Unusual for me to attend a mid-week “school night” gig, but when Stan is playing on that night, what other choice is there?

Like any good night out, a feed was in order before hand, and having dined at Thai Tiki Hut once before, I knew it would be a reliable option, and indeed it was. I’m not sure why I didn’t get a better pic than this one, perhaps I was too distracted by the tasty food, but here it is.

Eleisha and I had a good time, but we were running slightly late, and we had agreed to meet our friends Mark and Emily, so we didn’t mess about too much before heading off.

The Venue

The gig was held at the Northcote Social Club, Northcote

Hobsons Bay Coast Guard

This was my first time seeing Hobsons Bay Coast Guard, and I was impressed! I liken them to a mix between B52s, Custard and Mental as Anything, but really they’re their own unique sound. Here’s a few short clips to give you a sense of what they’re about.

Skyscraper Stan and the Commission Flats

This was the fourth time I have seen Stan play, and I was impressed yet again with how great he is. His music is probably best defined as Americana folk, but that likely gives you a false sense of it. Just have a listen to some of these short clips.

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Dinner this evening was at Noi Thai in Fitzroy. Eleisha and I caught up with friends Mark and Emily, and a good nosh was had by all! For some reason I got no pics.

The Venue

This was the album launch for ‘Those Were Days’ and was held at The Night Cat, Fitzroy

Skyscraper Stan and the Commission Flats

This was my third time seeing Stan and he didn’t disappoint! For those of you who haven’t been to the Night Cat to see live music, you totally should! The stage is in the centre of the room, which allows for easy access to the bar (behind the stage essentially) which is great if you’re anything like me and enjoy a beverage or several.

Here’s how Stan describes himself on his website;

Antipodean songwriter Skyscraper Stan is a true believer in the power of words. One sentence, massaged just the right way, can be an entire story in and of itself. “I write songs slowly” he says “I think about everything I put down. Every line I sing, there’s a meaning to it”. Across a career spanning the better part of a decade, two studio albums and countless live performances, he has established himself as one of the most thrilling lyricists working in Australia today. Endless months on the road, “singing for his chips”, observing the lives of people in town and country and putting it all down on paper has sharpened Stan’s songwriting to a fine point. 

Anyway, it’s probably easier for you to watch a few clips instead. Here are some from the night;

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An awesome part of the Riverboats Music Festival is the riverboats themselves. The festival arranges for sideshows to happen on one of the riverboats, and on this beautiful sunny Sunday morning, hungover from two days and nights of excess at the festival proper, there was no better place to be than on a leisurely cruise down the mighty Murray River.

The wharf has been updated over the years, but still gives a sense of the history. By the 1870s, Echuca had risen to prominence as Australia’s largest inland port. Being the point of shortest distance between the Murray River and the major city of Melbourne, Echuca was both a key river port and railway junction. Paddle steamers would arrive at the 332-metre long redgum Echuca Wharf, were unloaded by hydraulic crane, and the goods then transported by rail to Melbourne. Wool, wheat, other grains, livestock, and timber were the most common commodities transported to Echuca. The wharf has been listed as a Heritage Place on the Australian National Heritage List.

Skyscraper Stan and the Commission Flats

Stan and band made their way onto the paddlesteamer, along with approximately 60 people or so, and we were off. Over the next hour or so we paddled downstream, turned around, then came back to the wharf again. Here’s some of the awesome entertainment we experienced along the way;

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Staged in the twin-towns of Echuca-Moama on the third weekend in February each year, Riverboats takes place under towering river red gums in a natural amphitheatre next to the mighty Murray. Historic paddlesteamers meander past all weekend, and occasionally the corellas get a bit raucous at sunset. We have one stage and plenty of room for dancing, brilliant artists and some of the best food trucks going round.

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