Tour diary: Guernsey 2024 Specsavers Liberation Balls
In May 2024, Down for the Count’s 11-piece All-Stars band were thrilled to be invited to perform at three events on the island of Guernsey, as part of the Liberation Day celebrations.
The Channel Islands were occupied by German forces during World War II (the only parts of the British Isles that were occupied), and the annual Liberation Day celebrations on 9th May mark the end of that occupation.
It was a real honour for us to be invited to be a part of the occasion, as the Liberation Day events not only commemorate the fallen but also celebrate freedom. Meeting islanders who were living on the islands during the occupation was a very humbling experience for us, and was a reminder that freedom cannot be taken for granted. It was also the first Liberation Day since the announcement of a government enquiry into the occupation of Alderney, with recent evidence unearthing the possibilities of there being a concentration camp on British soil during the war, which added a certain sombreness to some of the proceedings.
The 11 musicians travelled over to Guernsey on Liberation Day itself (Thursday 9th May), with some of us travelling by commercial flights whilst others were transported in luxury by our client, Specsavers, on their private plane. The experience of heading to Biggin Hill airport in south London for a private plane journey across the channel was a unique experience which none of us will forget in hurry!
Above: the Specsavers plane on the tarmac at Biggin Hill airfield and below, Down for the Count on a private plane - we could get used to this lifestyle...
We arrived in Guernsey at lunchtime and were able to enjoy most of the Liberation Day celebrations – including live music on the waterfront, a delicious lunch, a stroll around the streets of St. Peter Port, bumping into our new friends and co-performers The Bluebird Belles (about whom more below), before finishing the evening off with a curry.
However we also had to get our instruments across to the island – John, Tim and Jamie kindly offered to accompany the van on the ferry, and arrived later that evening. They were booked on the fast ferry but one of the engines had broken, meaning the boat had been reduced to a slow chug across the channel. Luckily they had a pack of cards to entertain them on the crossing!
On Friday morning, we woke up at our hotel and walked all of 2 minutes to get to the venue. We were working with production company Delta Productions who had already been at the venue for two and half days, transforming a sports hall (the largest space on Guernsey) into a stunning ballroom for the three events.
After soundcheck, it was time to rehearse our joint songs with The Bluebird Belles. Whilst Down for the Count were performing at the Liberation Day events for the first time, The Bluebird Belles are regulars at the event – so for a special touch, we decided to do some joint numbers together, including two Andrews Sisters songs, “Bei Mir Bist du Schoen” and “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy”. We rehearsed the songs with the Belles for the first time after soundcheck, and declared them ready to put in the show a few hours later.
Band leader Mike Paul-Smith with the sensational Bluebird Belles
We then caught up with the host and for all three events, TV personality Rob Rinder. At events like this we have to work closely with the compère and we couldn’t have been in better hands than Rob’s, who instantly made us feel at ease.
Vocalist Callum Gillies with Rob Rinder
After a quick sandwich for lunch, it was time for the first of the three events: The Liberation Ball, which is an invitation-only afternoon tea dance event for islanders who were alive during the German occupation. We started proceedings with the National Anthem, before The Bluebird Belles took to the stage for a rousing, flag-waving set.
After the Belles had performed it was our turn. We started the set with 1940s big band classics, before moving on to some Rat Pack repertoire. It was fantastic seeing the dancefloor full of swing and Lindy hop dancers who all seemed to enjoy our choice of music.
The afternoon went in a flash and before we knew it, it was time for the finale. A tradition of The Liberation Ball is a sing-a-long, so the band were joined onstage with The Bluebird Belles who led the audience in rousing renditions of We’ll Meet Again, New York New York, and some wartime classics, before the afternoon closed with a heartfelt performance of the unofficial national anthem of Guernsey, “Sarnia Cherie”.
We then had a few hours off. Some people returned to the hotel for a rest, whilst others got in a bit of sightseeing: Mike headed towards Jerbourg on the south-east tip of the island, for stunning views across the sea to the small island of Sark.
Above: the view from Jerbourg, at the south-eastern tip of Guernsey. Not shown: sweaty Mike, mid-run...
Then it was back to the venue for the evening event – the first of two Hangar Balls. These are ticketed events open to anyone, and we had been told to expect a joyful and potentially rowdy party. There was an added moment of pomp and ceremony at this event because we were joined by members of the Chelsea Pensioners and The Gherkas, who were guests of honour at the event.
At the Hangar Balls we performed three sets – one of traditional big band music, one of Rat Pack repertoire, and one of soul and Motown to round the evening off in style. The dancefloor was full from the first song to the last, and the audience were even demanding another encore after New York New York – something which, according to Rob Rinder, had never happened before.
All-in-all, Friday was a long and tiring day – but also a very rewarding one! We therefore congratulated ourselves with a drink at the hotel before heading to bed to rest before an early start on Saturday.
As we left the hotel on Saturday morning we were briefly made to feel like celebrities, as the televisions in the hotel reception were showing a news item about the event on BBC Channel Islands. Unfortunately we started filming the item just after the close-ups on us, but we were able to snap a quick picture of the lovely Amy who organised the event!
Above: event organiser Amy O'Brien from Specsavers being interviewed on BBC Channel Islands
After breakfast on Saturday we had ambitious sight-seeing plans – a boat trip across the bay to the island of Herm, a picturesque car-free island barely 2km long and less than 1km wide.
A group of 6 of us made the boat trip, and then set off on a spectacular circular hike around this pristine, beautiful island – a real highlight of the trip for all of us.
Then on Saturday evening we headed back to the venue for one final event – another Hangar Ball, which was an even bigger affair than the night before. There was a celebratory mood in the air as we rounded off the trip in style. One of the special parts of the Hangar Ball was the opportunity for Mike and Callum to lead two short dance classes, teaching guests a spot of 1920s Charleston followed by a Charleston stroll.
All three events were incredibly special to be a part of, and we were made to feel incredibly welcome by the Specsavers team, by compère Rob Rinder, and by the production company Delta. Thank you so much for having us, and we hope to return in years to come!
The Down for the Count All-Stars with TV personality and compère Rob Rinder
About the author
Mike Paul-Smith is the musical director of Down for the Count. He formed the band in 2005 and since then has directed them for performances at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club, Cadogan Hall London, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, The London Jazz Festival, Twinwood Festival, and at countless other theatre and jazz club shows.
