What a difference a good sound system makes at a venue … Having seen an almost identical show at the Thornbury Theatre two weeks ago the comparison to this one at the Caravan Club was astounding. At Caravan the sound is superior & the lighting subtle. Chris Stockley & his band (as the openers) were brilliant & with good sound we could hear the words in their songs & some of those words were hilarious.

Madder Lake with a crisp clear keyboard sound here were as brilliant as ever. Their music always makes me want to bop. But as Brenden Mason asked us – who were we there to see … Yip, at that show we were there for Mike Rudd who sang with the Madders late in their set.

The venue was more than full. Our table for 4 seated 7 at that show & in the audience there were key people from Mike’s 50 years with Spectrum like Kiwi producer Howard Gable who was the producer for albums like Spectrum Part One & Indelible Murtceps albums like Warts Up Your Nose.

After a short intermission the curtains opened to the sight of Spectrum & of Mike Rudd looking elated. This was the strongest delivery I have ever heard from them; Mike’s voice stunning with this sound system.

Brenden Mason (left) & Mike Rudd

We were treated to guitar duelling: Mike & Brenden Mason as we have come to expect. Mike took us through the Spectrum, Indelible Murtceps & Ariel era song books & played favourites like Worm Turning Blues. They played Lottery whose words Bill Putt’s partner found two weeks after he died. Mike wrote music for these & the band often play this song as a respectful nod to Bill. This clearly impressed someone in the audience near us.

Once they’d got to I’ll Be Gone we knew the show was almost over. Esmeralda once again had the last say … Such as great show. Such a great celebration of Spectrum’s remarkable 50 years.