Tag: Laycock Street Theatre

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Tim Freedman @ Laycock Street Theatre, Gosford – 12 March 2021

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

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Paul McDermott & Gatesy Go Solo – Laycock Street Theatre, Gosford – 12 November 2019

Paul McDermott and Stephen “Gatesy” Gates are Aussie comedy royalty. I’ve admired both their careers for so long. As a teenager I listened through headphones to Doug Anthony All-Stars music that I’d taped onto cassettes borrowed from friends. They were deliberately mislabelled because my parents forbade me from hearing such smut. Tripod were one of the first Aussie bands I introduced by comedy-loving American husband to. I have such fond memories of their respective musical outputs, so when I heard they were teaming up for a Laycock Street Theatre in Gosford, I snapped up tickets.

Normally when I buy tickets for a show, I have some idea what I’m going to get, but I was flying blind on this one. I expected laughs, and I got them. Music with blissful harmonies of course, check. But as for the material, I wasn’t quite sure. As it turns out, these shows are fresh as a daisy with brand new collaborative material. That might disappoint some fans of DAAS or Tripod, but I think the shows are better for it. I have such fond memories of hearing the songs from these acts in the original trios. I don’t need to hear them taken out of that environment. Some of that comedy material has also dated too. It’s much more fun today to hear songs about hot button issues like white male privilege and our current leader’s failings, for example.

This might be a fairly new musical collaboration for Paul and Gatesy, but their 18-year friendship has created a rapport that’s delightful to watch. They bickered and bantered, creating moments every bit as hilarious as the songs. Laycock Street Theatre is divided into two halves, perfectly setting up a Paul’s side versus Gatesy’s side dynamic. I’m not sure we ever determined whose side was better, but it was so much fun to play along.

It wasn’t all laughs though. Tragedy is always the flipside of comedy, something I was reminded of in the final numbers of the show. While the “The Marvellous Mr Me” was a side-splitting response to a particularly scathing phone call Paul received, the next song was a much more sombre take on the same criticism. I found myself dabbing at tears as Paul and Gatesy sang a beautiful number about a mutual friend who lost her life too soon. These poignant moments were unexpected, but that added to their potency.

With the fire threat looming, only a small crowd turned out for the show. What was already so intimate became moreso when Paul and Gatesy told us to head out to the foyer for the encore. Paul took his place atop tables and they played a few more numbers, unaided by microphones or amps. Paul insisted he doesn’t like to get too close to the people, but after witnessing this delight of a show, I’m not sure I believe him one bit.

Paul McDermott & Gatesy Go Solo will play the following venues next!

15 November 2019 – Orange Civic Theatre, Orange
22 November 2019 – Ballarat Civic Hall, Ballarat
23 & 24 November 2019 – Caravan Music Club, Bentleigh
24 November 2019 – Queenscliff Music Festival, Queenscliff
5 November 2019 – Canberra Theatre Centre, Canberra
6 November 2019 – Riverlinks Westside, Shepparton

Image source: own photo

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Rick Price @ Laycock Street Theatre, Gosford – 12 October 2018

Rick Price’s Heaven Knows album is one of the first I remember buying with my own money. I was only getting a few dollars a week for chores around the house, so it took months for 12-year-old me to get my hands on it. When I did, I made it count, blasting those radio-friendly pop-rock tunes until my parents were tired of them. So when I heard Rick Price was revisiting that beloved album, in an intimate venue on the Central Coast no less, I snapped up tickets.

Laycock Street Theatre in Gosford is a small venue at the best of times, but its Don Craig room takes intimate to a new level. It holds no more than 100 seats, and its stage is tiny. They don’t allow photos during the performance, but it’s nice to just be in the moment and drink it all in. Give me this over a big arena any day.

Rick promised to play Heaven Knows cover-to-cover, but he made us wait for it. The first half was a kind of musical catch-up session, celebrating highlights of his career after that breakthrough records. Songs like “River of Love” from Tamborine Mountain were charting singles while others, like gospel tracks from his 2015 album Tennessee Sky were less familiar to most people I imagine. But there’s something about seeing an artist in a setting like this, with just an acoustic guitar and an incredible voice, that engages you regardless of whether they’re playing the hits of lesser-known numbers.

