Pittwater Life January 2024 Issue

Why Avalon gets top billing
You may not have heard of Claire
Morris, but she’s perhaps the
most important person in music
on the peninsula, and the
reason Avalon RSL has
become the number one
music venue.
When Narrabeen RSL
closed, Claire was its Events
Manager; suddenly she had
11 great acts lined up for
the Northern Beaches – and
nowhere for them to play.
“I was in total despair,” remembers
Claire. “I cold-called
Avalon RSL and they jumped
at it. They took on almost all
11 shows in one hit. I’m so grateful to
Cristo and the board of directors.
“It’s not easy to put on live music – it’s
expensive and you need resources to do
it. On top of that, getting an RSL to put
on a band like The Exploited [hard-core
working class Scottish punk band] with
open arms is a testament to them.
“Avalon RSL is now once again established
as a touring artist venue, like it
was in the ’80s/’90s.”
It certainly is, with The Exploited,
You Am I, and The Whitlams just a few
bands to have played recently.
As Events and Entertainment Manager
and Artist Liaison, Claire plays a
massive part in that. Most of her days
are spent talking to booking agents,
discussing ideas, sorting social media,
checking ticket sales and keeping
things on track. Then at the weekend
it’s working with the production guys
and bands to make sure it all happens.
“My biggest aim is that everyone
leaves with a smile on their face,” says
Claire. “That the audience are happy,
the venue is happy, and the band are
happy they’ve come out to Avalon.”
Apart from one gig where a power
outage saw the show cancelled (“… he
‘GIG’ ECONOMY: Skunkhour playing the Avalon Beach RSL; and events manager Claire.
still played a couple of acoustic numbers,
but legally we weren’t allowed to
continue”), the only tough part of the
job is Monday when it’s all over.
“When your adrenalin runs out and
there’s no show, it’s really hard. You’re
looking for that feeling again and trying
to find purpose in ordinary life!”
Clearly it’s in the blood.
“Yeah, my dad had a hotel and I’ve
always loved live music. I’ve worked in
venues for over 30 years now.
“And I love that we have such a
fan base on the Northern Beaches – a
strong and established audience.
Agents and artists know that they have
an audience [here] and that the venue
will look after them.
“I also love that we have a solid punk
crowd. The Exploited and local band
RUST showed that recently at Avalon
RSL. Everyone thinks we’re swanning
around in linen on the peninsula! But
this punk scene is going on amongst a
conservative environment.”
Claire says the days of excessive
‘riders’ (requests) backstage are over –
especially at Avalon RSL – but admits
that she’s witnessed some in her time.
However, what goes on tour, stays on
tour.
“If they ask for something cheeky
these days, it’ll be tongue-in-cheek. One
band wanted a souvenir, so we gave
them Avalon RSL lighters and t-shirts.”
If it sounds a fun job and a fun life,
well, it is.
“The best part is you get to fill a
room with people who might not have
anything in common other than that
they love the same song or band,”
Claire said.
“Nowhere else that’s available. Maybe
in church. But these people come
together just because of passion for a
song or album.
“I don’t think anything is better than
that professionally.”
Bands coming to Avalon RSL early
in 2024 include Adam Newling, Alex
Lloyd, Ash Grunwald, Sons of the East
(sold out), Tijuana Cartel and Jason
Singh. With a few other surprises to be
announced soon.
And if Claire could get one act to
Avalon RSL?
“Iggy Pop. I once drove 1800 kilometres
to see Iggy.”
– Rob Pegley
News
The Local Voice Since 1991
JANUARY 2024 17