What a great show!! Previously I had only seen Steve on the ABC show -Live at the basement, well this show at the Swiss Mountain Hotel was even better. When Steve turned up I was at the bar with my brother in law (all the way from Adelaide), Steve came up to us and introduced himself....he is one really friendly character!! During the support act he sat with us in the audience, encouraging Bec (the support act). Steve started out playing songs from his two latest albums but Steve being Steve he conversed with all of us in the audience and this led to a fine rendition of Hey Cat, in which we all participated... it was fantastic. We also found out that Steves boots were RM Williams....( a good old South Aussie company!!! Go Adelaide!!) and he said that they were the best boots he had ever owned!!!! And he is going to get another black pair when he is in Adelaide!!!!
As there were quite a number there who had never heard of Steve or the Rugburns he did Hitchhiker Joe, and again we all sang the chorus (well it was the easy part anyway!) Steve was performing at 110% and he got quite emotional when singing Bombs, Tied Down, Haters Union, Spider and the Bumblebee (cos' his dad wrote the lyrics) and the beautiful Light in Your Eyes. During the intermission my brother in law (Mark) and I asked Steve if he was going to do Sewing Machine...he was surprised that we knew of it ! He finished the show with Medical Career, but then he did an encore...three of the answering machine songs Sugar Boogers, Dahmers Song and Super Taco Dilemma, then for his finale he did Sewing Machine....it was incredible and better than any version I have seen him do anywhere else...he was so animated. After the show he spoke to everyone and thanked them for being at the show. Mark then mentioned he was having trouble with one of Steves licks, well Steve grabbed his guitar demonstrated the lick, then gave Mark his guitar to play on for a while .....Can you believe it!! Anyway what a night, apparently Steve and Milan were going to the Red Star Cafe in Hepburn for breakfast the next day and all were invited I think ;-). However Mark and I did not make it :-( . I guess we will have to wait till next time!! Steve has a genuine love of people and music and this is what makes him a such great entertainer. If you get the chance to see Steve in a small intimate setting you will be blown away!!
Regards Geoff B