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Captain haddock: Damon Gough is on a fanciful quest to find the UK's best chippie
Damon Gough is not the only pop star to enjoy a fish supper at Toff's, the Muswell Hill chippy his fans have named the best in London.
Signed photos of Paul Weller, Tony Hadley and Iron Maiden line the walls, alongside Les Dennis, Norman Wisdom and forgotten TV actors whose signatures have faded away.
But Gough, the slightly shabby songwriter known as Badly Drawn Boy, is the first to play a gig there.
He also fried his own haddock, which got a thumbs-up from the management, although the regulars who were denied their seats in the restaurant before and during the show were probably less impressed by his presence.
Television crews filming endless takes of Gough behind the counter also ensured that everything took 10 times longer than it should have done, but it was all good publicity for his fanciful quest for the UK's best fish and chip shop.
After a wave of nostalgia for his childhood teatime treats, Gough recently got fans to vote on his website for their favourite chippies. Then he arranged to perform at the top three, beginning with runner-up Toff's.
Thirty competition winners squeezed along the counter and into the restaurant along with Gough's youngest fan - his soundman's nine-week-old daughter, attending her first gig.
She snoozed through a performance that was hardly note-perfect, but Gough - who was joined by two bandmates - played in an off-the-cuff style that suited his melodic, conversational songs.
He was also just inches away from the audience, and that proximity lent his voice a stirring intimacy.
There was a request for Silent Sigh, which Gough admitted was tricky to play on acoustic guitar.
Then he did it anyway and followed that with the lovelorn Degrees Of Separation - although the more relevant Have You Fed The Fish? did not appear.
Customers were served takeaways and lingered during the performance, and Gough reminded everyone about his campaign for unhealthy fried food.
"Is everybody promising to spend a bit of money on fish and chips after they leave?" he asked, which is probably something Bono will never say on stage.
In truth, it was also a rather cute campaign for Badly Drawn Boy, whose career highs - a Mercury Music Prize and the About A Boy soundtrack - were some years ago.
This endearing performance, including a wonderful, woozy version of early single Once Around the Block, was a reminder of his prodigious talent, though. And the chips went down very nicely.
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
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I was lucky enough to win tickets for this gig and it was great. Damon was on top form as usual and it was great to hear some new tracks from him as well as a great version of 'Silent Sigh'. The oddness of the venue just added to the atmosphere of what was ultimately a great gig! Looking forward to seeing him again!
- Laura, East London
