Twilight at Taronga

Taronga Zoo might be all about the animals but each year the ‘Twilight at Taronga’ concert series gives Sydneysiders another reason to visit this local attraction. lastminute lovely Nicole checks it out.

There are a lot of things your parents teach you as a child. One area my Dad took particularly seriously was my musical education. I’m not talking about learning to play an instrument (although I did receive a keyboard one Christmas) or even singing lessons (I can’t hold a tune to save myself).

No, I’m referring to shaping my taste and knowledge of music. From Fleetwood Mac to Freddie Mercury, the Eagles to the Easybeats and the Rolling Stones to Roy Orbison, I’ve probably got more oldies on my iPod than the average Gen Y’er.

An education of the music of the 60’s and beyond isn’t complete without the Beatles. So when I heard tribute band extraordinaires ‘The Beatnix’ were to perform at Twilight at Taronga, it was only fitting I took Dad along with for a trip down memory lane.

Day tripper
One of the best parts about lastminute HQ being based in the Sydney CBD is you’re only a short walk away from soaking up the Harbour that tourists travel from the other side of the world to see. Yep, we’re a lucky bunch.

So among the crowds of fellow day trippers, we board the ferry at Circular Quay, en route to Mosman. We couldn’t ask for a better evening for it and the opportunity to see the Opera House from a different angle made it something new, even for us born and bred Sydneysiders.

A quick bus ride up to the Zoo’s main entry and a wander through the zoo grounds and we stake out a spot for the evening.

Hot tip: Get there early if you want to nab a spot towards the front to get your dance on.

On a balmy late summer’s evening, that Friday night feeling is in the air as fellow Beatles tragics tuck into their picnics as the sun goes down.

There are food options available (ranging from pulled pork rolls to cheeseburgers and fish and chips to steak sandwiches) but it seems bringing your own gourmet supplies is the favoured option among the crowd.

This year’s Twilight at Taronga program – which also featured tributes to the ABBA, Elton John, Michael Jackson and Frank Sinatra – is all about ‘Number One Albums’. The Beatles had 23 number one hit singles in Australia alone so there’s no chance of fillers, every song is sure to be a well known favourite.

Rock and Roll Music
Before we know it the sun is setting and the fab four take to the stage.

We’re treated to hits from the early days: ‘I Want to Hold Your Hand’, ‘A
Hard Day’s Night’ and ‘She Loves You’ amongst them.

Looking around at the crowd, there are teenagers, families with young kids, 30-something year-old couples and of course, a lot of baby boomers who were quite possibly there screaming their way through the Beatles 1964 visit to Australia.

As if any proof was needed of the influence of the Beatles, the whole crowd sings a long (almost) word perfect to each hit. Their music is truly timeless.

Doing justice to the songs of such an iconic band is no easy feat, but The Beatnix definitely know their stuff. They’ve toured internationally with their show, even performing for royalty in Brunei as well as private functions, including for a wedding anniversary in a family’s lounge room!

After a short intermission, the lads are back, this time kittled out in the legendary Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band outfits. The energy levels go up a few notches as ‘With a Little Help from my Friends’, ‘Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds’ and ‘Penny Lane’.

And for the encore? Crowd favourite ‘Hey Jude’ has arms swaying in unison as they sing along with their very best ‘Na na na na na ,na na na, hey jude…’.

The verdict
Twilight at Taronga is an iconic Sydney night out that locals and visitors alike should do at least once. Listening to hit songs under the stars with the city skyline is the perfect night out for young and old.

Nicole and her Dad attended as guests of Twilight at Taronga.