Neil Mitchell is based in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia and is Head of Operation's for Blues & Roots Radio in the Southern Hemisphere. He presents the radio show, Here Comes The Rain on Blues & Roots Radio which evolved from The Scaussie Music Show.
Neil also hosts a popular podcast called Doon Under with well known Celtic Rocker William Hutton (Claymore).
Here Comes The Rain is available as a podcast on The Sound Cafe HERE
We asked Neil what his favourite musical memories were.
Simple Minds, Ibrox Stadium (home of Glasgow Rangers Football Club), Glasgow, Scotland, Sat June 7th, 1986 – Ticket cost 10.50 (pounds)
It was incredible to stand in the middle of the best stadium in Scotland (at the time) keenly awaiting my favourite band (they still are) but the line-up is the reason I chose this, In Tua Nua, Hipsway, The Waterboys, The Cult and obviously Simple Minds.
The Waterboys had just entered the charts with The Whole of the Moon. At the exact moment Mike Scott started the Piano intro to the song, the sun broke out from the clouds and remained for the rest of the daylight hours, they also played an incredible set, as did all the bands that day, a day I’ll never forget.
Photograph - The Waterboys Perform The Whole Of The Moon
The Bad Shepherds, The Caravan Club, Melbourne, Australia, Sunday 20th April 2014,
– Ticket cost $40
I had no idea who The Bad Shepherds were, but I did want to be in the same room as the legendary UK actor/comedian Adrian Edmondson. He sang and played the double mandolin, he was accompanied by one of the world’s best Uillean pipers, little did I know they would play all my favourite songs from the 70’s and 80’s (mostly Punk songs), this gig almost made my head fall off (in a good way).
Photograph - The Bad Shepherds
James, Melbourne, Australia 2016 – Ticket cost $80
This UK band has always been my favourite alongside Simple Minds, I have seen both many times. In a Twitter interaction with the James singer Tim Booth, I asked him why they had never been to Australia, he did respond stating that it was pencilled in a couple of times but never happened. I then started the hashtag #JamesInOz, it did get a lot of traction and the Band confirmed their first Australian tour in 2016 which was completely sold out. Was it because of me ? I doubt it, but I do like to think it was, they were incredible.
Photograph - James, Australian Tour
Status Quo, The Caid Hall, Dundee, Scotland, 1984 – Ticket cost 6 pounds
My First ever Gig, that’s why it’s worthy of a mention. It was called “The End of the Road Tour” little did I know I’d see them again in 2014 in Melbourne, so much for the end of the road, they were excellent in both 1984 and 2014, Rock on.
Photograph - Status Quo
Port Fairy Folk Festival, Port Fairy, Victoria, Australia - March every year
Thanks to Blues and Roots Radio (and the great people who run the Festival) I have been to this festival 6 times, and was fortunate enough to interview many of the artists that have appeared there (too many to mention) as well as presenting ‘Live” broadcasts from the festival. I will simply say this is the worlds best Festival and always will be, you will never convince me otherwise if you haven’t attended The Port Fairy Festival.
Photograph - Blues & Roots Radio at The Port Fairy Folk Festival