by Bonnie Collings
Despite the wet weather on evening of Friday September 8, the Algie Hall in Neerim South was packed full of fans and supporters attending the launch of Libby Willem's new album, "Goodside".
"Even though we had awful weather the Algie Hall was full to the brim," Libby said. "We had 134 attendees, I'm not sure I expected it to sell out!"
A wide variety of supporters attended the BYO album launch event both young and old.
"It was an all ages audience, from babies to seniors," Libby said. "It was beautiful to see the kids enjoying themselves and joining in in their own way, like making up dances together. Overall it was a really attentive crowd and a perfect night."
Taking an influence from the Gippsland environment when writing her songs, Libby hopes that the people in her audience felt a connection to her music.
"My job as an entertainer is to hold a mirror up to who we are," she said. "I hope people could hear themselves in my songs because the songs have grown out of the [West Gippsland] community."
Libby felt that the overall atmosphere on the night of her performance was wholesome and supportive.
"When I walked out of the hall at the end of the show, after sweeping up and helping pack everything away, the night just felt so wholesome," Libby said.
"The crowd that came were so supportive, the best of West Gippsland. It was wonderful for me as a performer an also wonderful for the community."
Libby said the highlight of her evening was the moment she realised she was headlining the show.
"Sitting side-stage and seeing my name and face up on the wall, I had to pinch myself, it was surreal," Libby said.
"I savoured that moment, it was just a thrill to do something I've never done before."
The Algie Hall in Neerim South provided Libby and her opening act Trev Dwyer and excellent stage for their live performances.
"The Algie Hall is a jewel in the crown of West Gippsland," Libby said. "It was the best place to share this album. The team at the hall did the best job, the lighting was magic and the sound was superb. I think it surprised people who had never been the the hall before, people should definitively come find out about this hidden gem."
After the success of her album launch, Libby wants to encourage her community to continue supporting their local artists.
"The event was a reflection of the potential that we have in West Gippsland," she said. "It's an invitation to support the people who put and and perform live music."
Libby is looking forward to performing live again in the future.
"I can picture myself doing this every year," she said. "I'm really excited to go back."