Musical encounters (6) – Brexit Cheer-up

Something’s different this morning. When we exit Kings-Cross Tube Station, we usually enter one of the side-entrances to St. Pancras International Train Station, a shortcut to our 3 beloved pianos.

No such thing today. Instead, there’s a sheer endless line of people towards main/today’s only entrance and the line’s not moving, at all… It’s Saturday morning March 30th 2019, 9 hours passed the long advertised midnight moment of Brexit.

We’re in London, England, United Kingdom and we’re privileged to play the launching week of Canaray Wharf pianos on World Piano Day 2019. We’ve played all 5 pianos at the Wharf on Friday, took a short nap and went to London’s city center to play a few of the countless Public Pianos in London (GB). Canaray Wharf pianos World Piano Day 2019 countless Public Pianos in London (GB) If you ever played at St.

Pancras, you know it’s an intriguing venue, mentioned in various articles and documentaries in Great-Britain and abroad. At one point, there were 5 playable pianos, including the upright at the restaurant above train level and the beautiful baby-grand at the adjacent hotel. The 3 pianos remaining between Arrivals & Departures will do just fine this morning, if we can reach them, that is…

Literally 1000’s of passengers queuing up inside too, the line continuous around endless corners, but since we have no intention taking a train this morning, we can skip the line to make our way towards our beloved pianos. Next hurdle: Even if there wasn’t a single player in the building – ZERO chance at any given moment – it still might be hard to get a piano stool available. They’re often used for waiting purposes and some passengers simply wouldn’t give up their seat, go figure…

It’s our lucky day though! 1st piano is available, plays and sounds well, we’re off! St.

Pancras Arrivals pianoWe’re 8 feet away from the line of acquiescing passengers and get some friendly nods to our Opening Lines. Only during our 3rd song, we learn what’s going this morning when a brief announcement is made over the sound system: “the gentleman has been removed from the premises, he’s been escorted out by the police”, followed by a huge roar from the waiting crowd. Energy changes instantly, resigned silence makes way for smiling faces, conversation and a willing audience.

St. Pancras Arrivals piano Opening Lines Read all about one single Brexit protestor disrupting London’s international railway services, being jailed for his actions causing over £1m of damage. Brexit protestor disrupting London’s international railway services jailed We continue playing for 40 minutes or so until the line finally starts moving.

We shake hands, exchange cards and wish quite a few people safe travels to Europe´s mainland. Once again, we´re humbly grateful to make some people´s mornings just a tiny little bit less miserable. We’re NOT politicians, we just hope any player regardless his/her origin will remain welcome at this unique venue in London (GB), St.

Pancras International train station! Stay safe, enjoy playing!

From the original worldpianos.org blog, restored by Sing for Hope.