Highlights from my week
On my birthday last week Jac took me out to breakfast and then drove me to work. We went to Kettle Cafe in Lathlain.
At work, my team mates organised a birthday morning tea for me, which was a lovely surprise. We grazed on the leftovers throughout the day. Overall, it was a busy but not too bad day, thank goodness.
Jac and I had talked about going out to dinner on my birthday night – my choice, of course. I had a short-list of maybes, but in the end, didn’t feel like sitting through the formality of restaurant service. I chose casual dining and comfort food at PappaRich.
Wednesday night we had dinner in the city before heading over to Perth Arena to see the Dixie Chicks. We saw them the last time they came to Perth, back in 2006. We sat outside on the balcony at Sassella’s Bar & Bistro, looking out onto Murray Street mall. At Sassella’s it’s table service for drinks, but you place your order with the chef at the kitchen and pick up the food yourself from the pass when it’s ready. The food’s nothing fancy, but it’s a decent feed. On Wednesday night the place was empty, so we didn’t need a reservation – and service was fast.
The Dixie Chicks were fantastic. I loved the use of graphics / animation on the big screen in the background. Just like in 2006, I was awestruck by the musicianship of Emily, Martie and the backing band.
I used my phone camera to take some pictures during the concert. They’re not the best, but good enough for mementos of the night.
Warning: a grumpy old fogey’s comments…
I don’t get the need for a support act – it just drags out the night unnecessarily, which is just a killer on a midweek night for the people who can’t take the next day off work. The doors opened at 7pm, the support act (Avalanche City, not their fault, but I had zero interest) was onstage from 7.30pm to 8.15pm, then change-over took another half hour, with the Dixie Chicks scheduled to hit the stage at 8.45pm. Frankly, I’d rather not pay for / waste time on a support act I have no interest in seeing. (Support act as opposed to a double-billed / multiple-billed show)
There should be separate sections for people who want to stand up and/or dance, and for people who are happy to stay seated. The conflicting expectations and different ways in which people want to experience/enjoy a concert really don’t work so well when they’re all mixed together out in the middle of the floor.
I also hate the concept of the encore. It’s a meaningless ritual that I wish we didn’t have to go through. Like the support act. Just play the set. The end.
Those gripes aside, I really enjoyed the Dixie Chicks. I just hope it won’t take another 10+ years to see them here again.
Finally, the playlist:
DCX MMXVII, Perth Arena, 5 April 2017
Started 8.53pm
Taking the long way
Lubbock or leave it
Truth No.2
Easy silence
Some days you gotta dance
Long time gone
Something in the air (Thunderclap Newman)
Top of the world
Goodbye Earl
Travelling soldier
Florida (Patty Griffin*)
Daddy lessons (Beyoncé)
White trash wedding
Bluegrass medley (instrumental)
Ready to run
Mississippi
Landslide
Cowboy take me away
Wide open spaces
Sin wagon
Encore:
Not ready to make nice
Better way (Ben Harper)
Finished 10.55pm
*Note: Truth No.2 and Top of the World are also Patty Griffin songs that have been on Dixie Chicks albums. Florida, however, has not been featured on a Dixie Chicks album to date.
This morning (Sunday), we packed a picnic and went to Point Walter in Bicton. It was such a gorgeous day to be outside for a picnic brunch and Pokemon walk.
The week’s highlights
Kettle Cafe
23 Lathlain Place, Lathlain
(Terrific cafe, terrible website)
We’re regulars at PappaRich in Westfield Carousel. They’re also in Northbridge, Cockburn and Joondalup.
Sassella’s Bar & Bistro
Carillon City Arcade Upper Level, 207 Murray Street, Perth
I’ve blogged about family get-togethers at Point Walter before:
Bacon and egg brunch
Family Christmas 2012
Have a good week, everyone!