Review: TRAVELLER - A Tribute to the Music of Chris Stapleton
LIVE Debut @ George IV Inn - Picton, NSW
Saturday 16th November 2024
Written by: Jimmy Wah
Edited by: RA
Photographer: RA
George IV Inn – a landmark establishment in the picturesque town of Picton, NSW, is one of Australia’s oldest surviving pubs. Home to great food, live entertainment, and the perfect place to kick back and relax. Last Saturday night, the 24th, Picton locals and travellers from abroad had gathered for a night out to let their hair down at the end of the work week, and witness the debut of TRAVELLER – A Tribute to the Music of CHRIS STAPLETON. This landmark event would be the first of its kind, a show to recognise the vast catalogue of hits from the Kentucky born, Nashville based country music artist.
Travelling to the Inn for the first time, I could immediately see the stage set up from the curb before entering a side alley to a hidden carpark around the back. From there, we walked through the paved courtyard and undercover dining area, into the corridor leading to the bar area, and then out the front door which opened up to a huge, entertainment space. At one end were old wine barrels and wooden picnic table sets that were fully occupied, and at the other was a truck parked with a load carriage, revealing the stage. An hour early, it was already clear that a lot of work had gone into the production with lighting, rigging, instruments, amps and PA already set up, in and around the stage with a mixing desk and lighting board on a close by table.
By 6pm there was a buzz in the air as ticket holders who had come to see tonight’s show gathered in excited anticipation. At 6.45pm, Glenn Esmond took the to the stage for the first set of three for the evening. Many people reading this article would know another side of Glenn. An accomplished musician born and raised in Queensland, a long standing member of the music industry for decades, performing in an array of bands, running his solo shows and working behind the scenes at a grass roots level of the industry. Glenn is perhaps most well-known for being the bassist and backing vocalist in THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT; an alternative rock band that’s seen widespread international success since the early 2000s. For the past 13 years however, he has been living and working in Sydney as a professional writer and musician who performs in pubs, clubs and provides entertainment at private functions. He also provides a platform for other artists to succeed and still maintains a tour schedule with THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT (soon playing at this years Good Things Festival).
IMAGE: THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT - Enmore Theatre, SYDNEY
Most notably, today, Glenn is the mastermind behind TRAVELLER – A tribute to the Music of Chris Stapleton. An honour and nod to one of his favourite country style artists, and this evening, he is kicking things off, by starting out with a solo cover set to warm the crowd up for what’s to come.
Casually walking on the stage with an acoustic guitar and surf cap, Glenn looked right at home, playing well known hit songs like ‘Islands in the Stream’ and ‘Take Me Home, Country Road’ with a technical proficiency and vocal mastery that sounds second nature. His relaxed stage presence and persona sets a vibe of chilled out evening drinks and banter, while the catchy tunes immediately gather attention from down the back at the tables, as people curiously draw closer to the stage. The audio and set selection was attuned for easy listening to a crowd of parents, children, friends and lovers, all ready to enjoy themselves in good company.
IMAGE: GLENN ESMOND
After reaching nearly an hour of playing solo, Glenn took a short break as the daylight grew dim. Then at around 8.15pm we saw a group of 6 musicians all dressed in black walking with swagger, in a line, from the bar to the stage. Each taking a position behind their respective instruments to showcase their musical prowess. This included Reno Torrisi on the drums, Tim Herbig on bass, Dave Kempton on guitar, Sam Boyd on the keys and vocalist Ally Friendship joining Glenn at the front of the stage.
IMAGE: GELNN ESMOND
IMAGE: ALLY FRIENDSHIP
These recognisable faces are the same line-up as the headline act for tonight, here to demonstrate their musical diversity and animate the crowd with a mix of popular tracks from the 70s, 80s and 90s. This high energy set instantly had people out of their seats to have a boogie in front of the stage. Ally is the frontwoman of The Australian Shania Twain Show in Sydney and you can definitely see why. Among songs like ‘Proud Mary’ by CREDENCE and ‘Sweet Home Alabama’ by LYNYRD SKYNYRD, they also played popular Shania tracks ‘You’re Still The One’ and ‘If You’re Not In It for Love’. The performance so far was pretty awesome and I was excited to see what they were going to do with Chris Stapleton’s catalogue.
