S Poddar
Vicky McClure, the actress of Line of Duty and This Is England fame, has found a new love besides acting: Day Fever, the daytime disco extravaganza she and her husband, filmmaker Jonny Owen, have created. The couple is now gearing up to take their ecstasy vibe to Norwich where, the star promises, McClure will be dancing like nobody’s watching.
The catchy duo will be visiting the campus of University of East Anglia on Saturday when they occupy the Nick Rayns LCR venue with a nostalgic mix of 80s anthems, indie hits, and floor fillers. It all starts from 3:00 to 8:00 PM, so that’s more than enough time to enjoy the show and still have a relaxing evening at home.
Day Fever is aimed at crowds above the age of thirty since it’s meant to provide a space that is relaxing and has much fun without the pressures associated with a typical club night that usually goes late. According to McClure, “No matter what city we’re in, people are always eager to get out of the house but also love getting back home in good time, so the weekend is still intact. That sets everyone up for an excellent experience.”
The magic of music is what McClure says allows people to lift themselves out of daily struggles and immerse in something that’s joyful. “Once people arrive and the music starts, they’re transported. It’s powerful,” she added.
As versatile as McClure may be on screen, that’s where she’s known best. Equally happy using her art to reach human contact in everyday life, she also seems to find the same amount of fulfillment behind the scenes and on stage with a tape recorder in hand. Whether through her work on the dementia choir documentary or events like Day Fever, she tends to attract herself to genuine, raw experience. “I’m happiest in the real world, surrounded by real people. They may be going through a tough time, but they can still find happiness,” McClure said. “That’s what happens with the dementia choir, and that’s exactly what happens at Day Fever.”
Jonny Owen, the mastermind behind Day Fever, realized that there is a very obvious market for those that need a great time out but do not want to be out late. “Why not have an afternoon of fun with a brilliant atmosphere, great music and still be home in time for Strictly Come Dancing or Match of the Day?” Owen said. After brainstorming with friends, they held their first Day Fever in Sheffield last December, and it instantly earned them a huge following. Since then, it has toured major cities across UK and Ireland, and Norwich was its first time in the East of England.
Owen takes up residence at the DJ booth, spinning one hit after another, while McClure gets down on the dance floor in great abandon as at one point she seems to refer to herself as “the Bez of Day Fever,” a play on the name of the dancer from the Happy Mondays. “No one ever leaves disappointed-we cater to everyone,” Owen said. McClure added, “Music is medicine.” She believed that just as her experience of conducting the dementia choir, Day Fever serves as an opportunity to leave aside all the worries and lose oneself in the moment. Owen echoed this sentiment, explaining that the music and atmosphere of Day Fever allow people to fully let go, have fun, and for a few hours, forget their troubles. “It’s like pressing reset, and I think that’s so important.”
The couple has seen the great and memorable moments created by Day Fever for its attendees. McClure recalled some particularly touching experiences: “We’ve had wedding proposals, and we’ve had people dealing with very tough situations. One woman in Dublin, who was facing a brain tumor, came to Day Fever to forget about her diagnosis for a little while. She ended up on stage, and it felt like the entire room gave her a massive hug.”
It’s that sense of collective joy and support that defines Day Fever; it’s what McClure and Owen feed off. “There’s this buzz in it, McClure says with a smile.
Thanks to the mighty response in Norwich, the couple has already announced that they will be returning in December for a festive edition of Day Fever, aptly titled Sleigh Fever. Fans can look forward to another unforgettable event where the music, the mood, and the magic continue.
