Day nine, where memories collide

This year was, as you can see, full of amazing things and good times.  But not all of it.  For some times, the most painful of events can haunt, and for some people no time is ever easy.  The passing of Chris Evans brought some of these issues all too powerfully to light.

I didn't know Chris was well as many, some of you perhaps reading this.  His death knocked me as something unexpected and unthought.  I was unaware of so much.  He left a hole in my life, but not as much as so many of the people I consider friends who had such a burden to take on; they did it bravely.

That made Dogstock this year such a bittersweet event.  As ever, it was about music, and some of the greatest music my community has to offer.  As ever, it was about drinking, and I think we nailed that one good and proper.  As ever, it was about friendship, and that was so much more potent this year than I've known anything to be for such along time.  I had a joyful and excitable weekend, and I was also proud.  The Dog and Partridge is such an incredible place, such a strong community, and Dogstock is a true celebration of all that.  And my bro seemed to have a great time.

In our occasional meetings in the months before his death, Chris and I had been toying with the idea of taking his band on a tour of Ireland with me tagging along to document it playwritey styley.  I'm not sure I ever thought it would happen, but it was fun discussing the plans and imagining what could come of it.  And that is why the event I really want to draw your attention to on this blog, and one of the best events of this year for me, was in fact nothing that I was involved in at all, but one I followed with admiration and jealousy.  For my money, Total Victory are just about the best band in Bolton at the moment.  They have some tough competition. The idea of them venturing to France for a tour (still) seems slightly bizarre.  But they did it.  And they're still together now.  You can, and should, read all about it here:-

http://makeitalittlebitlouder.wordpress.com/2013/11/14/total-victory-tour-diary-part-1-the-start/

I'm sure Chris would've been chuffed.