IMAGE: (L-R) DAVE KEMPTON, GLENN ESMOND, RENO TORRISI, ALLY FRIENDSHIP, TIM HERBIG, SAM BOYD
After a shorter than expected set, the crowd was left wanting more…. and more was yet to come. By now the sun had set and the stage lights were on display for all to see. The fancy truck stage made the perfect setting for a country music show aptly named Traveller, and was now cloaked in darkness, leaving the stage as the center point for the final act of the night. The lights were glowing, the drinks were flowing and like moths to a flame, people were gathered around the stage to witness a country act unlike any other in Sydney.
IMAGE: GEORGE IV INN, TRUCK STAGE
Glenn entered the stage donning a cowboy hat and wearing a black collared shirt, Ally wearing similar black collard shirt but bedazzled with a pair of sparkly cowgirl boots. The boys were also freshened up and looking schmick. Glenn engaged the audience thanking them for being here and launched without hesitation straight into the show. Opening with ‘White Horse’ from Chris Stapleton’s latest album Higher released in 2023, there was an immediate feeling of home. Their display of joy performing together on stage was infectious and every tune they played sounded like the real deal.
IMAGE: TRAVELLER BAND ON STAGE
Watching Glenn and Ally working the stage together along with the other band members made for a perfect reproduction of Chris Stapleton’s live show. Dave flawlessly noodling on lead guitar while Sam on the keys added the all American ball-game feel, giving a nod to the traditional sound. Tim grooved along on the bass guitar with Reno at the back on drums, setting the pace with the rhythm of the beats and sweeps coming together to create the true old school country soul sound. It’s amazing how clear and vibrant everything sounded given the main road beside, and the challenges that would have been faced if the storm had come as predicted earlier. Those who came out to let loose that night were at the front of the stage with feathers in their hat, and boots ready for a shin dig.
TRAVELLER - BAND MEMBERS
IMAGE: ALLY FRIENDSHIP
IMAGE: GLENN ESMOND
IMAGE: DAVE KEMPTON
IMAGE: TIM HERBIG
IMAGE: SAM BOYD
IMAGE: RENO TORRISI
These newfound fans were treated to a lucky dip of songs covering all 5 of Chris Stapleton’s albums. From the Southern country drawl style song ‘Up To No Good Livin’, to the romantically slow duet ‘I Think I’m In Love With You’ and upbeat dance tracks like ‘Second One To Know’, there was something there for everyone to join in on the action. Passers by stopped to get a glimpse at the gate and families in the adjoining restaurant crept closer to listen in, while those in the crowd sung along, at the top of their lungs, the chorus lines of favourite songs and joyously dancing with the nearest or dearest. Nearing the end of the set, the band played the crowd favorite, ‘Tennessee Whiskey’, and boy!…it was worth it. The vocal gymnastics didn’t seem to touch the sides of Glenn’s vocal range and in beautiful harmonies of Ally by his side. It seemed so effortless. As warm and fuzzy as watching a sunset from a rocking chair on a Saturday evening. The band finished the set with ‘Traveller’, the title track from the 2015 album and catalyst for the name of the ensemble. Before it was time to leave and travel home, the night was capped off with one last round of drinks back inside at the bar until close.
IMAGE: GLENN ESMOND
Picton residents and those visiting were incredibly lucky to have the opportunity to witness the debut performance of TRAVELLER - A Tribute to the Music of CHRIS STAPLETON, the very first performance on the Australian circuit.. Anyone with a true appreciation for all things country music will not want to miss the talent displayed in this show that hits all the right notes. Thanks for an awesome time and cheers, see you at the next round!
Photographer: RA
