“I’ve met him a few times, really nice guy”
Huge queues build outside Wax and Beans on Market Street, Bury
“How is everyone?”
‘WARM.’ answered the cry, after over a hundred people funnelled into the Wax and Beans record store in Bury yesterday (May 28). Moments earlier, a queue had stretched around the block on Market Street.
Excited fans, including some glam rock vampires, had arrived loaded with merchandise and posters to the coffee shop hopeful of a glimpse of their idol – Hollywood star Kiefer Sutherland.
The 59-year-old, famed for roles in classic films such as The Lost Boys, Stand by Me and the series ’24’, was in town as part of a UK record store tour. It precedes the launch of his new album Grey.
This week, the impending release saw Wax and Beans fully sold-out and at capacity.
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Ben, co-owner of the cafe, described it as a ‘wild morning’ for the shop, as staff finished wheeling in PAs and setting up the stage.
Ben, co-owner of Wax and Beans(Image: MEN)
“Capacity at the shop is around 120, and it sold out pretty quickly weeks ago when we put it online. We’ve had loads of incredible events, Lottery Winners, The Zutons, The K’s, some brilliant artists,” Ben explained, keeping his eye out for the performer ahead of his arrival.
“Kiefer’s a Hollywood star as well as an accomplished musician, so people are here to see his music, people are here to see him, cause they will have inevitably watched one of the amazing films or series that he’s been in throughout his career.”
Mylene Cunningham queuing with her family(Image: MEN)
With fans of all ages making up the morning queue, The Manchester Evening News managed to speak to some before the scheduled midday door opening.
Mylene Cunningham, who arrived with her son and daughter, explained that they’re all fans of Sutherland ‘for different reasons.’
Nigel, 49, from Bury, was one of many to bring merch to sign(Image: MEN)
“I like The Lost Boys, but his music as well, I think he’s quite talented, and we all like his new single, don’t we?” she said. Her 15 year old son, Noah, on the contrary wore a calculated Laura Palmer t-shirt for the event:
“I like David Lynch a lot, so I’m a very big fan of Twin Peaks, and obviously he’s in Fire Walk With Me, so that’s why I’ve come to see him today,” Noah followed up, referring to Sutherland’s role as FBI Agent Sam Stanley. “I also like his new single Goodbye California, and I’m pretty excited for his new album.”
As she sheltered from the sun across the road, Dana Rogers, 44, told us that her husband was DJing in the venue for the event.
Dana Rogers, 44, holistic therapies(Image: MEN)
“We’ve just been playing music inspired by Kiefer’s taste for the past month. Little bit of Elton John, Daniel’s one of his good ones, he likes a bit of a Olivia Newton-John, little bit of Fairport Convention, Fleetwood Mac, so there’s some good little tunes getting spun,” Dana explained.
“I’m essentially my husband’s taxi driver, so I’ve dropped him off, I’ll stand in the shade, then join the back of the queue.”
On top of a widely loved film star visiting, Dana described Wax and Beans as ‘Cheers meets Central Perk,’ highlighting her enjoyment of the venue: “The staff are all amazing, you can go in on your own and be sat with somebody chatting within 2 minutes, there’s always somebody in there just to give you a little smile and make you feel comfortable.
“I’ve been to every tour he’s done in the UK”
“And [Sutherland] is just an amazing cool guy, isn’t he? When you think of all his good old classics you’ve been brought up on, and now we’re bringing our kids up on them, you never would have thought that he’d come to Bury!”
Another avid fan in attendance was Jason Thanos, 51, who runs a movie gallery. Jason brought a Lost Boys poster to sign, calling it ‘the best vampire movie ever made,’ praising Sutherland’s personality based on previous encounters, including the prior night in Leeds.
“I’ve been to every tour he’s done in the UK, he’s the kind of guy that actually cares about his fans, after the event he’s very lively and more than happy to sign stuff for people,” Jason commented. “He’s a down-to-earth man and therefore deserves for people to like him.
Kiefer Sutherland performing at Wax and Beans(Image: MEN)
“I’ve met him a few times, really nice guy. If you’re into country music you’ll enjoy the show.”
Helen Nugent, 52, who runs the Northern Soul website, described herself as a ‘mega-fan’ of Sutherland: “I had the Lost Boys cassette tape and I wore it out listening to the soundtrack, I then watched Stand by Me, absolute classic, then Flatliners, Young Guns, he was a proper heartthrob!
“Someone in Wax and Beans has got some really good contacts, because they get some mega names,” Helen continued. “It’s just an amazing little indie shop that’s really helping to put bury on the map.”
Helen Nugent, 52, runs the website Northern Soul, and freelances(Image: MEN)
The claims about Sutherland being attentive towards his fans were backed up after performing his country setlist, when he noticed Jack, 18, waiting outside, and let him know to hang around for a signing opportunity after the break.
“I just woke up this morning, left around 9:45ish cause I live like an hour away from the city,” Jack said, rocking the gothic vampire getup he wore to meet his hero.
Jack, 18, hotel worker(Image: MEN)
“I was studying for an acting role myself about a vampire, and my mum said I should watch The Lost Boys if I want to learn how to be a vampire properly, and I do not regret watching it,” he continued.
“Definitely an inspiration.”
