Totnes pianist is reviving the dying art of the pub singalong

Totnes, ready your lungs. On Saturday July 12, the Bay Horse will be transformed into the town’s most tuneful watering hole as local pianist and raconteur Andy Hill hosts Now That’s What I Call A Pub Singalong – a riotous, lyric-on-the-screen, all-in afternoon of nostalgic bangers and spontaneous harmony.

Expect 80s cheese, 90s classics, golden oldies, guilty pleasures and crowd-pleasing chaos – all hammered out live on the pub piano by Hill, a seasoned showman with a deep love of the great British knees-up. Requests are taken. Surprises are guaranteed. And if you’ve never belted out Angels with a pint in hand and a pub full of strangers doing harmonies, you frankly haven’t lived.

“It’s not a gig, it’s not karaoke, and it’s certainly not cool – but it is an excuse to day-drink and sing the hits,” says Hill. “People come for a laugh and end up in tears during Hey Jude. It’s like collective therapy, but cheaper.”

Hill will be joined on vocals by Sarah Harris, with his son Toby running the all-important lyrics screen.

Entry is free and the event forms part of the Totnes Fringe Festival.

Doors creak open at 2pm, and the music kicks off as soon as someone yells Wonderwall. Just bring your mates, your best pub-singing spirit, and a voice that’s not too precious to go hoarse.

Later that day, Andy and Sarah head to Skyrise Festival, Longmarsh, for a live set at 5:45pm.