part 4 in the series of portil presents...at the havana lounge
live music winning over film as the popular choice it seems
so tonight back to solo-singer-songwriter mode with kane strang
seen several times around the traps (pubs) and certain of his appeal
i.e. get him in theatre mode in front of a bunch of discerning listeners
good for him and surely an appealing performer in our series of shows
you would think - but despite email and text drops a very low/slow takeup
3 days out and only 5 tickets sold - cancellation/postponement is considered
but the promise of a handful more sales convinced us to hang in and stick with it
everyone also advising - typical dunedin - no-one wants to commit too far out
yep - a late flurry in the last 2 days sees us sell out the exact number of seats
phew - relief - but playing a bit of havoc with the catering arrangements
no issue with the punters though - plenty of plates delivered and devoured
most people well fed and well imbibed when kane kicks off spot on time
he seated with guitar and amps left and right - small lamp, large backdrop
that a psychedelic brightly coloured movement of large bubble shapes
house lights down, every seat and more occupied - looking very good
an attentive audience as our performer launches into his set of tunes
a few feedback issues in the first number given some quick attention
loud applause at the end of that suggesting the crowd is very happy
a significant easing of the nervousness detected on our man's face
and an announcement of a few new tunes being presented tonight
with it a quite aggressive guitar style - his acoustic is being pushed
string - snap - fortunately towards the end of the tune - but - problems
no spare guitar here and a performer looking like the proverbial rabbit
expletives are flowing - some advice from this observer - relax - it's ok
a casual air is wanted anyway - the audience takes up polite conversation
giving kane the time needed to re-string, re-tune and relax before resuming
a favourable result too - we are all in it together and we now carry him on
a pervasive sense of let it be good - and so it is - kane then goes to work
favourite (old) tune up early in the set with the totally memorable line -
yes she was the best i ever had - i told it to her face and i told it to her dad
a few other tunes also recognised from previous outings but mostly new
mesmerising too - he has a very skilled and quite unique guitar style
very comfortably and confidently adding in random riffs and sounds
making each song different to every other - there's a major talent in there
tonight a little subdued vocally at least with the guitar sound dominating
the memory of his vocals loud and clear making it easier for me at least
and thinking - this is where a live sound engineer makes the difference
a minor quibble in what is a totally impressive hour long set tonight
an encore called for and provided - that also receiving long applause
but he's done enough and un-plugs to indicate show-time is over
a quick exchange of words with an excited kane - he is buzzing
conversations over lemon-curd madaleines and positive feedback
the guitar/vocal mix the only issue else there is general agreement
we have witnessed a very special performance here on this night
and me thinking my earlier promotion should prove to be accurate
one day we will talk of the night we saw kane strang with 30 others
but for tonight they seem to be content to linger, talk, eat and drink
eventually the crowd disperses - we load up the car and head off
in daylight - love it - home - unload - collapse - another big tick
not sure where to from here but this is getting to be addictive
hopefully that is the case with the punters also...we shall see
