Jess McAvoy blows up the Grid

Robert Hoddle laid down something Melbournians ought to be very proud of; how good is it when you're standing at Southern Cross station and someone from say, Adelaide, stops and asks you where Elizabeth St is and you can do the whole, "Well, it goes: SpencerKingWilliamQueenElizabethSwanstonRussellExhibitionSpring." It's just neat.

The City of Melbourne is currently at pains to liven up Hoddle's Grid with some free musical acts. They're bloody good names, but the problem might be that the Grid ain't that neat on closer inspection. If that same interstate visitor asks you where the Shanghai Dumpling Restaurant is, or worse still Yu-Y, you have to make your way to the banks of the Yarra for some sand mapping.  Melbourne loves her alleyways, but sometimes things get lost.

The diminutive Jess McAvoy was somewhat lost in her Gig on the Grid performance for the Melbourne Music Festival. Did the City of Melbourne mean business when they positioned her in the forecourt of 120 Collins? It wasn't aided by the unseasonably cold LATE September evening either. Perhaps she was there for the corporate types as the lingered home from after work drinks? Didn't work. From what I could tell they'd all fastened their running shoes firmly to their hosed legs and were making for Parliament station much like ants for the Queen Bee.

As disappointing as it was to watch Jess's intended audience furtively glance her way before rushing home to the warmth, boy, it was a pleasure to sit there and listen to her (she's a songbird). She sang beautiful love songs and the mix was pretty good. It certainly took the edge off the glacial wind as it tunnelled past.

Jess plays again tonight between 7 and 8.  Not at 120 Collins, thank goodness. Now where is she playing...Cohen Place...pop down to the Yarra and I'll scratch something in the sand. Or check out the Melbourne Music website.

Jess sings The Sailor
Jess sings Dynamite