It was a hot night outside and an even hotter one inside Thebarton Theatre – no air conditioning and a couple of ceiling fans doing not much.

I saw a friend before the show started and we’d both been to a previous show of hers at Thebarton when PJ wore a yellow dress. Neither of us could remember how long ago that was but maybe pre-kids, so some time ago. Both of us were very excited to get another PJ fix.

I hoped she’d do some songs I know from my favourite album of hers ‘Stories of the City, Stories of the Sea’ – but not one did she do and in the end I didn’t care.

She came out on stage with her 9-piece band. They all stood in a row and did ‘Chain of Keys’ from the Hope Six Demolition Project album (her latest). I was sold.

For me having seen her however long ago it was, it was quite different but spectacular nonetheless. The hour and a half they performed went far too quickly and before I knew it they were off stage before coming back on to do 2 more songs.

Last time I saw her in her yellow dress it was great, but quite different. She played the guitar and had nowhere near the 9 band members she had this time. This time she played the saxophone for some songs and made holding a saxophone between songs look really cool. She held it alongside and upwards as if it was a talisman she was showing off.

A friend later thought that she was a bit aloof on stage. She may have appeared that way but it wasn’t just a woman with a band singing some songs. It was a show. A show that has stuck in my mind nearly a week later. I think that was how it was supposed to be.

We walked out of the theatre and it had been raining. Actually it had been quite stormy and we were completely oblivious of what was happening outside. We had experienced our very own perfect storm.

I went with my sister and while I knew a couple of other people that were going I bumped into a school mum. She said I won’t tell anyone if you don’t. I said, shout it from the rooftops. Who cares, I said. I also bumped into JJ’s baseball coach and his excuse was that his friend bought the tickets. So is a bit daggy to see Boney M? Who cares? The last band I saw at The Gov was The Scientists – poles apart from Boney M. I’ve got broad music taste!

I checked out the crowd. I felt quite young in comparison. A couple, probably in their 80s, were sitting near the courtyard door, walking sticks propped next to their chairs. There were some people in their 20s – there with their parents maybe? But mainly the crowd was in their 40s and 50s.

About 20 minutes before the band started we moved towards the front of the stage and took the stance. My stance is I take up as much room as I can so that the inevitable crush impact is lessened. I don’t think it works but it makes me feel like I’m doing something to give myself a bit of dancing room.

Five minutes before the band starts the people who were too slack to get there earlier move in and take up those spare places. One minute before the band starts more people – the loud one – and the one with the big handbag – come and stand near you. That handbag ended up on the floor by the end of the show because I kept bumping into it. Tip for the women. Leave your big handbag at home when you go out to a venue that will be crowded. Put the essentials in a smaller bag that you can sling over your shoulder. Much easier to handle and not as likely to piss people off.

But the band starts and it doesn’t matter so much any more. I always seem to get stuck behind someone that bit taller than me who obstructs my view a bit.

Last night I saw Boney M. I grew up on a bit of a Boney M diet. Both mum and nana were fans and every Christmas that we spent at nana’s place we listened to the Boney M Christmas album. I didn’t invite mum along because there’s no way she could have stood for over an hour watching them and the seating space was limited and with it a limited view.

In year 8, my dance group did a performance to Rasputin at the high school concert. I wore a black leotard and black tights. The next day when I went to school some bright spark – Shane, it was you – called me spider legs. My legs were much skinnier then.

The Boney M band came on stage, then the singers came on stage. I thought they all looked too young to be original members and as it turns out there’s only one original member left. But they did all the songs we know and love, ending with Rasputin and Rivers of Babylon which they dragged out for ages while the audience participated because of course we all knew the words.

It was all finished by 10.30 and as we had a last drink, one woman lamented that it had finished so early she needn’t have taken the day off. I wonder if they were catering to the older crowd?

Do you remember Boney M?

I’ve been doing singing lessons again. I used to do them in the late 90s and then stopped and thought I’d probably not do them again because I already had spent two years paying for lessons.

Since then I’ve been singing in choirs and doing a semi-organised thing with friends and more recently The Surfer, a friend of his and I have made a little band – two guitarists and me, the vocalist and occasional ukulele player.

I’ve got a reasonable voice but thought I could do with some polishing. Add that desire, and the location of the nearby music school it was a no-brainer to go and try it out.

So I’ve been going for about three terms now. My singing teacher is young enough to be my child but she knows her stuff and she likes similar types of music to me so we get on quite well. My last singing teacher kept bringing up artists that I’d never heard of or couldn’t stand – mostly the latter so it was a bit of a struggle to find common ground with song choices.

However, I need to practise during the week. This time round we don’t tape my lessons. Last time I used to tape the lessons and listen to it during the week while driving to work so I’d practise then.

I’ve put the songs I’m singing, or have sung onto a playlist on my iPhone and while I’m washing the dishes or preparing dinner I put that playlist on and practise. It’s a good way to not have the words with you although sometimes I need to momentarily stop cutting up onion and get out the words so I actually know what to sing.

I’ve also bought a contraption for my aging car so I can listen to the music, and practise, in there as well.

I should probably practise more but I figure I’m doing what I can.

Thursday morning I left the house after a fraught morning trying to get organised and get out of it. I waved my son off to school and realised I’d left my phone behind.

While on the way back to get it, a friend drove past my house and ended up giving me a lift into work. Yay! On the way there I told her that I had a childfree night the next evening and she said if you’re not doing anything we’re going to see Barry Adamson.

Barry Adamson I said? I know who he is, I’ve got one of his cd’s. I’d love to go. So I booked tickets.

He played at the Promethean on Grote Street in Adelaide, a fantastic little venue and I loved that an artist I admire was sneaking into town and that by the vaguest chance, I’d found out and was able to go. How’s that?

After working for most of the week I was pretty tired but found my second wind to absolutely enjoy the show.

I had a pretty good view even though I was up the back near the mixing desk. He mostly played songs from his new album which I thoroughly enjoyed.

I love that feeling when you’re out and about seeing a band that’s fabulous. I used to do it all the time, go and see live music that is. Back in my 20s I was out at least two nights of the week seeing local acts. That doesn’t happen any more and I couldn’t even tell you the names of many local bands. Turn back 20 years and I’m on it though. Oh well, times and priorities change.

So when I do get out to see something like this it’s all the more enjoyable. It was great to have some good friends there too.

Towards the end I turned around and Tex Perkins was sitting up the back. He was doing his Man in Black show down the road and popped into see Barry Adamson after that. I tried to get a sneaky photo of him but that didn’t work.

After the show finished I bought the new CD and got my photo taken. Is Barry rolling his eyes?

Do you enjoy live music?