There was a touch of trepidation going to The Heart of St Kilda concert at The Palais. Many of the acts weren’t really musicians that I would go out of my way to see a full concert over. It was a slightly odd feeling in all honesty, in that we were supporting a good cause by listening but I went in with the feeling that we were going to listen to songs which have grown tired through via plays on Gold FM 3 times a day.
I shouldn’t be so insensitive about the night, because it was for a good cause, and in the end it wasn’t really all about that. Sure, we got songs from the days of Noiseworks with Jon Stevens (‘Touch’ was what was played, but admittatdly we did get a few new songs. As an aside – he really hasn’t lost any quality in his voice after the amount of years he’s been playing, so it wasn’t all about reminiscence) and Billy Miller playing songs with his own 1960’s style swagger, but it wasn’t all about nostalgia.
The Little Stevies were a case in point in that they captivated everyone with their delightful newish folk pop without resorting to a cover or rolling along with that kind of time travelling. I had wished they stayed on for more than two songs too, but hey I think i was in the minority. People like Paul Kelly were coming on later on! And he made the night a nice sombre affair with a lovely rendition of Deeper Water, while Adalita stunned the crowd with her sultry voice and beautiful rendition of Patti Smith’s Because The Night. I mean, all well and good, but I wished for a bit more freshness to the night. Even did well through the night as the house band helping out on other musician’s set here and there. There’s nothing that those guys can’t do. The Wolfgramm Sisters added a tinged of soul to the night as well
Russell Morris ended the night in his swanky kind of way, and of course finished the concert with his The Real Thing, a song that signifies itself as the probably the most under appreciated piece of psych any Australian musician has made. The night was smattered with comedians like Jimeon and Nelly Thomas throughout the night, Tripod were probably the highlight of all of them towards the end of the night with a beautiful, yet quirky, sense of musicianship. I mean – is it weird for me to appreciate a bunch of comedians for their wonderful harmonies more so than how funny they are? That was what struck about Tripod in that sense.
The theatre filled with punters supporting Sacred Heart Mission, a charity assisting those who are homeless by trying to re-connect them with the community – and everyone’s cause through the night was sincere. As the host, Brian Nankervis assured that this event wasn’t a drab affair, with his delectable wit and playfulness, I’d have to say he was the highlight of the night.
The entertainment was enjoyable, and while it was a little overstacked with musicians who unwillingly subscribed to that Gold FM mantra, we heard a nice mix of talent that made me feel all warm and fuzzy on the ride home in the cold night air.
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