BOO Seeka frontman Ben Gumbleton admits he held reservations about doing small shows during the coronavirus pandemic.
That was until he attended one of Thirsty Merc frontman Rai Thistlethwayte's shows last Saturday night at the Cambridge Hotel.
The gig changed Gumbleton's mindset completely. So much so his Newcastle electro-indie duo, which also features Michael May, are hoping to perform their own intimate Cambridge show to support their new single Days Get Better.
"I honestly can't give the Cambridge enough praise for how well organised it was, how safe I felt and what they're trying to do to keep music going in Newcastle," Gumbleton says. "To be honest, it 100 per cent changed our thoughts on what we wanted to do.
"It's something we're currently talking to the guys about maybe doing a stripped back show on acoustic guitar and pianos, which is something we haven't done before."
To be honest, it 100 per cent changed our thoughts on what we wanted to do.
Ben Gumbleton
Under current COVID-19 social distancing restrictions the Cambridge can host 100-capacity shows with all punters seated. Last month Sydney indie-pop hit-makers Lime Cordiale played eight sold-out shows at the venue and Grinspoon frontman Phil Jamieson performed two.
Newcastle acts dave the band (August 28), Kookshill (September 5) and Jones The Cat (September 18) are also gearing up to play all-age and over-18 shows at the venue.
Newcastle youth-based events organisation, The Y Project, will also host an all-ages night next Saturday, called Tracks #1. It'll feature high school bands Loons, Boycott and Mission: Banana.
Last week Wollongong rockers Hockey Dad named Boycott and Loons among their favourite triple j Unearthed bands of 2020 in Australia.
