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Chas ‘n’ Dave - Theatre Royal 2008

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Sometimes you just can’t beat a good old sing song. Ideally this should be in someone’s front room, a pub or other small, intimate place. The Theatre Royal Windsor was unexpectedly the perfect venue for London lads Chas and Dave to host a Sunday night of good wholesome entertainment; a cosy alternative to battening down the hatches against the wind and rain elsewhere.

Though many people will not admit to liking or even knowing any Chas and Dave hits, the likelihood is that they are lying. Now in their 60’s they could never have been accused of being cool, and they haven’t had a chart hit since 1986 but they’re having a bit a revival. Their gigs sell out and the fans span all ages… I was thrilled to find that I wasn’t the youngest person in the audience. Even my friend who’s resolutely into Ska and Indie music was keen to know if they were going to play Snooker Loopy. They did.

This was a show of two parts. The first being extremely friendly and made up as they went, playing “whatever comes to our heads” and the second containing all the hits. You could never hope to meet two nicer blokes (three if you count Mick the drummer). They’re just ordinary, slightly scruffy, family men who have a charming and friendly manner, a good sense of humour and a wonderful talent for music and lyrics. The three ambled on stage in casual gear, picked up their guitars and drumsticks and settled in for the first set. Chas did most of the talking, telling anecdotes about playing records at each others houses on their days off, his first grandson, Harry, and playing with Jerry Lee Lewis. It was so off the cuff and unpretentious that you felt like you were at a bit of a family gathering or down the pub. Both play guitar in the first half, with the set list differing every night. I was too busy enjoying myself to take notes but I think they played Harem and Harry Was A Champion. We had a bit of a ‘question time’ with Chas inviting questions from the audience. We leant who their favourite music artist in the last ten years is, who their favourite drummers, pianists and guitarists are and where they were born.

After a bar break or ‘interval’ as I believe they’re properly known, Chas and Dave were back, spruced up in suits and ready to turn out all the hits. Whistles whetted in preparation, the audience was in fine voice and sang along to just about very number. We got Rabbit, Margate, Gertcha, Ain’t No Pleasing You, Sideboard, Snooker Loopy, Poor Old Mr Woogie, London Girls, Wish I Could Write A Love Song and That’s What I Like; in no particular order. Despite an initial bass amp issue it all went swimmingly.

There wasn’t an encore (I’ve no idea what they could have played that they didn’t do in the main set) but Chas, in true London geezer style, pulled up a battered suitcase of CDs and at the end of the show, flogged them from the stage for a tenner a pop. Mick and Dave joined in the selling, and signing of various bits of merchandise, taking the time to have a chat and a photo taken with everyone. As I said, never a nicer bunch of guys. The atmosphere of the entire evening was brilliant, relaxed and fun. It was by far the most enjoyable evening I’ve had in months.

They’re doing a whole host of other dates in the run up to Christmas and I heartily recommend you get along to one. Fun for all the family.

“off the cuff and unpretentious”

Written by Vikki Roberts - November 2008
Read more: Gigs, Live Music, Reviews, Singer/Songwriter, Chas and Dave