Sea shanties and Pink Floyd.

Worcester: In a dark street, central city, a small venue offering a stage, bar, and dance floor. The Marrs Bar is cosy, with couches lining one wall, and bar stools at tall round tables along another. The sound and lighting man does a great job, supporting whichever act is playing.

I was in an unfamiliar city, after dark, to see entertainers I’d never heard of, and attending on my own. Was this smart? Precautions were needed. I stood opposite the venue, checking out the patrons. The first two couples to arrive looked my age, and quite normal really.

In I went. What a magical night! ‘Dan,’ wearing a slightly incongruous captains hat, sang old sea shanties on an antique wooden sailors version of the accordion. Before his third song, he said we were to all sing along. Other musicians went up on stage to assist. Dan guaranteed every person in the room would know the song. We were doubtful. But he should have put a bet on it; soon the room was belting ‘Roll out the barrel, give us a bottle of rum…’

I wondered what the next acts would be, given the intending musicians certainly didn’t look the sea-going type. Two young women sang a pleasant set of contemporary music, and I thought about heading away.

But then, the night changed tempo completely! Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin were in the house! The place rocked, with young and old singing their hearts out. The band members were all terrifically skilled, especially the saxophonist.

Such a contrast; sea shanties and rock. What a night!