Well I was surprised when a friend sent me an email asking me if I would like to attend the Giff Gaff launch in Chester, two days away, er..
I went on to read about it. What caught my attention?
One of the most iconic boybands of the 1990s will be turning up the volume (and the speed) for a special switch-on party in Chester this week.
The mystery stars are currently on a sell-out reunion tour and will be dropping in to a community pub in Handbridge to lend a hand (or five).
That’s it – you’ve got me, I will be on my way!
Can’t say ‘no’ to a double dose of FIVE in one month
Well I was going to their concert in Liverpool that night in Liverpool, so why not a double dose of FIVE and see them on Thursday as well?
I can’t believe that FIVE are going to a pub in Chester! They are in the middle of a sold out arena tour, performing to thousands every night.
Bring it on!
A small number of free tickets were released each day and 100 lucky fans got the equivalent of Willy Wonka’s ticket to the chocolate factory.
Giff Gaff was launching its 5G broadband service in Chester
The press release told me that over half of the nation (53%) suffers from regular broadband issues at least twice a month, and over 340,000 people in the North West alone are missing out on gig tickets as a result. Giff Gaff is helping right this wrong by bringing its fast, reliable and flexible broadband to Chester.
The full-fibre broadband, is available in over 360,000 properties in North West England, as well as select locations in Yorkshire and the Humber, East Midlands, and the North East. It will be rolled out in more areas before the end of the year and into 2026.
I made my way to Chester, took the bridge over the River Dee, into a residential area, lots of terraced houses, and there was the pub, lit up – yes, a pub.
Arriving at the pub I still can’t believe it
Are FIVE really going to be here or is it a prank? There is a queue outside. I wait and watch. I make my way over.
Lots of Giff Gaff people are around. All so nice. I tell them I have been invited and my name is on their list.
A man comes over and puts two wristbands on me, one says VIP. Then he hands me three tokens and tells me to get drinks with them and then he gives me a voucher for a kebab – I am a bit in shock to be honest.
We are outside a pub! Where should I go? I am told to take the room on the right. The room on the left has the locals in and the right has the Giff Gaff guests.
I stop a young man and ask if FIVE are performing? Yes he tells me, in FIVE minutes. WHOAH. Not a big room, just the local pub, filled with fans.
I can feel the excitement radiating from them. They are mainly in their thirties and female. There is a very small stage in the corner.
I am shown right in front of the stage
I better make my way over. I squeeze in behind the tape barrier. A lady looks at me and comes over. She tells me I have a VIP pass and can stand directly in front of the stage. You must be joking, this lot will lynch me if I stand in front of them. She keeps telling me, no I am to step forward. Then four other people go in front and she takes me in front of the tape. I am directly in front of the small stage. The DJ is getting the fans going.
FIVE are on their way, screams. They are going to have to squeeze past me! I can’t move anywhere or I would. Here they come past me, one by one with security holding the fans back as they step on the stage. Yes FIVE are actually standing right in front of me! The fans are shouting at them and here I am, standing at the front in a small room of a pub with FIVE young men in breathing distance. I just have to lift my arm – that is how close I am.
I look to the side of me – goodness, it is Olly Murs’ Tour Manager!! He is obviously working on the FIVE tour as Olly is taking a break.
FIVE chatter. They look nice in co-ordinating outfits. White tops and navy trousers.
Two songs, and what a great evening it was
They sing two songs ‘When the Lights Go Out’ and ‘Keep on Movin’.
What a wonderful two songs. The fans are estatic. They are drinking and within reaching distance of their favourite band.
The locals look bemused that this is happening in their local pub.
What a great evening. I give a fan my tokens and she is bubbling with excitement, as is everyone else.
I watched FIVE at Liverpool Arena last night and tonight I am in a pub next to them in Chester!
Thank you for inviting me – let’s do it again!
All pictures by Deborah Law.
