An entertaining evening courtesy of the Music Publishers’ Association Summer Party, which this year took place in the Battlebridge Room & Terrace at Kings Place in York Way, close to the trade body’s office in Pancras Square. It was a special pleasure to see so many familiar faces amongst the industry throng, including Anna Neale, new elected to BASCA’s Songwriters’ Committee, Laura Ames-Carder, EA to the BPI’s CEO, plus my MU colleague London Branch Officer Sam Jordan.
My thanks go to MPA Events Manager Issy Dacre for the invitation and for allowing photographer Jonathan Stewart and producer James Hawkins to be on the guest list, although the pair were unable to make it at short notice due to work commitments.
The event coincided with England’s World Cup match against Colombia, which kicked off at 7pm and the MPA had kindly arranged for a live broadcast of the game on a huge screen in the bar area. This proved popular with many of the guests, including the group I had joined, which consisted of Baron David Watts (Labour MP for St Helens North from 1997 to 2015 and Chair of the Party from 2012 to 2015), Michael Dugher (UK Music chief executive and former British politician who was elected as the MP for Barnsley East in 2010); plus long-term ally Kevin Brennan, Cardiff West MP and keen guitarist.
We watched the main part of the game and celebrated England taking the lead through a Harry Kane penalty although we spent much of the time cursing the underhand, disgraceful tactics of the Colombians. Their equaliser in injury time at the end 90 minutes was particularly galling. So much so, that I said my goodbyes and thanks to Michael and friends, before walking down York Way to St Pancras whilst following the match on the BBC Sport app.
With no goals in extra time, I headed for London Bridge, fearing the worst during the inevitable penalty shoot-out. However, I should have had more faith! Despite a miss by Henderson, a Colombian subsequently hit the bar and Jordan Pickford then made a superb save, before Eric Dier tucked home the winning fifth penalty! Oh joy. All the past penalty shoot-out losses were consigned to history and England could rejoice.