After a brief intermission we were back for the major drawcard, the Heaven Knows album cover to cover. I’ve seen Rick play countless times over the years, but what a treat it was to hear many of the songs from that album that don’t make his usual sets, especially in this stripped acoustic mode. They sounded so good on the album, but hearing them without all the studio production was a revelation. Rick peppered the songs with stories about that exciting time in his career, the experiences he had, the inspiration for the music that meant so much not just to him but so many Australians.

It was a special night for Rick, and not just because he was sharing special songs in a venue he clearly loves. His son and granddaughter were there, so it was only fitting that he left us with a song from Tamborine Mountain he wrote for his boy, now a man with a family of his own, “You’re Never Alone.” It’s such a beautiful song, and Rick always does a wonderful rendition, but there was extra emotion behind it, knowing who was in the room this time.

Rick Price is taking his Heaven Knows tour all around the country. If like me, you ever cranked up his songs on the radio, you won’t want to miss this.

20 October 2018 – The Cabaret Club, Ballarat
23 October 2018 – Beerwah Hotel, Sunshine Coast
24 October 2018 – Palmwoods Hotel, Sunshine Coast
25 October 2018 – Brisbane Jazz Club, Brisbane
26 October 2018 – Southport RSL Club, Gold Coast
27 October 2018 – The Exchange Hotel Kilcoy, Kilcoy
28 October 2018 – Westower Tavern, West Ballina
2 November 2018 – The Agrestic Grocer, Orange
3 November 2018 – Smith’s Alternative, Canberra
4 November 2018 – Cronulla Golf, Cronulla
9 November 2018 – Burnie Arts Centre, Burnie
10 November 2018 – Hotel Crown, Victor Harbor

Image source: own photo

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ian Moss @ Laycock Street Theatre, Gosford – 24 March 2016

Should I ever appear on RocKwiZ, I’m glad that I have a credible answer to the question “What was the first piece of music you bought with your own money?” While some people might cringe at their younger self, I can proudly remember the moment when I visited my nearest Brashs and bought Matchbook, Ian Moss’s first solo album, on cassette. I knew of Mossy from the Cold Chisel albums Dad played, but my love of solo tracks like “Tucker’s Daughter” and “Telephone Booth” inspired me to lay down my hard-earned pocket money. That was 27 years ago, and my appreciation for Ian Moss’s music hasn’t waned. I’ve seen him play entertainment centres and wineries, but I feel like intimate gigs at small venues are where Mossy really shines. So I knew I was in for a real treat when he brought his 10th Anniversary Six Strings Classics Tour to Gosford’s Laycock Street Theatre on Thursday night.

A short video reminded us of Mossy’s journey to the stage, his time growing up in Alice Springs and honing his craft as a member of Cold Chisel and as a solo musician, the key moments that brought him to us to kick-start our long weekend. So it was fitting that he began the show not with an original but a cover of Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Green River,” a bluesy song that no doubt influenced his own music. There was plenty of that to come, drawing from his Cold Chisel and solo years. While the hits went down a treat, I also appreciated that Mossy played lesser known songs too, like “Such a Beautiful Thing” from my beloved Matchbook album. The Chisel songs took on a new complexion stripped back, and that helped bring out the exceptional lyrics of Don Walker and dearly departed Steve Prestwich, who Mossy mentioned a few times during the set. I really loved his swampier take on “Flame Trees” was really special. A battle of the sexes sing-off made “Saturday Night” even more fun. Mossy declared it a draw, but I was sure we ladies out-sung the men in the crowd.

While this was largely a night of nostalgia, Ian Moss reminded us that his best music isn’t behind him. The second half of the night opened with a video of footage captured during recent recording sessions in Nashville. He played us a few songs that will feature on a new album, Nashville Sessions, due out later this year. The songs were beautiful, as good as anything he’s released in the past.
Ian Moss is an artist that continues to create wonderful music without forgetting the songs the people want to hear. His shows are a celebration of his musical legacy, and also a reminder that there’s plenty more to come. His 10th Anniversary Six Strings Classics Tour continues at the following venues. If he’s yet to visit your city, make sure you snap up one of the remaining tickets.

