A Fond Farewell
Mark the 27th of November in your calendar and mark it with a big black circle, for that is the date that Edward II are playing their last ever gig. The venue for the bittersweet occasion is Leicester's De Montfort Hall.
The gig not only marks the end of their "For One Year Only Tour" which has seen them perform at over 20 festivals and numerous other venues over the course of this year, it also marks the end of a twenty five year story that started in Cheltenham back in '84 when they were known as Edward The Second And The Red Hot Polkas.
Over the years as the band got older, the band name became shorter, down to E2 and then longer again.
Gigs racked up a phenomenal rate, over 200 a year at times and then back in '99 the band decided to call it a day so that the members could pursue numerous other projects. The band chose the De Montfort Hall as the venue for their last ever gig and went their separate ways after a night that could only be described as phenomenal.
It's no coincidence that the band who reformed for just one year, chose the same venue for the new 'last ever' gig.
Even with a sabbatical, bands don't survive twenty five years without being able to back the name with top draw sounds, something Edward II have done in abundance. They were one of the first bands to understand that fusing styles of music brought not only a new genre of music into existence, it brought musicians into new and exciting spaces.
One of the reasons for the band's longevity is their ability to appeal right across the musical and cultural spectrum, so it was no surprise to find the band lending their support to the Folk Against Fascism movement at their gigs this year.
As a band they've never been an outfit to shirk away from the politics that music can help to confront or publicise a cause. As well as a great sound, Edward II have proved to be a worthwhile sounding board for social justice with a number of causes supported by the band over the years.
Should you be unfortunate enough not to be able to make the last ever gig, you can at least console yourself with a copy of the inevitable greatest hits compilation "Edward II: The Definitive Collection" a two cd set that really does bring you nineteen tracks from right back to the really early days all the way through to the first of the final days.
November 27th will be of those nights that people will claim to have been at. One thing's for certain, it's not going to be for the faint hearted. In their various guises Edward The Second have served us proud and I guess those of us that won't be there are missing them already.