REVIEW: Thirsty Merc - The Depot on Beaumont

28/5/2014
REVIEW: Thirsty Merc | Newcastle Herald
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REVIEW: Thirsty Merc
By SIMON WALKER
May 9, 2014, 9 p.m.
WINNER: Fans couldn’t get enough of rock band Thirsty Merc.
Thirsty for more
THIRSTY MERC
The Depot on Beaumont
April 29
THE line-up for selfies with Thirsty Merc started before the popular rockers took
the stage, and it was going strong, long after the boys wrapped up as fans
clambered to party with the band.
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28/5/2014
REVIEW: Thirsty Merc | Newcastle Herald
It was the second instalment of The Depot’s expansion into intimate dinnerNews
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music shows, following the spectacular success of the Jon Stevens gig in
March.
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And it was clear the enthusiastic audience were thirsty for Merc too.
Featuring a pared back three-piece line-up of irrepressible frontman Rai
Thistlethwayte on keyboard, guitar and vocals, Phil Stack funkin’ it up on bass
and Matt Smith finessing his cherry red axe, the boys grooved through a feelgood set of hits that had the crowd crying out for more.
In a surprise move they kicked off with their signature hit In The Summertime,
before bopping through popular anthems like Wasting Time, DNA and Twenty
Good Reasons.
Thistlethwayte voiced enthusiastic praise for the new venue, which the owners
have spent a fortune transforming into a sophisticated three-tier music
amphitheatre, complete with multiple bars, big screens, pool tables and VIP
rooms.
The aim is to make it the number one music mecca in town.
The dinner-show formula has proved a winner, with both headline shows sold
out.
Ticket prices to these ‘‘headline’’ gigs include a two-course alternate menu and
drinks, which which seems to represent value to the punters because the place
was packed.
There was a real buzz in the room too, as 250 punters dined out on fine food and
some seriously good support sounds from local Matt Purcell.
Depot plans to run a similar major show once a month featuring big-name
Aussie artists.
At the same time they’ll still run local musos of a weekend and a blues night
each Wednesday.
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