Review: Live at the Wawahine Lounge - Ruby Gilbert’s Got a Secret
Picture: Live at the Wawahine Lounge - Ruby Gilbert’s Got a Secret (credit: Creative Futures Photography)
The secret is out, with the preview of songs from Ruby Gilbert’s second EP played to a rapt audience at Brisbane’s Wawahine Lounge. It certainly sounds as if Ruby Gilbert has enjoyed working with ‘legendary producer Nash Chambers,’ for this latest EP. Joined by the talented Aaron Shanahan (bass guitar and backing vocals), Ruby Gilbert treated guests to a set list that included numbers from the first EP, some of the new songs, and even a Kylie Minogue cover (“Can’t Get You Out of My Head’).
‘Die Young’ was a great choice for the opening number. And then we were on a ride through some soft-rock-folk-country-styled songs of loss and heartbreak—often including some of the dreamy bass/electronica sensibility that Aaron Shanahan is well-known for. Personal highlights from the evening were ‘Karma’ (introduced as ‘getting myself back’), the poignant new ‘My Man Only Loves Me Sometimes’ (about a now fortunately ex boyfriend), ‘Slave’ (the trials of working in a job that you don’t like), and ‘Ghost’ (a beautiful piece about being forgotten by a former partner). But my three favourite numbers of the evening were Ruby Gilbert’s ‘Goodbye My Baby’ and ‘Don’t Wear Your Best Dress,’ and also the excellent encore cover of ‘Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down).’ Each of these numbers held the rapt attention of the audience—spellbound by Gilbert’s poetic song writing, and by this talented singer’s mellifluous and expressive voice.
Picture: Live at the Wawahine Lounge - Ruby Gilbert’s Got a Secret (credit: Creative Futures Photography)
Picture (L to R): Aaron Shanahan and Ruby Gilbert (credit: Creative Futures Photography)
Picture: Live at the Wawahine Lounge - Ruby Gilbert’s Got a Secret (credit: Creative Futures Photography)
The Wawahine Lounge was a great venue for an intimate concert with people who Ruby Gilbert described on the night as ’25 best friends.’ If you haven’t yet been to the Wawahine Lounge, then look out for future shows at this inner-south (Fairfield) tiny tiki bar, masquerading as a backyard shed that may just have had a former life as a garage. Under the guiding hand of Anje West and Kym Ambrose, this tiki bar is a hidden gem of a space for new artists to connect with new fans and ardent followers—which is a wonderful gift from the pioneers of Brazilian music in Australia (Anje and Kym are co-founders of the fabulous Brisbane-based group The View From Madeleine’s Couch). The Wawahine Lounge is also a great gift to the Brisbane music scene; as one fellow member of the audience remarked at the end of the evening, ‘I really must find more spaces like this to go to.’ Perhaps that’s why the 2023 Anywhere Festival program includes a number of music performances in anywhere but a traditional venue; it is always worth seeking out such special nooks and crannies.
Verdict: A memorable evening - and a great place to discover rising stars.
Picture: Anje West (R) introducing Ruby Gilbert (L) live at the Wawahine Lounge (credit: Creative Futures Photography)
Audience information: Live at the Wawahine Lounge: Ruby Gilbert’s Got a Secret, Fairfield, Brisbane. The Wawahine Lounge is an intimate undercover space, so I suggest dressing warmly and consider bringing a beverage of choice to enjoy pre- and post-show (doors open 30 mins before the show). Ample street parking. 80 minutes. No warnings, but I suggest suitable 12+.
The reviewer attended the 13 May 2023 performance (7pm).