The eclectic mix of people gathered in the front bar at The Stag & Hunter Hotel on Friday night to watch Andy Golledge play his first show in Newcastle is a testament to the universal and intergenerational themes of his music.
It was 2017 when we first saw Andy on stage during a showcase gig at Bigsound in Brisbane. Back then he was armed with the songs that he’d been playing in bars around Sydney and some of the tracks that would eventually make up his debut EP, Namoi.
The first time we saw Andy we immediately fell in love with his songwriting that night and the infectious intimacy shared between the players. So it’s beautiful to see him hug each band member as they take the stage for tonight’s gig six years later ready to play songs from his debut album, Strength of A Queen,
There’s love in the room, but it’s not just on stage.
Kicking off the set with Blue, one of the highlights from the 2020 EP, there’s not a face without a smile on it at The Stag.
The album is barely a month old, but the cuts that feature in tonight’s set are greeted like old friends by the audience who are moving to the feel and singing the choruses like they’re old friends.
Highlights include the album’s title track, the single New Stamp and Dreamin’ Of A Highway with amazing harmonies from Caitlin Harnett.
But it’s perhaps the deliverance of Run To The River, with Andy’s dedication to his brother, that lifts the crowd to a truly shared experience and reveals the absolute magic of an Andy Golledge show.
From there the rest of the set lifts and before you know it a group of people down the front have their shirts off and Andy is being lifted into the air by the crowd as Rescue Me concludes the set.
By the end of the show you can see Andy, and much of the band, are spent, but they give it one more before the man of the hour heads to the merch stand to sign vinyl copies of Strength Of A Queen and hear stories from fans about why his music means to much to them.
It’s been many years since we’ve seen The Stag move the way it did on Friday night and it reminded us why the venue is so important for our live music scene here in Newcastle.
Live music is back… And we can’t wait for Andy to return.
You can find out more about Andy Golledge and pick up of copy of his album by visiting andygolledge.com.au. And there are stacks of great gigs coming to The Stag over the next few months, hit the gig guide or visit stagandhunter.com.au to find out more
