we did it - pulled together all the elements to make it work
first and foremost - robert scott - how lucky to get him on board
and so easily - hey robert - want to do an intimate show for us - sure
the hardest part was agreeing on a date - and that took an email to/from
made possible of course by having a suitable venue locked in as well
matt easton from the poolhouse as genial in his offer of the space
the havana lounge set up as a theatre but perfect for a small gig
33 seats and a few more loaded in to accommodate our 38 punters
the ticket price of $20 came with a promise of some delicious food
lucy to the fore in that department - days spent planning and preparing
6 o'clock opening and some exposure to some under-preparedness
the laptop loaded up with 10 selected pre-show videos glitchy
visual only - sound refusing to make any so efforts abandoned
mental note - more thorough testing of equipment needed in future
but no biggie - people happily chatting over a pre-show beer or 2
the food then rolling out despite a similar glitch with a hot-plate
meaning plan b kicks in - a hasty retreat to the venue's kitchen
fraser and nathaniel doing the food-plate running from kitchen to lounge
beetroot topped blini, mushroom arancini balls, bamboo shoot spring rolls
skate fishcakes, chicken curry lettuce cups and thai beef lettuce cups
offered and devoured over the first hour before start of show at 7:15
the me/mc welcoming people to our first show and then on with it
robert had quietly set up late afternoon - a thanks also to ian henderson
kindly loaned us a compact vocal p.a. to augment robert's own gear
he seated and with acoustic guitar ran though the first set of tunes
a backdrop of some of his own photos running on a slideshow
confirming the thoughts that live music in this venue would work
the music - gentle - robert strumming his way through his tunes
he looking very relaxed and very honest with us the audience
some tunes from way back or very recent and under-played
but in his hands and voice we know we are very privileged
tunes from 3 solo albums and the odd clean/bats song also
the slideshow of rural scenes/towns adding a dimension
not a whisper from an entranced (hopefully) audience
the loud and louder applause indicating all is well out there
robert letting the music do the talking but the odd jibe added
all quite mesmerising really and a timely break after 40 minutes
un-plug the failing slideshow and mingling with the audience
spoon loaded raw salmon and wasabi mayonnaise devoured
refreshments topped up and resumption of the fine music
acoustic guitar in hand (still) and now some newer tunes
tunes from the latest album - the green house - then featured
very familiar with these songs and played in solo mode superbly
thinking - something so engaging about a man, his tunes and his guitar
and also thinking - we have snagged it - this is a very special night
the electric guitars then brought into play and we go up a level
robert very deftly demonstrating his obvious guitar skills
possibly just me but the feeling of one-on-one engagement
totally absorbed by what i am witnessing a few metres away
loud applause and occasional shout out appropriate interruptions
the end of the second set and an offer of covers made and accepted
johnny cash and joy division then wrapping up robert's show
there's a palpable buzz in the air and plenty of approval
myrtle cheese cake and sticky date cake seen on the bar
also devoured in record time to complete the food show
most people moving out and on - a few more lingering
a 9pm finish - so civilised - thanks to all and sundry
load up the car - head home - high-fives and collapse
that seemed really good - the feedback will be interesting
but as a concept - we are up and running - portabil is born...
