploring his music further. A pleasant and welcome surprise. www.jacobbanks.co.uk  

Also a special mention here for the fabulous Brighton Dome, without doubt this has to be one of the best concert halls outside of London. The drinks might be a bit pricey but it's a classy venue for a classy act. A great night out.

Emeli's debut album Our Version Of Events