Eyre Chapel, Chesterfield

So I'm not allowed to be out in the sun with these tablets either...
So here's a little review of the gig at the perfect little Eyre Chapel, in Chesterfield, the town with the twisty-spired cathedral.

Tucked behind one of Chesterfield's many splendrous pubs, and across a dark car-park, there is a little oblong stone chapel with a wooden door; this is where David Lelievre decided to put on his first ever gig. I had picked Martin up at Luton and we drove up, bumping into Andrew 'guitar weekends' Bailey in the car park and Mike (of Mike-and-June, I hope June's better soon).
The chairs were out in neat rows and people were arriving already, looking excited. We did a quick soundcheck. The chapel is beautiful inside; it has plain whitewashed walls with shield-shaped wooden memorials attached at intervals, and big unvarnished wooden beams holding up its ceiling. Under the old altar there are lumps of statue, or at least, decorative masonry, and there's a tiny kitchen at the back. The back wall is hung with a giant patchwork tapestry, multicoloured and almost American-looking.
The audience was small and attentive, looking like a huge nest of beady-eyed animals, smiling in the cosy gloom; there was none of the rattling, mobile phonery, crackling, clinking or muttering that you get in pubs. This had a 'night out' feel, with the implication of treasured time, babysitters and for Martin's set, memories of student youth and happy gigs back in time. They received my set very warmly, which I really appreciated as it's still hard to play after McDad's passing.
Martin joined in on the Telecaster for Poetry and Rhyme, Autumn Love, Hamilton Square and Loverman. When he took to the stage it was great to be able to hear the words of his songs so clearly; he sang Crocodile Cryer as though he had only just written it.
He told stories and the audience members conversed with him happily. He did a lot of older songs, some that I had never heard before, as well as Rain and Home, and at several people's request, Nancy.
I thought it was the perfect gig- well-organised, sold out, and full of friendly people who wanted to listen. What more could anyone want?