Mary and Nicole came up from Melbourne yesterday, ready for a gig in country Vic. We first went to the Black Hill pub, so that I could watch the footy, and we could have lunch.
Michelle joined us for the trusty parma, beer and footy on the screen, at this favourite venue of mine to watch the Hawks when they are away and only on Foxtel. After lunch, we got to sit in the side lounge in front of the fire, for the second half. A comfortable win for Hawthorn over the Lions, all good.
Michelle (now this is confusing, but a different Michelle!) met us at my place, and we started the drive across to Castlemaine, for our gig at a coverted venue of mine for some time. Mary's wonder at all her dusk countryscape views was quite entertaining - city kids!
We had dinner reservations for Public Inn, which was a recommendation for us, and it did not disappoint. Wine choices from the barrels on the wall, and quaint and classy decor, the meal was amazing and quite a treat, as a find in this little country town.
We then braved the cold night again, to get across to the Theatre Royal to see Alexander Gow and Dan Sultan. Touring together, these two Melbourne based lads come out together to play a mix of songs as an introduction to the show, before Alex then took the stage for his set.
Playing many of the Oh Mercy collection, plus a few songs he has been working on recently, Alex was chatty and told stories between each song. He fluffed the pronunciation of the town name, and that was perhaps when he started to lose the attention of the Saturday night crowd in this little town theatre, as there was much distracted noise from the back. He told us of the meaning behind Mercy Valley, which makes this track make of so much more sense. His sweet, melancholic voice was enchanting as always, but perhaps a little lost in the big venue on his own.
When Dan Sultan arrived on stage after the interval, he opened by requesting that people shush and listen, or go outstad and catch up. A commanding presence on stage, he then pointed out his grandmother in the crowd, just near us, and talked about his childhood visits to Castlemaine and all the memories of the town. Playing tracks such as Get Out While You Can, Sorrowbound, and Old Fitzroy, plus a couple I had heard from his set at the Flood Relief show, and demonstrated such immense talent. Such a great performer, and Aussie lad.
The boys re-joined on stage for the encore, which a couple of covers, topping of an awesome evening of music.
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