February 2019 | Elizabeth Douglass

A BEAUTIFUL summer evening in Meander was the perfect place to enjoy the lively music of band Fru Skagerrak and soloist Liam Gerner.

One of the many wonderful Small Halls concerts, featuring one Australian and one international artist, the Meander Memorial Hall was packed out with an audience of all ages.

Sitting, hand-clapping, foot-stamping or dancing with children, the audience were all moved and delight ed by the traditional and not-so- music.

Adelaide boy Liam, now Melbourne-based and travelling the world, displayed his original songwriting and strong performing talents with just enough of a country twang to counterbalance the intricate and quirky music of Fru Skagerrak.

The latter, Anna Lindblad (Sweden), Elise Wessel Hildrum (Norway) and Maja Kjær Jacobsen (Denmark), play fiddles (violins), recorder and sing their way through lullabies, drinking songs and lively dances, a journey through the traditional music of Scandinavia with music and laughter a common language.

With food and drink catered for by the Meander Hall Committee and Arts Deloraine, the concert embodied the Festival of Small Halls spirit - ‘bringing big music to small places’, celebrating wonderful music and the hospitality of small communities.