Farewell Warren!

Saturday night at The Pit in Newstead was always going to be a special one for us.

It's a lovely little venue and one that's become very dear to Darwin's Rejects over the years - the sort of place where the crowd is close, the atmosphere is warm, and the music feels like it belongs there.

The evening began smoothly. Set up and soundcheck were refreshingly painless (a rare and beautiful thing in the gigging world!), the stage - despite being quite bijou as the estate agents would say - did fit all six of us on it, and we were treated to a fantastic support set from Paul Hallam from Shanks' Pony.

Armed with nothing more than an acoustic guitar and a voice, Paul played a set that mixed well-loved favourites with some brand new songs. It suited the intimate room perfectly and set the tone for the night.

By the time we took to the stage, the room was packed with friends, fans and familiar faces - exactly the kind of crowd you'd want for an occasion like this.

Because of course, this wasn't just any gig.

This was Warren's final show with Darwin's Rejects after around ten years with the band.

We began the set with Warren giving a short(ish) speech - a moment that was both heartfelt and slightly surreal - before launching into the first half of the set with him in his usual place on stage.

Photo credit: Jus Carroll

About half way through the set, however, things took a slightly theatrical turn.

In a carefully orchestrated moment, a couple of volunteers from the crowd forcibly removed Warren from the stage, allowing us to play the second half of the set without him - partly as a joke, partly as a demonstration that the band can still function (just about!) without him.

Photo credit: Jus Carroll - look mum, no Warren!

It was strange, amusing, and oddly emotional all at once - especially looking up to see him watching us from the crowd!

Of course, we couldn't let the evening end without bringing him back.

Warren returned to the stage for a rousing three song encore, which quickly descended into the kind of chaotic fun that only a room full of friends can generate.

As we wound down to final song Bumblebee, Russ had climbed onto a table at the far side of the room - which naturally meant we delayed the start of the song slightly to ensure maximum awkwardness for him whilst everyone waited. The rest of the band refer to this as 'kazoo tax' - because unfortunately one of those plastic abominations did make it into the set at times!

Jus always manages to capture the moments so well!

After the music, laughter and a fair few hugs, the night ended in a way that felt entirely appropriate.

Warren produced a round of whiskey for the band, and we raised a glass together - fittingly so, given that the final lines of that final set for Warren in Darwins was:

"Just some friends, singing songs, and drinking whiskey..."

It felt like the perfect closing moment.

Warren has been part of Darwin's Rejects since the very beginning, and over the past decade we've shared countless rehearsals, gigs, road trips, line-up reshuffles and memories together. Saturday night was emotional for all of us, but above all it was a celebration of everything we've built together.

And while Warren may be stepping away from Darwin's Rejects he'll always be a huge part of the band's story - and we're all excited to see how Musical Fruit develops!

Thanks for the songs, the laughs and the last ten years, Warren!