There's no shortage of music on the Port side.
For the past few years, during New Zealand Music Month, music lovers from Port Chalmers haven’t had to go far to be entertained. Over the years numerous local bands have donated their time free of charge to provide a good time for anyone who could prise themselves away from the fire and/or television and amble down to the Port Chalmers Library’s Rolfe Room for an hour or so.
Port Chalmers has long been known as a place where many great bands originated. As far back as the late eighties when Flying Nun bands such as The 3Ds, The Clean, Straitjacket Fits and Snapper were already wooing crowds at Sammys, Port Chalmers was the town of choice for many musicians. Those were the days pubs like The Oriental and The Cook would be jam-packed with revelers out to be entertained. There was a lot of dancing.
Whether it was the cheaper housing, the beauty of the surroundings or the fact that others of a similar ilk were there, Port Chalmers became a place that creative people were drawn to.
Some years later, in 2008, Port Chalmers’ Chick’s Hotel became a very popular music venue. The acts were many and varied, local and international: Grant Hart (from Husker Du), The Eastern, Delgirl, The Bats, Sam Hunt with David Kilgour and the Heavy Eights, Marlon Williams, Delaney Davidson, Jay Clarkson, and Dark Beaks played there as well as many more, too numerous to mention. People from all over Dunedin would come in droves: the cover charge was never exorbitant, the quality of music usually excellent. It was a sad day when ‘Chick’s’ closed in 2016.
A lot has changed over the years for the once sleepy town of Port Chalmers. The Port has expanded, there are several great cafes and restaurants and the Library now offers free wi-fi. What hasn’t changed is its popularity as a home for many creative artists and musicians. Many of these have performed at Port Chalmers restaurant The Galley which has become a popular destination for music lovers. There you could see a different musical act each week, before the Lock Down of course. Port Chalmers is a diverse community. This has been reflected in the range of performances that have been seen there.
The fact that everyone is living in isolation hasn’t stopped the creative process and one can often hear twangs of electric guitars or the thud of drums emanating from homes and garages when strolling around the neighbourhood.
Well known opera singer Lois Johnston has made her home in the area and Nadia Reid, who spent her childhood living in Port performs an annual Christmas concert in the beautiful Port Chalmers Town Hall. These women have both been among the world’s many musicians who have been providing great entertainment online in recent weeks.
Even though we will miss the live shows this year it is great that New Zealand Month continues with an online presence. Port Chalmers musicians will be well represented in the line up and people won’t even have to leave the comfort of their homes to enjoy their offerings.
To whet your appetite, enjoy this clip of Port Chalmers band Seafog playing at the Nook and Cranny Music Festival in 2016.