YOUR granny knew: the old songs are the best and back in 1980, she was rock n rolling with the rest when she went to Reading Festival.
You see, Slade were performing and there was a late-summer performance of their famous festive hit.
As a special festive treat, we’ve got a recording from that amazing performance heading up this week’s Christmas playlist. What more could you ask for?
Well, we’ve got a feast of Christmas tunes, all with a connection to Reading and Wokingham. It’s unmissable.
In fact, it’s not a top 10, but a top 17 this week, and you can tune in for free with our unique Spotify link: https://bit.ly/RaWChristmas
The Reading Festival Crowd – Merry Xmas Everybody (Alive! At Reading)
A short but fun opener this week. Were you there and singing along in this one-minute crowd sing-along when Slade blew everyone away with an incredible set in 1980? I was.
It was certainly a memorable occasion.
The band had been on a slide in popularity and were a last-minute replacement for Ozzy Osbourne who had dropped out but they were so good that this performance well and truly brought them back.
This impromptu sing-along occurred when Slade front man Noddy Holder asked for any requests and the crowd sang a spontaneous Merry Xmas Everybody in the middle of summer. – https://www.davehillslade.com/
Modesty Blue – Christmas Nights in White Satin
Well, this is an interesting one. A song put together by local musician, Sean Lynch, with guest vocals from Sam Nolan, under the name Modesty Blue and you may recognise that chorus.
Sean has created a new Christmas single based around the classic Moody Blues song, Nights in White Satin and it definitely works. The moody classic has been turned into an uplifting fun Christmas song that would go down well in any Christmas party setting – https://www.facebook.com/modestybluemusic/
Wyldest – Office Christmas Party
This is a London band based around talented singer-songwriter Zoe Mead with a wonderful indie dream pop or, as Zoe describes it, ‘doom’ pop, style.
I first saw them live in their early days at a great show in Reading’s Oakford Social Club. They have released some impressive music since then and this is another good one, a wonderfully atmospheric new single about something I’m sure many can relate to – a couple forming a connection at an office Christmas party – https://www.wyldest.co.uk/
Tomorrow Bird – O Holy Night
Here’s a beautiful new recording of a classic carol.
It’s by Reading-based duo Jen Bird and Simon Driscoll who go under the name Tomorrow Bird.
They have just released an album of acoustic interpretations of Christmas carols called Mistletoe and it’s a wonderfully mellow affair.
If you need a break from the craziness of Christmas shopping and parties, sit back in your favourite chair with your favourite tipple and put this album on. You will soon feel in a relaxed contented seasonal state of mind.
Also though, do pop out to the Hope & Anchor in Wokingham on Christmas Eve. The duo will be performing there between 6pm and 8pm – https://www.tomorrowbird.com/
Also in our special Christmas playlist we have our three new additions from last week:
That Joe Payne – Greatest Gift of All – https://www.thatjoepayne.com/
Peaness – Kiss Me Sweet Pea – https://www.peanessband.com/
Eddie & The Hot Rods – It Feels Like Christmas – https://www.eddieandthehotrods.com/
That’s not all.
We also have our additions from last year too! Great Christmas music from Third Lung, Spriggan Mist, Voodoo Radio, Spizzenergi, Rocket Kings, That Joe Payne, John Otway, Albion Christmas Band, RyeWolf and Greg Lake
Merry Christmas Everybody. Hope you have a great festive period. We’ll be back on January 4 with our review of 2023.
