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First Sunday Blues

PINT Club Mararra,  Sunday March 06, 2016 | By: Steve Habibi Kelk 

 

Darwin’s famous First Sunday Blues jam is on again this Sunday, 6th March at the PINT Club at Marrara.

The family-friendly, free gigs every first Sunday of the month have been a staple of the local live music scene for the last six years and are put on by local Darwin musos mostly to give up-and-coming artists a platform to gain experience performing in front of a live audience with minimal pressure. More established artists are available to mentor the ‘newbies’ and to jump in to accompany them to give them the full band experience. A house band is always on site to kick things off and to keep things rolling.

First Sunday Blues organiser and local musician Nick Hill told Foldback Magazine that the monthly jam started out of musicians involved in the local blues club at the time who were looking for something a bit different.

“We wanted a platform for everyone to get up and have a go, have a jam, somewhere for like-minded people to meet up and have a drink and get up an play with a proper PA system and sound technician and to have experienced people around them to help and encourage them.”

Nick went on to explain that the system on the day works like this: the staff – Nick (bass), Andrew ‘Legs’ Arthur (keys) Lash (sound tech) and other assorted musicians set up at the PINT Club early, with full PA, basic drums and amps provided. People are encouraged to bring their own instruments. A house band kicks things off and jammers put their names and instruments up on a whiteboard on a ‘first-come, first-served’ basis.  The jam directors do their level best to ensure everyone get a fair go on the day and musicians can find themselves playing with many different people over the course of the event. Whilst the house band receives payment, jammers do it for the love and a drink ticket when they come off stage.

Nick explained that it’s not just blues that can be played – most genres are catered for that will suit a family-friendly atmosphere and a laid-back Darwin crowd. More established artists sometimes use the day to meet up with old muso friends and make some noise on the stage, either as a band or individually, in a supportive and pressure-free environment. Some bands will have their first hit-out at First Sunday Blues as a yardstick for their performance. Whatever happens, the punters are supportive and many ready for a boogie on the dance floor…err dance grass (it is an outdoor gig and jammers play rain, hail or shine so be prepared). The PINT club puts on a good spread of food and if you like, you can listen to the music in the background while you have a beer and a game of pool and a flutter on the horses inside the premises. A safe children’s playground is also in the grounds.

So come along this Sunday afternoon to the PINT Club, 165 Abala Road, Marrara from 2.30 pm for First Sunday Blues.  Bring your family and your instruments if you play.

See: https://www.facebook.com/FirstSundayBlues/?fref=ts

 

 

 

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