If you didn’t manage to get down to The Northshore Tavern on the 27th, you missed out. To kick off the night were some familiar acoustic covers, which always goes a treat. Warming up the crowd with a barrage of classic songs – new and old – making sure to keep everyone happy, interested and set the tone for the night.
Enter Thirsty Merc. Picking up the pace a little with their unique, trademark sound, whilst managing to deliver some relaxed, soothing songs, they not only continued the set vibe; they raised it up a notch. A couple of notes into a mellowed version of “Someday” began to play, and one of my personal highlights of the night was seeing the crowd erupt with anticipation and begin to go ballistic. It’s satisfying to see bands who enjoy themselves on stage and continuously bond with one another. Thirsty Merc are a band that remain professional and make it look fun. An iconic Summer Aussie band, Thirsty Merc should certainly be on everyone’s playlist.
Opening on his classic hit “All I Do”, Daryl Braithwaite and his band burst onto the stage looking happy, excited and as eager to entertain as always. Playing hit after hit, the crowd goes wild knowing every song word for word.
I’ve always believed that the sign of a true entertainer is to always surprise the crowd, the more faithful the crowd, the bigger the surprise. Daryl Braithwaite has been performing to sold out venues and charities for almost 5 decades – which is a standout feat on it’s own – so you can only imagine the bewildered delight of the crowd as he belted out Sherbert’s famous hit “Hound Dog.” Needless to say, this was the ultimate “curve ball” that I heard mentioned by many satisfied members of the crowd well into the night.
Just when you think the show is wrapping up, the encore of all encores was approaching rapidly. One word… Horses. The intro alone set the audience into a wild frenzy. There were hands in the air, arms around couples (one girl even managed to climb onto her partners shoulders wearing a horse mask, which Daryl Braithwaite soon put on himself), and of course, Australia’s unofficial chorus was sung in unity. The extended outro was fantastic bonus and one I will never grow bored of.
I think its safe to say everyone had a ripper of a night, hearing all his other hits “One Summer” “As The Days Go By” “Howzat” (honourable mention to Braithwaites early career band, Sherbet, and many, many more. It’s utterly superb to see the ever-young Daryl Braithwaite still selling out venues and gaining new fans as well as, pleasing not only the die hard fans from way back, but all members of the public, and it was an honor to attend and review his show.
Combined with Thirsty Merc, this truly was the “Sounds of the Summer” event that was promised, and the traditional, laid-backed vibe of The Northshore Tavern was a perfect fit.
PHOTO GALLERY
Photos by Linda Dunjey Photography
