Smiths Alternative Bookshop on Alinga St in Civic is about as intimate as a music venue can get.
For last night’s show it worked beautifully.
Fans moved the hot summer air around the pillars, cold cold Coopers Pale went for $6 a bottle, and people walking down the street heard the music and just came on in. My personal favourite was a family of Chinese tourists who gawked for five minutes and took photos on their phones of the strange acoustic music.
All the bands last night played without amplification, and for three hours of music for a donation, no matter how it’s phrased, you can’t beat it for value.
There’s something about the hushed expectation of all the books lining the walls which really brings a special quality to proceedings.
If you couldn’t make it last night at least enjoy the slideshow.