When we arrived at Sydney’s Hordern Pavilion I was immediately excited.
The last time I’d gone there to see Tash Sultana there - or any musician for that matter - there was massive lines to get in and the usual big crowd of people.
It’s a 5500-capacity venue but the Aussie artist’s gig on Saturday night - her only performance of the year - was for 1000.
That meant you walked straight in, immediately got a drink at the bar, and didn’t have to jostle for floor space.
But it seemed that wasn’t enough for some people in this post coronavirus lockdown world.
As soon as we stepped into the tiny line to get our bags checked and security was reminding people to socially distance and stand in a single file, there was eye-rolling and whingeing.
One lady - who didn’t look like she was getting kicked out for being too drunk - was already being told to leave the venue.
Once we got inside and people still didn’t realise you had to stand on the large yellow dots to keep distanced in the bar queue, there was more complaining.
When a guard again asked people to stay on the dots, the lady behind us said, “This is ridiculous. What happens when we’re in line at Coles?!”
I don’t know what that woman’s been doing at supermarkets but there are markers on the floor there too you’re supposed to stand on. Cue my own eye roll.
Another group of particularly douchey guys walked past a staff member and said, “Oh, so you’re the marshall?” and she told them she was actually a security guard. Not that a COVID marshal is not as important, as if that’s what they were suggesting.
In my opinion the best part about gigs now is you can sit down - and you don’t have anyone either side of you.
You’re not getting knocked around, having sweat flung on you or drinks spilt on you.
While for the most part this concept went smoothly, we still had one particularly inconsiderate woman rush past us and knock our drinks over, not giving us time to move them or adjust our legs for her.
I have to admit among all this, even we broke the rules. At one point towards the end of the - what can only be described as a phenomenal show - everyone was itching to stand up and slowly groups of people did.
I suppose everyone figured if the whole crowd did it, how were they going to tell everyone to sit down?
I felt like a naughty school student doing the wrong thing and at first I couldn’t bring myself to do it. Eventually I did and I have to say for those few minutes we were swaying around, it felt amazing being able to briefly dance again.
The security guards sure enough got around and told everyone to sit back done, and they did so very kindly.
They were also helped by Tash who said while she appreciated everyone’s enthusiasm they had to sit down or the show would be cut.
The thing about 2020 is everyone gets it - generally. They know we’re desperate to have a good time and feel normal again - but they know they don’t want to be responsible for a virus outbreak.
It’s a shame not everyone is on the same page.
And after a year that’s been marred by so much tragedy and heartbreak, this kind of show was what 2020 really needed.
As someone on YouTube pointed out, “The people at this show are some of the luckiest people alive at the moment”.
I certainly felt like one of them, and I think people forget that sentiment as others in much tougher situations or lockdowns across the world livestreamed the performance from their couch.
The “epic” performance nearly didn’t go ahead - Tash lost her voice early in the week and was going to have to cancel.
After practising in front of her dog at home all year, this would have been devastating, but of course she prevailed.
“I waited all year patiently for this one night,” she wrote on Instagram afterwards.
“I rehearsed every single day for months. This room was more than I could have ever dreamed last night, I can’t believe I played a real show with real people this year.
“Thank you everyone for your energy and genuine love and support. I felt every single one of you and I hope you felt my spirit too.”
Her energy on stage was electric and the entire room - and everyone at home - was captivated.
The show was part of the Great Southern Nights series of concerts around NSW that’s bringing live music back to venues and what a treat it’s been.
It was actually Tash’s last solo performance before she releases her new album in February, when she’ll have more people on stage with her.
“Just wait until you see what I have in store for you,” she told the crowd.
I know I can’t wait for 2021.
https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMingFodHRwczovL3d3dy5uZXdzLmNvbS5hdS9lbnRlcnRhaW5tZW50L211c2ljL3RoZS1tb3N0LWFubm95aW5nLXBlb3BsZS1wb3N0Y292aWQtd2hvLWRvbnQtcmVhbGlzZS1ob3ctbHVja3ktdGhleS1hcmUvbmV3cy1zdG9yeS9jYTc2ZGJhYmYyYzE4NjllNmQ1MzI4NmMxNTAxMGQ3MtIBngFodHRwczovL2FtcC5uZXdzLmNvbS5hdS9lbnRlcnRhaW5tZW50L211c2ljL3RoZS1tb3N0LWFubm95aW5nLXBlb3BsZS1wb3N0Y292aWQtd2hvLWRvbnQtcmVhbGlzZS1ob3ctbHVja3ktdGhleS1hcmUvbmV3cy1zdG9yeS9jYTc2ZGJhYmYyYzE4NjllNmQ1MzI4NmMxNTAxMGQ3Mg?oc=5
2020-11-30 01:53:37Z
CBMingFodHRwczovL3d3dy5uZXdzLmNvbS5hdS9lbnRlcnRhaW5tZW50L211c2ljL3RoZS1tb3N0LWFubm95aW5nLXBlb3BsZS1wb3N0Y292aWQtd2hvLWRvbnQtcmVhbGlzZS1ob3ctbHVja3ktdGhleS1hcmUvbmV3cy1zdG9yeS9jYTc2ZGJhYmYyYzE4NjllNmQ1MzI4NmMxNTAxMGQ3MtIBngFodHRwczovL2FtcC5uZXdzLmNvbS5hdS9lbnRlcnRhaW5tZW50L211c2ljL3RoZS1tb3N0LWFubm95aW5nLXBlb3BsZS1wb3N0Y292aWQtd2hvLWRvbnQtcmVhbGlzZS1ob3ctbHVja3ktdGhleS1hcmUvbmV3cy1zdG9yeS9jYTc2ZGJhYmYyYzE4NjllNmQ1MzI4NmMxNTAxMGQ3Mg
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