Guerrilla therapy

This week I was invited to a House Concert. I had no idea what to expect, but thought that I would go along, as I am always up for a new experience. What I got was an evening I won't soon forget.

We arrived at the venue, which was someones flat in a converted church, to a house full of strangers. We all new the organizers in some way but were from different parts of their lives. The upstairs of the flat was a loft room, with the old wood work from the church still in tact, and it had been set up like a little concert venue. There were 30 of us there and after a bit of small talk, the concert began.

Our entertainment for the evening was Francis Dunnery and Dorie Jackson. Now, I didn't know who they were, but I do now. The format was simple, a man and his guitar, telling stories and playing songs, with a lady to harmonize and support. But what fantastic musicians and story tellers they were. It was a bit like a vocal mask, with folk songs interspersed, and it took me back to my college days.

The story he told was of his life, and all the 'phases' or 'passages' he's gone through. From being a kid to being a rock star and then falling from grace. He talked about being 'Francis Dunnery the guitar player from It Bites' and then about how he wasn't that anymore, and didn't know where to turn. He keenly linked beautiful folk music with interesting stories to make for a great night.

So why guerrilla therapy? well, the 30 of us sat in that loft and shared a beautiful experience. Because it was such an intimate concert, Francis would talk directly to people, ask them questions about their lives and then offer words of wisdom on the subjects. He explained how we would all go through certain phases, and how we would come out wiser on the other side. We talked about lost parents, and mid life crisis and about running away. Each member of the audience found something to connect to, some moment in the concert that spoke directly to them.

Afterwards, we all talked about how we were pretty sure our hosts had hand-pick the people they felt would need this type of session the most. Maybe the people who wouldn't admit that there was something bothering them, or that they were going through some sort of crisis.

It was quite an incredible evening.