Eve Jeffery
What do you get when you put Melia Naughton, Jamie Birrell, a classic, anthemic pop/rock song from yesteryear and two hundred or so tiddly folk, together in a pub? Shire Choir!
Shire Choir started nine months ago in Bangalow and has expanded to Lismore at NORPA, and this week will appear at the Mullumbimby RSL. They will also be the closing session at the Byron Writers Festival in August.
Shire Choir is an audience-powered pop-up choir experience at live venues, festivals and events and it’s more fun than getting blindfolded at the polling booth.
Melia says the choir sing a huge variety of songs that people are familiar with while trying to span all decades. ‘Our arrangement of the song is always fun and original so even if you know the song, you’ll find a fresh part!’
Melia says they have had a fantastic response from the public. ‘People have been saying how much fun it is to sing with a group of people and that it’s good for the soul. One lady told us that it is the most soul-affirming thing she’s ever done. It’s a great way to see friends and feel connected.’
Previous songs for the choir have included Fall At Your Feet by Crowded House, Throw Your Arms Around Me by Hunters and Collectors, Sweet Dreams by the Eurythmics, Madonna’s Like A Prayer, Farnham’s You’re The Voice, Shiny Happy People by REM, Sweet Child Of Mine by Guns’n’Roses, songs by Simon and Garfunkel and more.
When Shire Choir comes to Club Mullum this week Melia says they have chosen a song that is uplifting and anthemic. ‘Shire Choir is not a political platform but we thought we’d sing something from an Australian group who are renowned for songs about this fine country, this land we stand on, (did I say Midnight Oil?) and sing something bold and strong and for our planet!’
Shire Choir starts at 7pm this Friday at Club Mullum. For more information, visit the Shire Choir Facebook page.
