Middle NZ: My Six60 concert that wasn't

The Six60 concert at the Tomoana Showgrounds in Hastings was a great success but Linda Hall's guests didn't hear a thing. Photo / File

What a day Saturday was.

The sun was shining, the wind had dropped and I had an exciting day planned in beautiful Hawke's Bay.

First it was off to high tea at Mangapapa Hotel with the school girls. One of them suggested a few months ago that we should go because they had heard how nice it was.

It was suggested that we all wore frocks — that did not go down so well with two of them.

In fact, one said she didn't own a frock and the other said the last time she wore one was to her daughter's wedding and it was presently tucked away in a dark corner of her wardrobe where it was going to stay.

We had lots of laughs and banter backwards and forwards in the days leading up to our outing.

There were warnings to behave, no loud raucous laughter, absolutely no cussing, after all "we are ladies".

Unfortunately one of the school girls had to cancel at the last minute so it was four of us that arrived at the gorgeous destination. Two in frocks, two not. — they did look lovely though. One even had lippy on.

We were seated in the dining room where there was another huge party of people. In fact the place was really busy. So good to see.

And the food — well it was just delicious. The servings were just the right size, not too big that you couldn't get through it all, but big enough to really taste all the flavours. Everything is made on site and we all thoroughly enjoyed it.

We had a stroll around the beautiful grounds before we left and one of the school girls said, "I was a little nervous about coming here. It's not really my style but that was awesome. Felt totally relaxed."

Then it was home to a very busy street. Road cones for miles and traffic control on each corner.

I live near the showgrounds and had invited family, and friends including the school girls to come for a barbecue tea. 'We will be able to hear Six60 from the backyard', I told them all.

So family and friends duly arrived throughout the late afternoon. There was lots of laughter, more food. I did manage to eat again.

At one point I remember thinking 'I don't hear any bands'. The support bands must be on by now. I could hear a little bit of thumping now and again but that was it.

Then it was after 9pm and I knew Six60 must be on stage. By now I had imagined we wouldn't be able to hear each other talk — but no — nothing.

My guests starting asking for their money back.

I was stunned. On Friday afternoon and earlier on Saturday I could hear them clear as a bell while they were doing sound checks.

Later when my sister got home — she lives near Havelock North — she thought someone was having a party in their house because the music was so loud. Should have come here, she said.

By all accounts the concert was a huge success.

We ended the night sitting on the porch out front watching all the people walk past, asking them if they enjoyed the concert. 'Awesome' was the word most of them used.

There were cars for miles but It actually didn't take that long before order was restored to Warwick Rd. What a night.