Whatever the case, I’m so glad I caught the show. Perhaps the lads are simply enjoying playing a bit more now they’re not touring as relentlessly as they used to.

Rai told us how much he loves Lizotte’s, so maybe the joy that comes from playing a favourite venue played a part. A killer set takes you a long way towards a great show. I joked to my husband as we left that it’s almost as if the band had intel on exactly what he’d want to hear. Thirsty Merc delivered hits like “In the Summertime” and “20 Good Reasons” with just as much gusto as the more obscure numbers. Not that there wasn’t anything for casual radio fans though. A slowed-down version of “My Completeness” revealed the tenderness of the lyrics. A crowd request for “Tommy and Krista” was another highlight. Another favourite we never expect to hear, “Build A Bridge” was delivered with such passion. “Undivided Love,” a personal favourite my husband and I can’t remember hearing live, came out early. What a treat it was for long-time fans like me. I might not have used my voice much during Owen Campbell’s set, but I made up for it during Thirsty Merc’s. Either that or they were just too busy filling their face with some of Lizotte’s legendary food. I think most of us were as transfixed as I was on his set. As I listened to Owen play I noticed there was none of the murmur that normally hums in a room while support acts play.

While the originals slayed, a cover of Van Morrison’s “Crazy Love” was a real highlight for those of us in the know.

Originals made up the bulk of his set, but they were so good that it didn’t matter that we couldn’t sing along. Brian Lizotte had given him a big wrap before he stepped out, and he certainly lived up to that hype. Owen Campbell warmed up the stage, delivering a stellar set of swampy blues. I’ve seen them countless times over the last 14 years, but I think last Friday’s show at Lizotte’s might just be the best. I became an instant Thirsty Merc fan though. Incidentally Maroon 5 were bland, failing to excite me the way their debut album Songs About Jane did. I first saw Thirsty Merc way back in 2004, when they supported Maroon 5 at the Gaelic Club.

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