As I shiver through this unseasonably chilly May weather, it’s hard to believe I was basking in the sunshine at Bimbadgen Estate’s first (and hopefully not last) Cellar Door Series concert less than two weeks ago. There was so much to like about this event. The weather was glorious, warm without being sweltering as it is so often during the Day on the Green series. With a reduced COVID-safe capacity, we had plenty of space to spread out in our allocated squares. As an added bonus, the queues for lunch, booze, and the toilets were blissfully short. With just two acts on the bill, we were heading home by 6. How very civilised! And of course, those two acts were a big reason to love this show.

I’ve long admired Gordi’s gentle, folky music, so I was thrilled to see her in this setting. Her songs would have been too subtle for a big Day on the Green audience, but here among a smaller group of serious music fans they hit the right note. She held our attention with her hypnotically soothing voice and poetic lyrics. She chatted openly with the crowd, relishing the chance to get up in front of fans and support Ben, an artist she’s long admired. The surprise addition of Gordi’s long-time friend and sometimes collaborator Alex Lahey on a few songs they wrote together was a real thrill.

While I appreciated Gordi’s set, my excitement hit fever pitch for Ben Folds. After the COVID pandemic put the brakes on the local music scene, I’ve appreciated any chance to see live musicians doing their thing. But watching an international star play live is such a rare experience in the current climate. I relished it.

Ben seemed just as excited at the setup, marvelling at the parents swinging their kids around and the wild kangaroos who stopped to watch his set. And why wouldn’t you when such a talent is on stage? He chatted easily to us, sharing stories of his life. Hearing how he saw legendary fighters before they turned pro with his dad set the scene for “Boxing.” Hearing stories of the people in his life who inspired “Uncle Walter” and “Bastard” gave them extra power. His nostalgic mood might suggest he’s missing the US, but he assured us there’s no place he’d rather spend the pandemic than Sydney.

I’ve seen Ben perform countless times over the years, but this set was probably my favourite. The pandemic might have something to do with it. I think I appreciate concerts a little more now my calendar isn’t stacked with them. But there was more than that. He was in fine voice, so enthusiastic to be back in front of audiences, and that glee was infectious. In a traditional gig, the lights go out and the connections dim. The performers can’t see beyond the first few rows and you struggle to make out the people around you. Here I could see the faces of people who adored this gig as much as I did. Holding my husband’s hand as we both looked at each other during “The Luckiest” is a concert moment I’ll hold close to my heart forever. Everyone in attendance that day shared something and it was beautiful.

This was a set for fans, which we all were judging by the way we enthusiastically sang Regina Spektor’s parts in “You Don’t Know Me,” clapped along to “Annie Waits,” and danced around to “Effington” and “One Angry Dwarf and 200 Solemn Faces.” We were much more excited to hear him close with “My Philosophy” than “Brick” or “Rocking the Suburbs.” No one seemed to care that those radio staples weren’t included in the set, because what we heard was so good.

The team behind A Day on the Green set their bar tremendously high with their first Cellar Door Series show. I’m not sure they could possibly top it, but I’m keen to watch them try.

Image source: Stephen Katulka