Where’s the Music on Sunday in Swindon? Fran Daisy at The Plough

Sometimes I believe we don’t know how lucky we are in Devizes. Sunday afternoon live music is a thing here, and we’re often spoiled for choice. This Sunday Phil Cooper played the White Bear, and it was the celebrated Jon Amor Trio monthly residency at the Southgate. But the meter was running on Dad’s taxi and I was left with a few hours to kill in Swindon; at least this means I might find something new to me, which I did, and was pleasantly surprised….

More sporadically the trend seems to be in Old Town. The usual circuit pubs like the Vic, Beehive and Castle were mostly having quiz nights (which my general knowledge level doesn’t permit me to engage in,) or nought; the place was relatively void of entertainment; shocking! I scanned social media, assuming there had to be something going on in a town this size on such a sunny afternoon. I guess it’s a case of knowledge of the scene, of which I thought I had some, but being I could only find one happening, it had to be this.

On a pastel-pink cloud poster, Fran Daisy was advertised to be singing at the Plough on Devizes Road. As I know neither, and she looked like one of these singers who karaoke with a PA and phone, which isn’t usually my cuppa, but I shrugged at the notion it was this or nothing, and took a chance.

The surprise element is far stronger than knowing the venue and the act, and was certainly true last Sunday. Starter for ten, The Plough is a humbling pub, simple L-shape plan with a low rising stage area, friendly staff and regulars, and comfy too; I felt quite at home there. Though it’s slightly off Old Town’s main drag, there are three pubs on that corner of Devizes Road and Newport Street, The Wheatsheaf and Royal Oak, and The Steam Railway is a lively sports bar a stone’s throw away. The Plough holds its own against this competition, hosting regular music nights on Saturdays with a variety of local acts on the circuit; I must add them to our event calendar.

But the biggest surprise was Fran herself, while, yeah I was right, she was singing pop covers over a karaoke app from her phone, she delivered them with crystal clear precision, gusto and were vocally powerful and confident. An era-spanning repertoire of sing-a-long classics, I arrived an hour into her set, where I recognised the contemporary tune but after a trio of Abba songs forgot what it was! Because Fran Daisy has the skill to adapt her voice to suit the cover, and she nailed Abba, in fact, she nailed them all. She asked for requests, gave the audience options, and joyfully put in the overtime.

An encore involved a song from Greace, in which she explained she performed it with a theatre group some years ago, to the hail of her entourage who obviously appeared in it too. It was clear through the diversity of her song choices and her lively, amusing audience banter alone, although Fran told me she had only been doing this on the local circuit for a year, that she had musical theatre experience.

It never ceases to amaze me when I discover a DIY singer on the circuit, seemingly content to do the rounds, promote and cart their own kit around, that is as an amazing performer as Fran is, that which should be fronting a popular function band, at the very least. But Fran explained she was a full-time nurse when I put this to her, so as a sideline perhaps this is a big enough bite for the additional workload, and dammit, we don’t need to be convincing nurses to follow the star! All said and done, though, Fran has the proficiency and potential to go much further, should she wish to, and the gorgeous voice to mimic divas and legends.

There are a few I’ve found in a similar position, our Kate Mills for one, who also works in the acoustic duo Sour Apple, and has stolen the voice of Alison Moyet! For the customary pubs without a reputation for hosting regular progressive or risque bands, who want their punters entertained, the karaoke-style singer is an affordable option. But when you’ve got the skills of someone like Kate or Fran, this is a guaranteed chicken dinner. Therefore I’m warming to the option, and judge accordingly on if it does what it says on the tin, and Fran goes above and beyond to create that engrossing entertainment.

A landlord would need to know the tried and tested, or take a leap of faith, but if you want your whole pub up singing along, Fran Daisy is a perfect option.

Follow her Facebook page, or deliberately injure yourself, cross your fingers and hope Fran Daisy is your appointed nurse!!