Tonight’s performance of Phill Jupitus’
tour show at Hitchin Mostly Comedy was a very easy night to contend with,
thanks largely to just how nice and easygoing Phill is.
Waking up on the day of the event felt strange, what with it being the first and only time in ten years that we weren’t performing in some form of other; normally I’d be looking over set notes or finalising our slideshow for the night, but today, I was at a bit of a loose end. It made absolute sense for us not to host in the usual way, what with it being a freestanding two-act show, and in a way it made for a pleasant change, but it’s not something I’d want to make a habit of loosely speaking, as it’s just not what the club is; having us top and tail each half is what gives the night its identity. That said, today it worked nicely, plus it freed us up to do everything necessary to cue the show for Phill.
I’ve said it before, but I can’t understate how lovely he is. The very fact he arrived at the venue alone with his set and gear in the back of his car - and no need for a tour manager - just served to reiterate how low-key and unassuming he is. Prior to the event, we’d been sent a rider which had nothing outlandish in it, but when it came to it, he was just grateful for us picking everything up, but didn’t seem to need it. Far lesser-known comics have been more demanding, and would never have considered offering on popping to ASDA prior to the gig, “Does anybody want anything?”. He was also very generous with his time and more than happy to pose for countless selfies, even having the self-awareness to offer to take the photo on the punters' behalf as “Their hands will be shaking”, an observation he made with the least amount of self-aggrandising; he was just trying to help people out.
Perhaps the most striking example of his attention to detail happened at the end of his set, when he read out the list of everyone who’d worked on the gig, down to the door and bar staff; Glyn had written both our full names separately, but without a moment’s hesitation, Phill thanked us as Doggett & Ephgrave, without having heard anyone describe us as that all night; he just remembered it. Also, one of the first things he mentioned on arriving was the podcast we recorded together four years previously, and one of the last things he said before driving away was how he’d happily record another one soon; again, people we know better have offered far less.
Waking up on the day of the event felt strange, what with it being the first and only time in ten years that we weren’t performing in some form of other; normally I’d be looking over set notes or finalising our slideshow for the night, but today, I was at a bit of a loose end. It made absolute sense for us not to host in the usual way, what with it being a freestanding two-act show, and in a way it made for a pleasant change, but it’s not something I’d want to make a habit of loosely speaking, as it’s just not what the club is; having us top and tail each half is what gives the night its identity. That said, today it worked nicely, plus it freed us up to do everything necessary to cue the show for Phill.
I’ve said it before, but I can’t understate how lovely he is. The very fact he arrived at the venue alone with his set and gear in the back of his car - and no need for a tour manager - just served to reiterate how low-key and unassuming he is. Prior to the event, we’d been sent a rider which had nothing outlandish in it, but when it came to it, he was just grateful for us picking everything up, but didn’t seem to need it. Far lesser-known comics have been more demanding, and would never have considered offering on popping to ASDA prior to the gig, “Does anybody want anything?”. He was also very generous with his time and more than happy to pose for countless selfies, even having the self-awareness to offer to take the photo on the punters' behalf as “Their hands will be shaking”, an observation he made with the least amount of self-aggrandising; he was just trying to help people out.
Perhaps the most striking example of his attention to detail happened at the end of his set, when he read out the list of everyone who’d worked on the gig, down to the door and bar staff; Glyn had written both our full names separately, but without a moment’s hesitation, Phill thanked us as Doggett & Ephgrave, without having heard anyone describe us as that all night; he just remembered it. Also, one of the first things he mentioned on arriving was the podcast we recorded together four years previously, and one of the last things he said before driving away was how he’d happily record another one soon; again, people we know better have offered far less.