Thirsty Merc delivered a sweet time, a hot night and everything was definitely more than alright on Wednesday 4 April at Geelong’s Barwon Club.
Being mid-week, the crowd rolled into the venue slowly – but steadily nonetheless. To warm us up and prepare our souls and earholes for what was to come, was acoustic act Taylor Sheridan. Kicking things off with a soulful rendition of Michael Jackson’s Billie Jean, the crowd became mesmerized by the Kyneton-based singer-songwriter. Quite possibly the perfect introduction and mood-setter for the mid-week performance, the crowd settled in nicely, as Sheridan followed with a handful of original tracks which drew together elements of pop, funk and rock.
A short intermission and enter Thirsty Merc; who went on to give me 20 Good Reasons to be missing my recently adopted 10.00PM bed time. The Geelong gig saw the band off to a powerful start on the most recent leg of their Take Me Back tour, which is an honest celebration of Thirsty Merc’s 15 years.
An inspiring and refreshing set list featuring tracks throughout which had never before been performed live, crowd members were surprised, while simultaneously delighted as all the hits went on to make an appearance.
Queue tracks such as Someday, Someday and In the Summertime which came out of the bands’ debut self-titled album in 2004, as well as radio staples including 20 Good Reasons, Mousetrap Heart and Tommy and Krista, audience members were reminded of just why Thirsty Merc have come to be the well-known and loved act they are today.
Due credit must be given to all members of the band for bringing with them their sheer skill and charisma, as well as their love for what they do. It takes a special kind of energy to get a crowd moving to the extent they were on a Wednesday night. A special mention must also be made of the bands’ drummer on the night, for delivering one of the most impressive drum solos I have seen in some time. So much so, that I now want to take up drumming myself.
Come the end of the night, crowd members were left beaming as they filed out of the venue, with some still singing along in a much less impressive tone than that of lead-singer Rai Thistlethwayte on their way to their patiently awaiting taxi.
It’s clear to see why Thirsty Merc have been titled one of Australia’s finest live acts. Their tracks have truly become part of Australia’s musical DNA over the passage of time and it excites me to see how their mark will continue to develop in the future.
When: Wednesday 4 April, 2018
Where: The Barwon Club, Geelong
Support: Taylor Sheridan
Reviewed and photographed by Helena Metzke