As part of The Southern Ocean Sea Band, Lockett and his friends were the first and last band on at the festival, and did it all while singing songs about the history of Port Fairy.
“It’s a pinnacle moment in my life,” he said after walking off stage on the Fiddler’s Green on Monday afternoon.
“The songs are about Port Fairy so to play them at the Folk Festival is an honour and privilege.”
Saturday night’s CD launch in the Shebeen was a high watermark for the band, but each of the band’s four gigs were special in their own way, Lockett said.
“It exceeded all expectations,” he said.
“To play with such an amazing bunch of beautiful people, who have been good friends for a long time … it was momentous. I’m lost for words.”
Lockett said the final gig on Monday afternoon was particularly powerful because he noticed a large number of Port Fairy residents in the crowd.
“I could see family and friends and local people watching,” he said.
“I got a bit emotional.”
The Southern Ocean Sea Band comprised Lockett, Gus Franklin, James Dyson, David Gibb, Gavin Franklin, Tim Conlan, Kate Gane, Lucinda Franklin, and Merran Moir.
Matt Neal wrote in the Warrnambool Standard on 3rd May 2017: -
Matt Neal wrote in the Warrnambool Standard 3rd May 2017: Southern Ocean Sea Band to tour south-west halls
A PORT Fairy band singing songs about Port Fairy’s history will take their tunes to town halls and community centres around the district. The Southern Ocean Sea Band, who opened and closed this year’s Folkie, released their album Blood & Bones & Fins & Glory last year. They will be performing songs from it at the Yambuk Hall on May 12, Byaduk Old Church Hall on May 13, Port Campbell Arts Centre on June 2, and St Brigid’s Hall in Crossley on June 3.The tour has been funded by Creative Victoria and each of the concerts has other events attached to them including a jumble sale at Crossley, a short film screening at Port Campbell, and a shanty workshop at Yambuk.
