Wednesday 28 March 2012

Elbow at the Hordern Pavilion, 26 March 2012

First stop of my documented cultural journey was the Elbow concert in the Hordern Pavilion, which I was very much looking forward to. Great British band with clever lyrics, rousing orchestral sound and the spine-tingeling voice of frontman Guy Garvey - what's not to like!

Singer Guy Garvey playing trumpet
Seeing Garvey in action reminded me of what's important for a memorable concert. He's such a genuinely nice guy and he managed to make the venue, which is pretty impersonal and has as much atmosphere as a school assembly hall, seem small and intimate. He engaged us in sing-alongs, clap-alongs and general hum- and whistle-alongs - and I mean all that in the best possible way!


But a special mention needs to go to their support act: I had read about British indie rock band Bombay Bicycle Club, but had never heard any of their songs. Love them! Especially Evening/Morning from their 2009 album I Had the Blues But I Shook Them Loose is brilliant; and the voice of lead singer Jack Steadman reminds me slightly of Brian Molko, the singer of alternative rock band Placebo, also from London.

Tuesday 27 March 2012

A new beginning

Writing a blog seems daunting: Exposing yourself for all the world to see? Scary. But, hey, do one thing that scares you every day and all that... So - deep breath - here we go: After staying at home and looking after my two adorable children for seven years I am finally ready to play being a proper grown-up again. Adult conversations that don't centre around our precious offspring, concerts, exhibitions and hopefully a paid job on the horizon... The first step in that transition is to remember who I used to be, what I love and what inspires me outside my lovely family. The answer to that last question is: mainly music, literature and art.

So in this blog I will note cultural gems that I pick up in Sydney and elsewhere and share what recently got me excited, intrigued, puzzled and delighted.