By Jed Lanyon
On 21 March, local musician Jeff Jenkins was booked to play a gig at the Rochford Concert Lounge, but the Covid-19 pandemic had other plans and his gig, along with live music events across the country were cancelled.
Eight months on to the day, Mr Jenkins will return to the Rochford Concert Lounge in his first live show featuring fellow Healesville musicians Kim Farrell and David Johnstone on 21 November..
The Songwriters is two sets of favourite songwriter’s hits – think Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, Don McLean – plus some of Mr Jenkins’ own original music, including Dukes of Despair.
Mr Jenkins reflects on that first lost concert, followed by many more live music cancellations.
“IIt was scheduled to be March 21st, a big show by The Accelerators at the Concert Lounge. It had to be cancelled and that’s when shit started hitting the fan … That was the week where the pandemic started getting really serious.
“It looks like live music is creeping back, which is fantastic … I’ve put together a trio of guys I’ve worked with in the past and we’ve put together a show that has a little bit of everything for everybody.
CovidSafe event restrictions mean tickets are capped at just 70. Mr Jenkins said due to the Rochford Concert Lounge’s ability to open large windowed doors as well as the roof, it can be classified as an outdoor venue.
But despite this, there are still limitations on how many performers can come into the venue at one time.Mr Jenkins describing it as “impossible” to have five or six band members on stage while adhering to strict social distancing measures.
“We’re all looking forward to playing with our big noisy bands again and it’ll be great when that can kick on.”
For more information about the event, visit: https://www.rochfordwines.com.au/Rochford-Concert-Lounge-Shows
