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A Day On The Green: The Audreys, Mia Dyson, The Whitlams, Pete Murray Peter Lehmann Wines, Tanunda, Sat 3 Dec  Arriving
around 3:30, after bypassing the extremely long line up that completely
congested one of two lengthy driveways that led into the Peter Lehmann
Wines Estate, we were surprised at how many people were already gathered
within the grounds and settled for the event ahead. Finally agreeing
on a spot just right of the control tent and half way up the grassy
slope, we marked our little patch of turf with our motorcycle helmets
and jackets and wandered off for a quick takeaway lunch from one of
the many and varied mobile venders and a couple of extra bottles of
drink to last us until the never-too-threatening sun descended for
the day. Weatherwise you truly couldn't have ordered a better day and as the afternoon wore on more and more concertgoers arrived which resulted in increasingly less leg space for us. Despite this, the overall ambience of the event ensured the predominately youngish crowd (comparable to previous years that featured acts that appealed to older crowds) remained friendly and patient for local contenders The Audreys to begin. Looking around me however, it would be fair to assume that most were there for the headline artist Pete Murray as some of the eavesdropped chatter involved talk of Year 12 exams and the like. That's not to say that The Audreys failed to impress those unfamiliar with their unique brand of violin/banjo accompanied folk/pop. Quite the contrary actually, as those nearby certainly returned some much deserved praise and approval. While the openers enjoyed pristine sound and an even mix throughout, unfortunately I don't know what happened with blues'n'roots diva Mia Dyson: the sound blaring out of the big speakers was simply too loud and gratingly distorted. Even if it did settle down after a few numbers I'm sorry to admit that by then we'd given up trying get into it and happily talked amongst ourselves; a pity since I'd heard nothing but good things about Dyson's live performances and will no doubt have another chance to hear for myself what much of the fuss is about. I have never been a Whitlams fan - well, not of their CDs anyway. However, both times I've seen them play live I inevitably ask myself "why not?" As a live act, they most definitely know how to work a crowd and squeeze the last drop of life out of their instruments and many throughout the crowd mouthed along with near every single word of every song. By the time they finished their set a lot of folks were up on their feet and dancing. I've yet to fully understand what all the hype is about with Pete Murray, but after witnessing him on stage I can better appreciate his appeal. With the gumtree surrounds gradually blurring into silhouettes and stars slowly appearing one by one, Murray stepped before the 6000 strong crowd and delivered a set that befit both his multi-platinum status as a recording artist and his all-round appeal to entertain at a major level; and by this time most people were in full support, despite the long day.  |
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