My third gig in three nights — and what a way to wrap up the run. With just Neil for company this time, we made a full day of it, blending lower-league football and legendary live music in the most unlikely but satisfying of double headers.

From FA Trophy Heroics to Rock Legends

Before the gig, we ventured west across Essex and into Hertfordshire to catch Bishop’s Stortford vs. Felixstowe & Walton United in the first proper round of the FA Trophy. The weather was dreary and damp, but the game delivered in spades. Despite being the underdogs, F&W tore through their higher-league opponents in an emphatic 6-1 thrashing — a giant-killing in full flow.

Post-match, it was a swift return to Ipswich and a quick stop at a local all-you-can-eat Chinese buffet to recharge before heading to The Regent Theatre.

Support: The Picture Books – From Doubt to Delight

Opening the night was The Picture Books, a two-man German-American rock duo with a style rooted in heavy, percussive blues-rock. I’ll admit it: I hated them within the first minute. But credit where it’s due — they won me over. Their blend of thunderous guitar work and campfire-style storytelling slowly built its way into something oddly compelling. By the end, I wouldn’t have minded if they played on a bit longer. That’s the beauty of live gigs — you never know when your mind might be changed.

Enter Chrissie Hynde – Still the Coolest Person in the Room

Then came Chrissie Hynde — frontwoman of The Pretenders, icon, rock ‘n’ roll rebel, and, quite simply, one of the coolest people ever to grace a stage. When she strolled out in her signature tight jeans and long boots, the entire theatre collectively sat up straighter. She radiated presence before she’d sung a note.

Opening with “Sense of Taste”, her voice cut through the Regent like a blade — sharp, soulful, unmistakably Chrissie. It was clear from the start: this wouldn’t be a nostalgia cash-in; this was a masterclass in enduring musical brilliance.

A Setlist of Depth and Emotion

The setlist weaved through the decades, with hits like “Talk of the Town” and “Chain Gang” offering both melody and melancholy in equal measure. “Private Life” was particularly powerful — raw, simmering, and hypnotic. Despite Ipswich’s usual reluctance to stand up and let loose, most of the audience were visibly moved, singing along to every lyric.

There’s a rare intimacy to seeing a rock icon perform in a relatively small venue. No fireworks or backing tracks, just timeless songwriting and that unmistakable voice, still strong and full of life.

Final Thoughts

Seeing The Pretenders live wasn’t just another gig — it was a reminder of why we go to gigs in the first place. Live music still has the power to surprise, to move, and to connect generations. Chrissie Hynde remains a legend not just because of what she’s done — but because of what she still does, night after night.