Some nights you stay home; some nights you dodge the rain, board a galleon, and sing with Tony Wright. I found shelter on the ship - a phrase that felt strangely appropriate for what awaited inside.
Drawn by the promise of an unforgettable evening, I braved the wet, pre-Christmas night to the banks of the Thames. Moored quietly against the river lay the Golden Hinde, Francis Drake’s 16th-century galleon, transformed for one night into perhaps London’s most extraordinary concert venue. Barely 70 people were aboard, and with the crowd packed in close, it already felt more like a living room than a stage.
Tony Wright, best known as the unmistakable voice of Terrorvision, had brought his acoustic show, accompanied by Milly. The setting alone was enough to spark excitement: centuries-old timber, the gentle sway of the ship, and the subtle thrill that comes when a venue this unusual proves utterly perfect for live music.
The evening opened with “Self Portrait”, easing the room into the night. Wright and Milly played with precision and warmth, their connection obvious, their delivery effortless. Tony’s dry, self-mocking humour landed perfectly in the intimate setting, drawing laughter as naturally as his fingers drew chords. Between songs, his quips felt spontaneous, personal, and frequently hilarious.
As the set flowed through “Sleep”, “Nothing to Write Home About”, and “Get It Wrong”, the stripped-back arrangements let the songs breathe. Without the safety net of volume or spectacle, every lyric carried weight, every note resonated clearly against the ancient timbers.
One of the night’s most affecting moments arrived with “Do You Love Me?” Tony had warned that a few tears might appear - he wasn’t wrong. Delivered with quiet intensity, the song hushed the room, each note magnified by the intimate audience. A few tears did appear, unashamed and utterly fitting, the kind of moment that makes live music feel irreplaceable.
The mood lifted with “Janine and Jeanette”, “Opposites Attract”, and “The Blues”, where melody, humour, and warmth intertwined effortlessly. Tony’s banter remained a constant delight, as sharp and precise as his guitar playing.
Naturally, Terrorvision fans were well served. “Friends and Family” was met with smiles and nods, but it was “Tequila” that truly ignited the room. Voices rose, laughter rang out, and suddenly the Golden Hinde was no longer a museum piece but a rocking, singing, joyful vessel carrying everyone along.
The set closed with “Cannonball”, a fitting finale that balanced emotional depth with sheer fun. The applause that followed was long, loud, and deeply sincere - a perfect mirror to a night that felt simultaneously historic and intimate.
What made the evening unforgettable wasn’t just the extraordinary location, but the closeness: to the music, to the musicians, and to each other. With only 70 people aboard, the barrier between audience and band all but disappeared, creating a genuine connection rarely found at larger shows.
On a rain-soaked Thames, aboard a centuries-old galleon, Tony Wright and Milly delivered a performance of skill, soul, and subtle brilliance - proof that musical magic needs neither grand stages nor flashing lights, just great songs, great musicians, and a setting bold enough to be different.
Setlist Self Portrait Sleep Nothing to Write Home About Get It Wrong Heaven Do You Love Me? Shallow Pool (Train Wreck) So Far Away Janine and Jeanette Buried You Deeper Opposites Attract The Blues Friends and Family (Terrorvision song) Gamble, Drink and Smoke Tequila (Terrorvision song) Cannonball
