I first came across 3 Daft Monkeys at the Oxford Folk Festival earlier this year.  I'd just arrived in Oxford (I was stewarding for the festival) and thought I'd sit in on whoever was playing in the Town Hall.  I thought they were amazing and was thrilled when I saw they were playing locally earlier this month.

 Oh dear - what a disappointment the gig turned out to be.  Not the band's fault though.  The gig was a sell out, but as it was in the rather small Studio space downstairs at the Met, that was hardly surprising. The stage was only about 6 inches high, and for a standing gig (we had expected cabaret seating) that meant only the people at the front could see.  It must have been quite intimidating for the band too, who commented that most of the audience were taller than them.  There had a been a beer festival in the building that day, so a large proportion of the audience were rather the worse for wear, and far from fragrant.  The gig started late with a fairly dire support band, who had more kit that the Monkeys, which took ages to clear off the stage.  The main act finally came on at 9.30 and we'd been standing around since 8 in a hot smelly room with people who were determined to talk all the way through the music.  The sound was rather muddy, which didn't help, so I'm not really sure which songs they played.  We left after half an hour, all four of our group very disappointed.  To cap it all, someone was being beaten up outside!

 I hope I can see them again sometime - in more pleasant surroundings!