Timber and Steel

Image Courtesy of Daniel Champagne

Daniel Champagne
11th May 2012, Camelot Lounge
Sydney

Last Friday as half of Sydney was making their way to Insert-Latest-Sponsor-Here Arena to see a little known artist named Prince I found myself in deepest darkest Marrickville to catch the local launch of Daniel Champagne’s latest EP Real Live. I’d been avoiding Marrickville’s Camelot Lounge out of a ridiculous prejudice – the fact that it is at least two forms of public transport from my house is my usual excuse not to make it down – but the combination of Champagne’s Sydney show and just getting over myself meant I found myself within it’s cozy, memorabilia clad walls.

When the unassuming Daniel Champagne stepped onto the stage I wasn’t sure the show had started. Crouching over his pedals and tapping lightly on the strings of his guitar I assumed Champagne was merely sound checking until his music began to build and he launched into a blistering Willie Dixon cover.

And this was exactly as the set continued – with Daniel Champagne’s unassuming stage presence giving way to his exceptional skill and showmanship on the guitar. His between-song banter was endearingly shy and self depricating, yet still imbued with enough charisma that I found myself on the edge of my seat hanging on his every softly spoken word. Yet this was juxtaposed with the way Champagne presented himself as a guitarist – strong, confident and completely owning the stage.

Working through his back catalogue including favourites from Real Live “The Nightingale”, “Losing Home”, “I Grew Up Where I Could See The Stars” and his cover of Don McLean’s “Vincent”, Daniel Champagne proved himself literate not just in the frantic, intricate guitar pieces that he’s most known for but also the sweet, softer songs that showcase his delicate side. He even commented during the evening that t was good to be playing his own show rather than a set festival spot or support slot (like his recent stints with Jimmy Barnes) allowed him more range and the ability to not just focus on the high energy songs in his repertoire.

Finishing up with the track “Pendulum”, also the final tune on Real Live, Daniel Champagne had the criminally small crowd in the palm of his hand. There’s a reason Champagne has an amazing reputation as a live performer. I’m so glad I bucked the trend and ignored the visiting superstar, as well as getting over my own only-going-to-local-gigs-boundaries and caught him in such a special and intimate venue. Do yourself a favour and go and see Daniel Champagne next time he hits your town.

The remaining list of dates on Daniel Champagne’s current tour are below:

Monday 14th May – The Espy St Kilda, VIC
Tuesday 15th May – Toff in Town Melbourne, VIC
Wednesday 16th May – Mojo’s Fremantle, WA
Friday 18th May – Ya Ya’s Perth, WA
Monday 21st May – The Espy St Kilda, VIC
Tuesday 22nd May – Toff in Town Melbourne, VIC
Thursday 24th May – Blues On Broad Beach Broad Beach, QLD
Friday 25th May – Blues On Broad Beach Broad Beach, QLD
Saturday 26th May – Blues On Broad Beach Broad Beach, QLD
Monday 27th May – The Espy St Kilda, VIC
Tuesday 28th May – Toff in Town St Kilda, VIC
Thursday 31st May – SOL Bar Maroochydore, QLD
Friday 1st June – The Sound Lounge Gold Coast, QLD
Sunday 3rd June – Harvest Café Byron Bay, NSW
Thursday 7th June – Yours and Owls Wollongong, NSW
Friday 8th June – Snowy Mountains Music Festival Perisher, NSW
Saturday 9th June – Snowy Mountains Music Festival Perisher, NSW
Thursday 14th June – The Front Canberra, ACT
Friday 15th June – The Front Canberra, ACT
Saturday 16th June – The Joynt Brisbane, QLD
Sunday 17th June – The Joynt Brisbane, QLD
Wednesday 20th June – Republic Bar Hobart, TAS
Thursday 21st June – Royal Oak Launceston, TAS
Friday 22nd June – Skwiz Café Sheffield, TAS
Saturday 23rd June – Caravan Music Club Melbourne, VIC