2 April 2016 – Enmore Theatre, Sydney
16 April 2016 – Wendouree Centre for Performing Arts, Ballarat
22 April 2016 – Orange Civic Theatre, Orange
23 April 2016 – Dubbo Regional Theatre, Subbo
29 April 2016 – Horsham Town Hall, Horsham
30 April 2016 – Ararat Performing Arts Centre, Ararat
6 May 2016 – Star Court Theatre, Lismore
7 May 2016 – Glasshouse Theatre, Port Macquarie
13 May 2016 – Mildura Arts Centre, Mildura
14 May 2016 – Chaffey Theatre, Renmark
20 May 2016 – Esso BHP Wellington Entertainment Centre, Sale
21 May 2016 – West Gippsland Performing Arts Centre, Warragul
27 May 2016 – Geelong Performing Arts Centre, Geelong
28 May 2016 – Lighthouse Theatre, Warrnambool
2 June 2016 – Mandurah Performing Arts Centre, Mandurah
4 June 2016 – Albany Entertainment Centre, Albany
5 June 2016 – Bunbury Entertainment Centre, Bunbury
10 June 2016 – Middleback Theatre, Whyalla
11 June 2016 – Northern Festival Theatre, Port Pirie
15 June 2016 – Armitage Centre, Toowoomba
16 June 2016 – Ipswich Civic Centre, Ipswich
18 June 2016 – Redcliffe Cultural Centre, Redcliffe
19 June 2016 – Mackay Entertainment Centre, Mackay
21 June 2016 – The Pilbeam Theatre, Rockhampton
22 June 2016 – Gladstone Entertainment & Convention Centre, Gladstone
24 June 2016 – Moncrieff Entertainment Centre, Bundaberg
25 June 2016 – The Brolga Theatre, Maryborough
26 August 2016 – Wangaratta Performing Arts Centre, Wangaratta
27 August 2016 – Capital Theatre, Bendigo
16 September 2016 – Griffith Regional Theatre, Griffith
17 September 2016 – Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre, Wagga Wagga

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Richard Clapton @ Laycock Street Theatre, Wyoming – 13 September 2015

When Lizotte’s at Kincumber closed its doors, I started to worry that the Central Coast might start missing out on shows. The older I get, the lazier I get, and the more it takes to compel me to head to Sydney or Newcastle for a show. However, it seems that the loss of Lizotte’s has been Laycock Street Theatre’s gain. This small theatre in Wyoming has been hosting some of Australia’s best talents over the recent months, yet a lack of promotion means I’m usually the last to know. I actually stumbled across the news that Richard Clapton was heading our way just a couple of weeks ago.

Richard’s always been one of my favourite performers, so I couldn’t resist checking his Lonesome Voyager tour. It was billed as an opportunity to see Richard up close and personal, to hear the songs that made him a legend and the stories behind them. Honestly on that score I was a little disappointed. It seems Richard’s heyday passed in a heady blur, so he’s a little vague on the details of many of the songs’ origins. However, there was probably drugs or alcohol or both involved in their inception. The stories he recounted were cheeky and hilarious, but I didn’t quite get the insight into the music I was looking for.

What I did relish was the chance to see Richard Clapton and his guitarist pal playing acoustically. I’ve seen Richard perform more times than I can count on my fingers, but this was my first opportunity to hear him without a full band, back-up singers, and the like. With just an acoustic guitar or two depending on the song, beautiful numbers like “Best Years of Our Lives,” “Blue Bay Blues,” and the final encore, “Goodbye Tiger” were shown in all their glory. There were no real surprises in the set. I’ve seen him play virtually the same songs most times I’ve seen him. He’s one of those artists who knows what his fans want and delivers it. However, while I’d heard these songs so many times before, the acoustic treatment helped me appreciate them in a new way.

With the show starting at 7 pm and no support act, we were all done and dusted by a little after 8:30 pm. I must admit, it felt weird to go home and have time to watch The X Factor before bed, but it was also kind of nice. What a thrill to have such a musical legend play so close to home, then send us on our way before we started to get drowsy. Hopefully there are more of these “old people gigs,” as my husband put it, at Laycock to come.

Image source: Richard Clapton’s Facebook page