I ignored it.
It flashed at me.
![Chim Chim-in-ey Chim Chim-in-ey](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/98/989875/chim-chim-in-ey-L-nnYuN8.jpeg)
It was a message from Sinead. It was short, sweet, and to the point. 'Chimney Boys playing tonight in Broadstairs, if you fancy joining me?'
Ooh, it was tempting. So, so tempting. It was also a school night. You can start to see why Sinead is a bad influence? It was alright for her - she had just come back from the Edinburgh Fringe and was still on annual leave. I, on the other hand, was very much still in work and had to be in on time for a meeting the next day. On the other hand, I hadn't seen any of the Broadstairs Folk Festival yet (I had been a coward about it over the weekend when the weather was bad and I decided that the sofa was too warm and comfortable to even consider entertaining the idea of setting on toe outdoors) and this was the last week of the Festival. I also liked The Chimney Boys, having seen them perform before at one of Green Diesel's gigs at The Ballroom.
![Chim Chim-in-ey Chim Chim-in-ey](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/98/989875/chim-chim-in-ey-L-2BmaNb.jpeg)
Steve was going to be playing darts all night, I didn't have a rehearsal, so why the hell not. I threw caution to the wind, messaged Shay back and told her I was on, and we arranged to meet at the Wrotham Arms (which was handy as that was where the gig was).
![Chim Chim-in-ey Chim Chim-in-ey](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/98/989875/chim-chim-in-ey-L-ePWOre.jpeg)
![Chim Chim-in-ey Chim Chim-in-ey](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/98/989875/chim-chim-in-ey-L-BU8f6M.jpeg)
The eagle eyed amongst you may have noticed by now that the Chimney Boys lineup that night was looking remarkably similar to Green Diesel's regular line up. The bands around here have a habit of swapping members for one off gigs when numbers are a bit low. Sinead commented that seeing the Chimney Boys as an all male ensemble for a change (as none of the girls could make it) made a real difference to their sound.
![Chim Chim-in-ey Chim Chim-in-ey](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/98/989875/chim-chim-in-ey-L-aBXF31.jpeg)
![Chim Chim-in-ey Chim Chim-in-ey](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/98/989875/chim-chim-in-ey-L-twusAW.jpeg)
![Chim Chim-in-ey Chim Chim-in-ey](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/98/989875/chim-chim-in-ey-L-6s6LPD.jpeg)
There was a bit of a pause after the first 8 songs or so and a mass rush for the loos (all that beer) plus a mass rush for the doors (seriously, it was SO hot!) and predictably a rush for the bar and then we launched into the second half.
![Chim Chim-in-ey Chim Chim-in-ey](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/98/989875/chim-chim-in-ey-L-wSmLO0.jpeg)
![Chim Chim-in-ey Chim Chim-in-ey](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/98/989875/chim-chim-in-ey-L-VaZbYr.jpeg)
I think what I enjoy most about gigs like this (other than the fact I am out midweek with my friends) is the fact that the band members themselves seem to be genuinely enjoying themselves.
![Chim Chim-in-ey Chim Chim-in-ey](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/98/989875/chim-chim-in-ey-L-pzNh7H.jpeg)
![Chim Chim-in-ey Chim Chim-in-ey](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/98/989875/chim-chim-in-ey-L-VtuTD1.jpeg)
![Chim Chim-in-ey Chim Chim-in-ey](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/98/989875/chim-chim-in-ey-L-lpYLNG.jpeg)
![Chim Chim-in-ey Chim Chim-in-ey](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/98/989875/chim-chim-in-ey-L-3_9_6Q.jpeg)
![Chim Chim-in-ey Chim Chim-in-ey](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/98/989875/chim-chim-in-ey-L-g7DZjP.jpeg)
![Chim Chim-in-ey Chim Chim-in-ey](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/98/989875/chim-chim-in-ey-L-vlCb2a.jpeg)
It's a good way to spend an evening. Even if I didn't get home until gone midnight.
![Chim Chim-in-ey Chim Chim-in-ey](http://m5.paperblog.com/i/98/989875/chim-chim-in-ey-L-FfsctM.jpeg)
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