As I was about to jump in my car and head off into the night in my new Christmas playsuit (thanks, Mum!), and my 90s Doc Martens in tow, with the hair in a side plait trying to fight the god-awful heatwave, a car flicked its lights at me.

My man friend who I didn’t think could make it had surprised me, yay! While I usually just head off to gigs on my own, it’s always nice to have someone to stand with/wax lyrical to/dance around, etc.

Having previously promoted Mat McHugh’s show – and reminiscing over all the indi girls who would froth over him back in the day – and subsequently having Mat have a solid jeer over this with his social media following, I was hoping I hadn’t set him up for a seriously awkward moment, the poor man.

The indi girls still fanging for him

Surely he’s used to having the gal squad fanging for him after 20 years of touring and playing? Hi, it’s me, I’m the indi girl/gal squad.

Despite the embarrassment I had brewed up (why is it always meeeee?), I had never seen these guys play in their heyday (they were HUGE!), so with an extra spring in my step and sparkle in my eye, we set off to witness an old-school music fave.

In the early 2000s, Mat shot to fame sometime after a year in an Indian ashram, and some time spent busking in New York City subways.

He had the model good looks, and the style of music which was major at the time: a la Ben Harper, Xavier Rudd, John Butler, The Cat Empire, and all those rootsy, cool, chill boys we all loved.

My inner 20-something lights up

Seeing a band you were a huge fan of 20 years after the fact takes you straight back to those halcyon days. I was a mid-20s-something journalist making a name for herself in Brisbane newspapers, while moonlighting as a live music reviewer for street presses such as Rave Magazine and Time Off.

I had no worries and no kids. I had more time to make my stories kick-ass (some of the best I’ve written!), and life was just a one-way ticket to easy street.

The sounds of The Beautiful Girls was simply the perfect backdrop to those days gone by.

Ah, old Eumundi town is a beautiful thing

As we entered the newly renovated Imperial Hotel Eumundi I was in awe of her Queenslander charm, as she stood in all her glory. I still hadn’t seen this empress in her new clothes. And wow – what a treat!

The grand old lady, made even prettier by Comiskey Group behind Sandstone Point Hotel, looked simply spectacular.

I couldn’t help but think how lucky Eumundi residents are, living in the semi-rural Sunshine Coast hinterland with literally everything at their doorstep. Charming businesses stand tall in the main street – with that quintessential, yet perfectly gentrified, old-town charm.

And let’s not forget the world-famous Saturday markets this suburb is known for, and the pull this fine establishment has in bringing seriously good bands to the western (albeit, stunning) ‘burbs.

Pre-show entertainment

The gorgeous local songstress Alys Ffion was playing her acoustic guitar downstairs to a small crowd in the quaint beer garden, but we were heading upstairs to The Brewery for some Mat eye-candy (sorry Mat!), and those bass-heavy dub and soul rhythms we all know too well.

The Brewery is honestly a beautiful space. There’s pretty festoon lighting hanging across the rafters of an ample-sized, timber-floored hall. There’s a bar at the back, toilets at the front, and groovy surfy-come-hippy types floating around, with the occasional whiff of some low-key Mary Jane.

First up, Sunny Coast’s Asher Beau from Bearfoot warmed up the crowd with his fast-lipped reggae crooning, the perfect accompaniment to the balmy summer’s eve.

Asher is a cool, happy chap

We saw him later in the crowd and he’s a cool chap, happy to have a chat, as he mingled through the people, bringing the good vibes to the local punters.

Mat and his band came on and this sold-out show was hard to move around. Normally being a shortie, I can squish, side-ways slide, and weave my way up to the front without annoying too many people, but these girls were pretty staunch with manning their spots.

I got somewhere equating one row back, and if it wasn’t for my tall man friend who hung out at the back because (hello 6 foot 3!), I would have boogied the entire night right up the front with the sweaty girl pack.

Equipped with a trumpet and saxophone, some guitars and keys, Mat brought all the happies of yesteryear straight back, with songs “La Mar”, “Music”, “Blackbird”, and big crowd pleaser, “Periscopes”.

Mat’s live shows are super fun

Mat had previously told me his live shows were where the true magic happened so his new album, “Rumble Inna Jungle”, which he was promoting, is devoted to all his best live songs.

Donning a beanie and sunglasses, I did worry that Mat might have been a bit shy about my hype about his trojans of female fans coming not just to boogie, but to catch a glimpse of his pretty face. Again, whoopsies.

But this show was professional, with excellent musicianship, and purely delightful.

A jolly good dance party

I often ponder that it must be hard creating a live show for music that people normally swing in their hammocks to, but with the brass band, prime location, and pure joy emulating from doting fans, Mat was able to turn his sweet, simple songs into a jolly good dance party.

We made new friends, chatted with locals over bubbly drinks, boogied up a storm, soaked up the high-energy, and left skipping back to the car, ready to put that all-time, good vibe back out into our own little communities.

Spread the love! Cheers Mat!