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MEMOries.


Representing the Saints on stage.
Representing the Saints on stage.

Yesterday was a special day for me. I was somewhat hesitant to accept an invitation a couple of months ago to perform at the iconic Memo Music Hall, knowing that I’d be out of the country for the lead up to it and have minimal time and energy to focus on promoting and preparing for it, I wasn’t sure how it’d go, or if anyone would turn up. Thanks to security measures with websites, I wasn’t even able to log in to check ticket sales until I got home. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that the show had sold out the Ember Lounge in advance, the smaller space I was content with performing in, and so the decision this week to move to the main hall was daunting for me.

It’s a high ceiling music venue with a balcony that has a rich history of hosting balls from its beginning over 100 years ago, to a grand picture theatre, it became a recording studio that the likes of Olivia Newton-John, Normie Rowe and The Easybeats recorded at. It was a film studio where Bert & Pattie Newton, the cast of Homocide & No.96 and others used to shoot TV ads for cinema. Legendary Australian musicians such as Kate Ceberano, Chris Wilson, The Black Sorrows, Renee Geyer, Paul Kelly and so many more have performed here. And then there is the history of St.Kilda itself. A haven for creatives in Melbourne, a place close to my heart.

I was overwhelmed and honoured to see my name and show listed here, to have a green room backstage with access to my own toilet (the perks of showbiz!) and to be offered a band rider (I really should have asked for more than a bottle of water). To have a tech rehearsal, bar staff, security and FOH staff and crew setting up cabaret seating tables with names of those who booked, and an awaiting audience ready for the doors to open. I’m still pinching myself that this niche subject about walking the Camino has found an audience. Over half the hands went up in the crowd when I asked who’d walked it. Another bunch went up when I asked who wants to. Afterwards I met with audience members in the foyer and shared memories of their walks, a man who was 92 was in the crowd and thanked me for the show, only 3 people I know were there. The rest were all new faces which is a great sign that the show has found a new audience. And a reminder that my friends are all sick of seeing me. Haha.

For an unknown act who suffers from imposter syndrome, the turnout was amazing for my first time here, a solo show that ran 80 mins that held the attention of the audience from start to finish. Stepping foot on that stage and soaking up the nostalgia of this venue gave me goosebumps.

I’ve done the show 85+ times now in 10 countries, but this one I’ll cherish.

My mum grew up in Windsor, not far from here and that’s why I’ve also been cursed supporting St.Kilda. I think she’d have been chuffed to see me play this venue. I wore my St.Kilda socks on stage and gave her a special mention. I told the audience that I’d be donating 100% of any merchandise proceeds to the @PeterMacCallumCancerFoundation in her honour towards my Melb 1/2 Marathon. I am pleased to say that I collected $149 and now at the time of writing, I’m only $280 away from my $2,000 target.

I'll pop the link here and in the comments for those who wish to chip in.

Thank you to those who came to the show and to those who dug deep to contribute, it means a lot to me to be able to give back. Mum would be embarrassed for putting her pic on the big screen and argue that she’s not deserving of the fuss. But I’d argue that she could have picked a more successful football team for me to follow. You don’t get everything you want, so be grateful for what you’ve got!

I touch on grief in this show and at times it can be a hard one for me to perform, unfortunately there was a little more grief than usual today but I felt it was fitting to mention considering the topic of the show. I also paid tribute to a mate and colleague who passed away just yesterday, a wonderful comedian from Scotland, Gary Little Comedian. We’d worked together many times when I lived in Scotland and besides being a great storyteller, we shared an interest in the outdoors and taking silly photos on mountain tops, although we never really talked about it when I lived in Edinburgh - my love for hiking has come later in life - I spent more time on the Megabus getting to gigs, than traipsing in the hills. He was a ripped man, intimidating in stature but a gentle giant and loved person. He died while out on a hike in nature, doing something he loved. At this stage of my life, I can’t think of a better place or way to go.

His death has sent shockwaves through our community and the tributes have been pouring in. I wish we’d been able to go on a hike together in the Highlands, and right now I wish I was in Scotland to be amongst those old pals and share stories and wee dram.

His passing is a reminder that we shouldn’t take life for granted or how long we’ve got here and to make the most of it. Gary didn’t like people running over time on stage, it’s kind of ironically fitting that he didn’t run over time in life, but he sure did give it is all on stage before his time was up. RIP big man. x


Melbourne 1/2 Marathon donations link:








 
 
 

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