Tim Finn opens the Jägermeister Hunting Lodge for Sydney Festival 2012

On Tuesday night, Sydney Festival opened the Jägermeister Hunting Lodge, located in the Honda Festival Garden in Hyde Park, just next to The Famous Spiegeltent, with a VIP party which featured a 45-minute set by legendary singer/songwriter Tim Finn (above). 

The rustic and enchanting pop-up venue is made entirely of logs, complete with a wooden deck, timber floor, stone fireplace and 12-metre-long bar and, between now and the 29th January 2012, the semi-permanent space will be home to a series of intimate secret shows and off-mainstage surprises from Sydney Festival music headliners, as well as one-off performances from Australian and New Zealand musicians including Josh Pyke, Emma Louise, Brous and many more.

Tuesday's VIP shindig saw Tim Finn (above) perform an eclectic 45-minute set which included his solo work as well as Crowded House and Split Enz stuff. Brown-suited, sweating under the lights, stomping around the stage and supported by a full band, his set was deliciously upbeat and - of course - ended with a singalong of the classic Weather With You. Well, you don't have the career that Finn has had without knowing how to please a crowd.

Pre and post show, the glitterati of the local music scene - including members of Cameras, Holy Soul and The Preachers - enjoyed Jägermeister cocktails in the cool evening air in the gardens outside the lodge. It was a lovely occasion, and typical of the kind of relaxed-yet-inventive offbeat charm that the Sydney Festival has always offered. If you want to head along to the Hunting Lodge for any of the amazing free events that they are putting on (like, ooh, I don't know, an exclusive DJ set from NICK ZINNER! This Saturday at 11pm), then ticket registration is required, full details of which can be found at: www.facebook.com/jagermeisterAustralia.

Words by Bobby Townsend. Photos by Eliza Sys (except for fireplace photo, courtesy of Jagermeister Australia)

Getting To Know... Gary Page

In the latest in the Getting To Know... series, singer/songwriter Gary Page emerges from the back of a tour bus to talk about making music using a hatstand and about how his life resembles Summer Heights High:

I would describe my music as simple but effective verse/chorus/verse/chorus/bridge/chorus with a tune you can hum. The intention is to try and express myself positively without sounding like a happy clapper.

Music makes me feel like a human being. There's nothing better than writing a song and then someone will have a connection with it, even if it's just a handful of people it makes me smile.
There's also nothing better than discovering a band and finding yourself compelled to buy their entire back catologue.

As well as being a solo artist, I play in David Ford's big band. I have, in my time, played percussion on a hatstand, a suitcase and a metal clanger as well as your more conventional percussion, guitar, keyboard, bass and mandolin. Whatever he asks me to do, within reason, I'll do it as I'm up for a challenge.

Touring is a bubble. I've been lucky to tour with people I love but I can imagine if you're stuck with people you don't get on with it could be hell. I've been to some of the most exciting cities in the UK and Ireland but only experienced it in the back of a van and a small venue. There's nothing better though than seeing smiling faces after a gig and feeling like you've been a part of it. I've also met some wonderful people and sometimes they invite you back to a random house party in Galway, Ireland! The first few days back home are truly awful but you quickly adjust back to life.

If I could only listen to three albums for the rest of my life, they would be:

Radiator - Super Furry Animals
Together Alone - Crowded House
Afraid of Sunlight - Marillion

Certainly not the coolest albums you're likely to own but they have a special place in my heart.

Aside from music, I work in an Inclusion Department (think Gumnut College in Summer Heights High and you get the idea) of a college in Sussex, England. Some of the kids I work with have troubles that make school work seem insignificant. It's rewarding though. In my short time there I have supported an autistic lad who has gone on to receive an outstanding achievement award and I've helped make a cracking rasberry cheescake with a partially sighted child who's an amazing kid. If you knew what he goes through day to day you'd never complain about your life.

To listen to some of Gary's charming music, visit his Myspace page.