7th March 2025
On a whim, R and I booked tickets to The Stables in Milton Keynes. We were going to see and listen to a band with the rather distinctive name of ‘Police Dog Hogan’. The initial draw was that we both read the Saturday Guardian and were familiar with the column by the American writer, Tim Dowling (second from the left). Tim Dowling, in addition to his writing, is a musician who plays the banjo and guitar. He tends to downplay his musical contributions in his articles, to the point where one might wonder if he’d even bother to show up. This, however, is far from the truth; he plays a significant role in the band’s performances.
We made a day of our outing to Milton Keynes, first stopping at IKEA for their complimentary coffee, then navigating the labyrinthine maze-like layout of the shop, before finally, stocking up on my beloved pickled herrings.
At The Stables, we had booked a pre-show supper, the first such offering in many years. We were, in essence, the guinea pigs for this revived dining experience, and as a gesture of appreciation, we were each offered a glass of prosecco. We accepted! Rudenot to have, we thought. The supper consisted of pizza, preceded by a starter and followed by a dessert, all accompanied by a drink. I opted for a pint of ‘Side Pocket for a Toad’, brewed by the Tring Brewery Company, while Rosemary chose a glass of white wine. The food was simple, hearty, and the pizzas were generously sized. The starters, in particular, were excellent, we never got to the desserts.
The show, while not completely sold out, was thoroughly enjoyable. During the interval, I managed to purchase a vinyl record and received a complimentary tea towel for subscribing to their email list. As for Tim Dowling, he performed admirably, taking a much more prominent role in the performance than his Guardian column might suggest. Police Dog Hogan are known for their blend of folk, country, and rock, often referred to as “urban bluegrass,” and their live performance was energetic and engaging.
It was a good evening out.
