Hey all,
As Jason (nice to meet you at last btw, mate) has said, he, Music Addict (good to see you too buddy and for the record it was the head chef himself who prepared that salad for me at the Bristol) and I got together for karaoke Saturday night along with my friend Natalia who formerly represented the ACT in the 2004 national Wintersun comp which was how we met. She and her husband phoned to inform me about the Bristol karaoke not being on when they arrived and thanks to Jason and Music Addict, I knew to suggest Rag & Famish in North Sydney instead which was where we all wound up meeting.
Now, THAT like the Bristol was an Entain gig and despite Jason's not liking them, I DO! This host like that at the Bristol had personality and ran his show fine enough though I don't really know why there were a couple of breaks interspersed throughout and his mixing skills certainly need some work (my first song consisted of as much feedback hum as music, unfortunately, despite no foldback and the speakers being forward of the microphones. I suspect an extra microphone had been left on and was picking up all the sound, relaying it through the system again for that song. Not good. Rest of the time, I don't know what the problem was. The mixing wasn't consistently bad though by any means. My second song for example was mixed great as were many of the other patrons' songs. I don't know why here and at the Bristol Arms though, they don't show the words to the audience as I think that really helps get audiences interested in the performances. On the plus side though, without the words to watch, when they're impressed, they watch you the singer (instead of the words on screen), which is always nice (I feel).
The first break was explained as being necessary for some speeches being given at the 21st birthday celebration taking place upstairs but the other couple of breaks weren't explained so that'd be my only criticism.
When the birthday brigade came down for the last half hour or so of the show, they were all in high spirits, rather uninhibited and a good example of why pop stars need crowd control at their concerts as a few of this lot tried to get in on the karaoke action by joining in uninvited, grabbing at singers, knocking equipment over and one guy, annoyed at not being allowed to sing along with me, took off with one of the stage microphones (detaching it from its lead), which I alerted the host to with some improvised sign language mid song given the commotion. Had it been me hosting, I'm sure I'd NOT have been as cheerful in my approach to the crowd as this guy was (by a LONG shot) but he retrieved his microphone without fuss and the show continued without missing a beat and he and the crowd remained cheery - even AFTER the show - which I thought was quite the feat. So, yet again, I thought Entain delivered 'professional host'-wise. In his shoes, I'd have done something that would have gotten me fired for sure!
Anyway, another great venue, I thought. Not great talent wise - with a couple of exceptions - but the venue itself is comely, the crowd friendly, the bar service cool and despite the mixing woes and brief breaks taken, the karaoke for me, thanks to the host and atmosphere, was a fun time too. I didn't eat so I'll let Music Addict vouch for the cuisine. I'll definitely be visiting there again with hopefully a few friends in tow.
The eye candy factor was sadly scarce until the party crowd came down including one hottie of a barmaid I knew from the Chatswood RSL but the karaoke crowd was appreciative enough to make the night fun. Actually, the eye candy for the (straight) GUYS was scarce but Natalia liked a lot of the guys in attendance, so ladies, this could be the place for you - and if any of you rate as eye candy, the name's 'JOHNNY B.' Remember it! Heheheheh.
I recommend the Rag & Famish for a karaoke night out most assuredly.
Keep on keeping on y'all!
Submitted by Johnny B on 16-04-2006

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