There’s something about milestone birthdays that brings out the best in a crowd – and Saturday 10th May 2025 was no exception. TOAST had the honour of playing a 30th birthday party at Calverton Working Men’s Club, and it was one of those nights where everything lined up perfectly: a brilliant venue, an amazing group of friends and family, and a set list stacked with 90s and 00s bangers.
This gig was also special for another reason – it was our first outing with Deacon on guitar. From the first rehearsal, we knew he’d be a great fit, and he more than proved it on stage at Calverton. His energy, riffs, and solos gave the night an extra spark, and the crowd definitely felt it.
Set One – The Warm-Up (That Didn’t Stay a Warm-Up for Long)
We didn’t ease in gently. The unmistakable blast of Blur’s “Song 2” set the tone instantly – loud, fast, and high-energy. As soon as the crowd yelled back that first “woo-hoo,” we knew it was going to be a great night.
From there, we rolled into “Teenage Dirtbag”, which turned into a mass singalong. The birthday boy and his mates were front and centre, belting out every word like it was written for them.
The Britpop classics “She’s Electric” and “Alright” kept the feel-good vibe going, before “Dreaming of You” slowed things down just enough for couples to grab each other and sway along. The laughter and chanting of “Park Life” brought the room right back up again, and then came one of Sheffield’s finest – “Heavyweight Champion of t’World.” That one always gets a big reaction, and Calverton didn’t disappoint.
Midway through the set, we threw in “Shut Up and Dance” – and the floor did exactly that. Suddenly everyone was up, and the energy didn’t dip for the rest of the night. “Somebody Told Me”, “Roll With It”, and “Mardy Bum” all hit perfectly, and by the time we closed the set with “Last Nite” and “Dakota,” the party was already in full swing.
Set Two – All-Out Party Mode
After a quick break to catch our breath (and for the birthday boy to grab another drink), we came back firing on all cylinders with “Take Me Out.” The riff alone had people jumping.
“Valerie” gave everyone a chance to sing their hearts out, and “Proud Mary” got the room clapping, spinning, and shouting along to the big chorus. Deacon nailed the guitar part on “I Believe in a Thing Called Love” – one of those songs that always gets people grinning from ear to ear.
When we dropped into “Mr Brightside,” the roof practically lifted. Every single person in the room sang every word, louder than the PA. From there, it was pure momentum – “All the Small Things” and “I Bet That You Look Good on the Dancefloor” had the crowd bouncing, while “Common People” brought a proud Sheffield singalong even in Calverton.
By the time we launched into “Chelsea Dagger” and “Sex on Fire,” the place was bouncing. Drinks in the air, arms around shoulders, and voices hoarse from singing – exactly how a 30th birthday should be. We closed the second set with “Don’t Look Back in Anger”, a proper goosebumps moment with everyone arm in arm, singing together.
The Encore – Ending on a High
Of course, the birthday boy wasn’t going to let us finish without an encore. We brought the tempo down for “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” which had the whole room swaying and singing in unison, before blasting into “Seven Nation Army.” As always, that riff had the crowd chanting long after the last note faded out.
Final Thoughts
Paul’s 50th the week before might have been special, but this 30th birthday at Calverton Working Men’s Club showed just how much fun a milestone party can be. The atmosphere was incredible, the crowd gave us everything, and with Deacon on guitar, it felt like the start of an exciting new chapter for TOAST.
Huge thanks to everyone who came down and made it such a memorable night – and of course, to the birthday boy for choosing us to provide the soundtrack to his big 3-0.
If you’re planning a milestone birthday and want it to be one that no one forgets, live music from TOAST is the perfect way to get the party started.
