Jimmy Nail – Stories and Songs – 16 October 2026
The Apex, Bury St Edmunds
My brother Rory and I were overdue another gig together. The Chas Hodges memorial gig on 17 December 2018 initially sprang to mind as our last one, until I remembered we’d seen Beach Boys Smile, a tribute act, at Felixstowe Spa on 2 August 2019.
Still over seven years ago. We’ve hardly been overdoing it. Joined by our sister Tamara, who is becoming a regular gig partner of mine, we headed to Bury St Edmunds for an evening with Jimmy Nail.
First, though, we had paid to meet him. Quite how welcoming that experience would be apparently depended on somebody else.
Meet, Greet and Move Along
I’d paid for three meet-and-greet tickets, and it was nice to meet Jimmy and get my 1984 Auf Wiedersehen, Pet soundtrack LP signed.
That part was lovely.
Jimmy Nail with me, Rory and Tamara at the pre-show meet-and-greet.
The tour manager’s manner rather took the shine off the rest.
We went in together, which seemed perfectly reasonable given that we were together. However, we were allowed just one group photograph and no individual pictures. Three paid meet-and-greets. One photograph between us. An extra £150 for just the one picture.
It was also the way we were spoken to. The people before us had gone in a little wobbly after what appeared to be rather too much Wetherspoon’s wine. Perhaps that hadn’t helped her mood, but it hardly gave her the right to take it out on everyone else. I found her manner abrupt and unwelcoming, which left me wondering whether the extra money had been particularly well spent. Nobody needs the red carpet rolled out, but a bit of friendliness would have helped.
Anyway, signed LP acquired, we headed to Slim Chickens for tea before returning for the show.
A Much Better Second Impression
After the meet-and-greet, we were feeling a little apprehensive. Thankfully, Jimmy Nail soon sorted that out.
He was superb.
Stories and Songs is an accurate title. There are stories. There are songs. Fortunately, he’s exceptionally good at both.
Accompanied by Tony Davis on keyboards, the simple arrangements gave his voice plenty of room. And what a voice it remains: distinctive, soulful and capable of making you stop and properly listen.
There’s a fair amount of television history attached to Jimmy Nail, but hearing him sing is a reminder that the musical career deserves just as much attention.
More Than Oz
For plenty of us, Jimmy Nail will always be tied to Auf Wiedersehen, Pet. I had, after all, just carried its soundtrack into a meet-and-greet. I can hardly pretend otherwise.
But his career has taken some extraordinary turns, and hearing him talk through them was a large part of the pleasure.
I’m deliberately keeping the stories to myself. If you’re going, you deserve to hear them from him rather than have me spoil the punchlines. I’ve included the setlist below, though, if you want to know what he sang.
He tells a story beautifully. Funny, self-deprecating and comfortable taking his time, he made the talking as enjoyable as the singing. You wanted to hear what happened next, even when that meant waiting a little longer for another song.
Then he’d sing, and you’d remember there was another very good reason you’d bought a ticket.
The balance worked brilliantly. The stories gave the music context, the songs brought back memories, and the whole evening rattled along without ever feeling rushed.
Final Thoughts
Time flew by. That probably says more than a lengthy examination of every note could. We’d arrived back at The Apex with the meet-and-greet still bothering us and soon became completely absorbed in the show.
A lovely evening with Rory and Tamara, a signed record to take home, and a performance full of humour, great storytelling and superb singing.
Would I pay for a meet-and-greet again? On this experience, probably not. Would I see Jimmy Nail again?
Absolutely.
Jimmy Nail setlist
The Apex, 16 October 2026
- Breakin’ Away (Joe Fagin cover)
- Love Don’t Live Here Anymore (Rose Royce cover)
- Crocodile Shoes
- Cowboy Dreams
- Something (The Beatles cover)
- On This Night of a Thousand Stars
- Shipyard
- Blue Roses
- The Sound of Silence (Simon & Garfunkel cover)
- I Can’t Be Myself (Merle Haggard cover)
- Water of Tyne
- Ain’t No Doubt
- Big River
Photos
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