John Otway - Bedford Esquires 26th June 2026
My second visit to Bedford Esquires and John Otway is performing in an even smaller more intimate room than my previous visit for Sham 69 - Maybe they have a basement room as well!
I don't know why, but John Otway and Wild Willy Barrett performing 'Really Free' on Top of the Pops and The Old Grey Whistle Test performance remains one of my favourite memories of that era. It was funny, chaotic and something completely different.
Was John Otway a punk - not really, but punk allowed John Otway to be John Otway
To most people he is probably remembered as a one hit wonder with 'Really Free' although I'd also give an honourable mention to the B side 'Beware of the Flowers ('Cos I'm Sure They're Going to Get You Yeh)'.
Since then he's gone on to become a movie star in 2013s Rock and Roll's Greatest Failure: Otway the Movie, and here he is, still touring and still entertaining audiences in 2026.
I first saw John Otway at St Albans City Hall, 1983 I think it was. As usual, my memory of the night is a bit hazy, but it was a real pleasure to see him again over forty years later. The energy is still there, the cheeky grin is still there, and so is that wonderfully unpredictable stage show.
John Otway really is a true English eccentric... and long may he stay that way.
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