I’ve been thrilled there are more gigs on the concert calendar lately, but I’m also pretty selective about what I’m seeing. Rising hotel quarantine cases mean I can’t quite breathe easy, and the cooler weather makes hermitting so easy. However, I found myself venturing out on Saturday night, and I’m so glad I did. Chant du Vin is a new concert series, but hopefully it’ll be around for some time.
If like me you love the laidback vibes of winery shows but aren’t quite ready to sit among a massive crowd, Chant du Vin’s concerts are for you. Chant du Vin plays several shows in each wine region, choosing small wineries for their venues rather than the massive vineyards that host the Day on the Green events. There couldn’t have been more than 150 of us at Brokenwood Wines on Saturday night, one of four Hunter Valley shows for the event. Those of us with general admission tickets relaxed on our own picnic rugs and the chairs and beanbags organisers had thoughtfully left while the VIP ticket holders looked down from the event’s double-decker bus. A quality menu of food options and top-notch wines added to the atmosphere. Can I just say what a welcome change it is to be able to buy a bottle at any time during a winery show? Heaven!
It was like the organisers looked at my own personal wish list before booking acts for this all-acoustic night of entertainment. It’s been too long since I’ve seen Mahalia Barnes shining in the spotlight. She’s always stellar providing backing vocals for her dad, Jimmy Barnes, but I relished the opportunity to see her playing her own set. Hard Expectations was one of my favourite albums of 2018, so I was thrilled to see some of its tracks making the set. She peppered the originals with singalong classics including “I Am Woman” and “Heading in the Right Direction,” a beautiful way to pay tribute to some of the female pioneers of the Aussie music scene.
Mahalia reminisced about falling in love with Jack Jones’ music when she was just 8. I marvelled that I was only a couple of years older. Surely that makes the music of Southern Sons some of the first I fell in love with independent of my parents’ influence. The funny thing is, when he plays it doesn’t seem like more than 30 years have passed. Songs like “You Were There,” “Lead Me to Water,” and “Heart in Danger” still stand up. Jack’s voice hasn’t wearied at all over the years. When you play acoustic, there’s nowhere to hide, yet it rang out clear as a bell. He might have dismissed them as perfect toilet breaks songs, but for this fan hearing some new tracks was a real thrill.
If it was meant to be a mellow night of music, Sarah McLeod didn’t get the memo. She might have played an acoustic guitar, but her irresistible energy brought the night home strong. It was an eclectic and slightly unhinged set, featuring everything from Gershwin and Mahalia Jackson standards to solo songs and Superjesus tracks. After seeing Sarah supporting John Waite a few years ago, I had an inkling what to expect and knew just to hang on and enjoy the ride. And what a ride. She’s brilliant.
The Chant du Vin website suggested the show would finish around 9 but the artists were having none of it. They joined forces for some singalong tracks, making the show feel even more like we were just hanging with friends. I can’t remember how long it’s been since I was at an event and encouraged to sing, but gee it felt good to join in for songs like “Slipping Away” and “Proud Mary.”
As I walked back to the car at around 10, I marvelled that this show was the most relaxed I’ve felt in public since the pandemic began. We all had our own space, yet still felt like we were sharing something with the musicians and other concert-goers. I didn’t feel like reaching for my mask. I chatted happily with the people beside me. It all felt so normal and so wonderful. If you want to get in on some of that, check out Chant du Vin at one of the remaining shows. Limited tickets are still available.
6 May 2021 – Ross Hill Wines, Orange
7 May 2021 – Stockman’s Ridge Wines, Orange
8 May 2021 – Tamburlaine Wines, Borenore
9 May 2021 – JS Wines, Nashdale
13 May 2021 – Calabria Family Wines, Griffith
14 May 2021 – Lillypilly Wines, Leeton
15 May 2021 – De Bortoli Wines, Bilbul
16 May 2021 – Casella Family Wines, Yenda
20 & 21 May 2021 – Lake George Winery, Lake George
22 & 23 May 2021 – The Vintner’s Daughter, Murrumbateman
Image source: own photos