You can tell you've reached a certain age when you appreciate a chair at a gig. I know, it's sad. But I spent many a night on tortured feet sitting through some interminably self-thrilled support band go way past their allotted 30 minutes of fame, so I've paid my dues. I've earned seeing fabulous music in a place where you can sit down.
The Clarendon is a haven for music lovers west of, well, Circular Quay, and the range of musos they get to grace the tiny stage is impressive. Many only play The Basement and here, and a couple of nights a week you could show up and see blues, jazz, indie, world or a well-loved local take the spotlight. Bigger names can sell out fast, so buy tickets early if you're at all organised, and most of the time you can eat in as well. Never done so myself, but have had the odd glass in the cocktail lounge by the log fires. And you can always stay the night, of course.
The walls of the small theatre are painted with wonderfully twee opera-audience scenes, all red curtains, and the overall vibe is relaxed and comfy. I've seen Irish bands, Tartar songstresses sing in Russian, wept at upclose indie icons and come away with blues-induced tinnitus which left me grinning stupidly for days. A happy place, much loved. read more