If one is fortunate enough not to live in the windswept wastelands which girt the city then Canberra is an eminently pleasant place to live. But lacking in the real highlights of Australian coastal cities.
Except that is until summer rolls around and the Canberra Musician’s Club Backyard Backanalia’s get going.
The $50 to join the club is, for mine, pretty much justified by being able to take part in the magic and mayhem of these monthly events.
From early evening to 11pm a cavalcade of artists entertain the crowd in an inner north backyard under stars and trees. The drinks are BYO and sizzled sausages are provided.
Then, when the amps are turned off for noise reasons, the crowd draws in around the fire bin for a bit of a low volume sing a long.
Last night even featured a touring act in the form of Anarchist Duck (no relation to the website as far as I can tell).
If you like music, laughter, and sillyness under the stars then you’re really missing out if you haven’t joined up to get to these things.
[Disclaimer: RiotACT has a mutual sponsorship arrangement with the Canberra Musician's Club]
Slideshow below:
I think this Backanalia just past was one of the best one’s of recent times. Like the old days when they were well attended but not taking 600 payers through the door – well past overcrowding.
My highlight of the evening (although there were many) was Joe Oppenheimer’s last track. As the amps were cut at 11:00, he played his last track acoustic. The previously chatty masses were dead silent, broken only by the crackling of log-fires as he delivered the most sensitive and well crafted song that I have heard this year.
Were it not for the ‘Backy’ I would not have heard an amazing new original tune, from an artist I’ve not had the pleasure of seeing previously, accompanied by the perfect setting…
Big thanks to the CMC for their continued hospitality and generosity in providing a house to hold these events.
Sounds fun, but I’m sure glad I don’t live next door to any of these venues. Music with amps until 11, then accoustic music even later? I have young children I’m trying to get to sleep around 7:30, and with the warm weather the windows are wide open. It’s bad enough with the lighter evenings, I certainly don’t want a live concert in my neighbourhood.
A Backanal sounds way more kinky than a bacchanal. Be safe.
Typical NIMBY-ism.
I wish I DID live next door to one of the Backanalia venues…in fact I wish it could be held at my place…what are the general requirements for a venue? I live in a friendly little cul de sac…we’d love to have you
busgirl said :
Big backyard
Central location
tolerant neighbours
Willingness to have a whole heap of stuff in your backyard for a few days
email the following eddress and get in touch with El Presidente…
ourcmc [at] gmail.com