The Whitlams were one of my concert casualties of last year. While that gig has been postponed to August, Tim Freedman is putting himself in front of smaller crowds with his Hot Autumn Nights shows.
Byron Bay-based singer-songwriter Sam Buckingham warmed up the crowd. Holding the attention of a sold-out theatre there to see someone else with only an acoustic guitar and your voice is no mean feat, but you could have heard a pin drop during her performance. I remember seeing her play at a little bar in inner-city Sydney what has to be at least 15 years ago, and it’s thrilling to see how far she’s come. She’d delight us with a witty, light-hearted number, then go for the emotional jugular with something weightier. She chatted easily with the crowd, clearly delighted to be out in the world amongst music lovers again. Her set was a big reminder that I need to catch up on the music I’ve missed because she’s such a talent.
While we were appreciative of Sam, there was a buzz of excitement when Tim took the stage. We were thrilled to see him and it seems the feeling was mutual. I’ve seen him play live so many times over the years, both with the Whitlams and on his own, but I can’t recall him being in such a chatty, upbeat mood. He stopped to pause and talk between most songs, regaling us of tales of their origins. Not even the steady stream of people exiting and entering the venue for the bars and toilets seemed to faze him, as he joked that while he’d lose them for a while they always seemed to come back.
In some ways, a Tim Freedman show isn’t too dissimilar from a Whitlams show. The hits and fan favourites from the band’s back catalogue still make up the bulk of the set. Nothing was neglected, from the songs that climbed the charts like “No Aphrodisiac” and “Blow Up the Pokies” to earlier singles like “Gough” and “I Make Hamburgers,” released before the band really gained mainstream attention. A selection of choice covers peppered the set. I saw Tim paying homage to Harry Nilsson years ago, so I was thrilled to hear him deliver the poignant “Mr Richland’s Favorite Song.” He nearly forgot to deliver the Randy Newman cover the show’s ads promised, but “Short People” was a fun addition to the encore. Nilsson and Newman covers were natural choices for a piano-playing singer-songwriter, but his take on Joni Mitchell’s “Both Sides Now” was more unexpected. I’m so glad I could witness it.
I don’t have photos from the night to share; Laycock Street Theatre forbids photography. I don’t mind that rule too much though. It forces you to stop looking for that perfect shot and simply appreciate what’s happening in front of you. After the year we’ve all had, so starved of live music, sharing in those moments with Tim, Sam, and the appreciative Central Coast audience was so welcome. Tim will take his Hot Autumn Nights tour to the following venues in the coming weeks:
18 March 2021 – Theatre Royal, Castlemaine
19 March 2021 – Burrinja Cultural Centre, Upwey
20 March 2021 – Corner Hotel, Melbourne
21 March 2021 – Corner Hotel, Melbourne
24 March 2021 – Lizotte’s, Newcastle
25 March 2021 – Soundlounge, Gold Coast
26 March 2021 – The Triffid, Brisbane
27 March 2021 – The Triffid, Brisbane
30 March 2021 – Rockford Winery, Tanunda
31 March 2021 – The Gov, Adelaide
1 April 2021 – The Gov, Adelaide