Thirty years ago today I went to see That Petrol Emotion at the Brixton Fridge. On the way there I spotted someone I recognised from my University course on the platform at Stockwell station, so went over and introduced myself. We talked about Uni and music. Mostly music.

We had a fair amount in common, both agreeing that the Stone Roses’ debut was a solid 6 out of 10, and not a patch on the Ride album that had just come out. We went our separate ways on arriving in Brixton as he was off to meet his girlfriend. The Petrols gig was a corker.

We got to know each better over the next few months, going to gigs together, drinking cheap beer in the Student Union bar and becoming firm friends. The following summer we were both dumped by our long term girlfriends and were able to offer each other moral support on the phone.

We shared accommodation throughout the 90s, and largely had a whale of a time. Taking acid together at Escape from Samsara (also in the Brixton Fridge) was one of many highlights. But more importantly, we were there for each other during the darker times as well.

I moved out in 2001 to go and live with my girlfriend, and when I got married in 2004 he was my Best Man. Having kids curtailed my social life a bit, but if we didn’t see each other for months we would still fall back into our natural rhythm within minutes of meeting up again.

Thirty years on, going through divorce on top of lockdown has taken its toll on me in the last few months, but during that time he’s been an absolute rock, providing me with a place to stay and listening to my tales of woe. Without that I think I would have fallen apart by now.

I mention this because like most blokes I don’t acknowledge the value of my friendships enough. But we should. So I’ll have a drink with him tonight to express my gratitude. I should add that others have been brilliant too, including people on here who I’ve never even met.

So, in conclusion; you should always keep in touch with your friends. And let them know what they mean to you. Here’s one of the greatest songs about friendship: