bone&silver

Live music rocks

I live in a small country town in regional Australia, with a huge number of artists and creative folk in its make up. Because we’re near Byron Bay, the most Easterly point of the mainland, a mecca for tourists and Australians alike, we have a lot of festivals all year round.

I’m talking music festivals, food festivals, arts and crafts, healing and esoteric, dance, yoga, renewable energy, building design, crystals, antiques, comedy, more food, and of course more music .

As a performer, I’m lucky enough to often get gigs at some of them, which usually means an ‘Access All Areas’ full pass, plus privileges like parking facilities for costume drop offs, and of course a fee.

I’m a blessed and grateful woman.

So I’ve seen a lot of music, a lot of performance, a lot of shows. I’ve been doing this work in this area for 20 years this year (although I won’t be getting a pension, nor any large Superannuation payout that’s for sure).

I’ve shared backstage space with a lot of musicians, various writers and politicians, a few actors and stand up comedians, a number of other performing artists, and quite a few egos the size of a small marquee.

I’ve been around; I’ve seen a lot of artists ‘do their thing’. I’ve seen old timers like Buddy Guy or Barry White just chillin’ back on a chair, doing the minimal, because that’s all we need.

I’ve seen passionate politicians like Gough Whitlam or Julia Gillard still inspiring audiences to strive for a fairer society.

And I’ve seen actors, poets, singers, and even dancers move patrons to tears, over and over again.

I’m one of those. I LOVE the arts, and one of my top favourite places in the world to be is not an exotic beach, nor ancient monument or landscape, but rather the darkened theatre in that moment before the curtain rises or the first note of the song rings out.

My small country town hosts a music festival every year- this year was the 10th. The Director handpicks both known and unknown acts from around the world, some of whom return every year- the loyalty and friendliness is one of the festival’s winning vibes.

This year, he brought us Wallis Bird.

Do yourself a favour: if she tours near you, go see her. If she tours near a family member or distant relative, go stay with them, and buy them a ticket too. If she’s performing in a country you’ve always wanted to visit, now’s the time to book that plane flight, and cross it off your bucket list.

She’s extraordinary.

She’s Irish, lives in Europe, and lost 4 fingers in a mowing accident so plays guitar upside down. She rocks out!

A vivid, visceral, and utterly heart-centred artist, passionately expressing what they were put on this planet to do.

When was the last time you went and saw some good live music? Got sweaty and jostled with a dancing crowd, or sat peacefully with eyes closed listening to a string quartet? Whatever your preferred style, make a date to check out a good live musician this month, and bathe in the raw, real power of musical prowess. And who cares if you’re over 40 or 50? Show the young folk that good music can always be appreciated.

I’d especially recommend Wallis Bird, but you know that already, and here’s the standing ovation she drew from my hometown crowd:

 

In gratitude for the music, G