Introducing Shane Kerr Live Music Theme Nights
After years of playing live gigs across pubs, clubs, private functions, weddings and community events, I’ve learned one thing pretty clearly:
People love live music, but venues also need something they can actually promote.
A poster that says “live music this Saturday” is fine, but a poster that says 80’s & 90’s Retro Night, Country Night, or Australian Music Night gives people a reason to pay attention, tag their friends, dust off an outfit and make a night of it.
So I’ve decided to introduce something new to my live music shows:
Shane Kerr Live Music Theme Nights
These are themed live music nights built around selected songs, lighting and presentation to suit a specific era or style.
The idea is simple. Instead of just turning up and playing a regular gig, I bring a themed show feel to the night. I’ll still be using my regular live setup with vocals, electric guitar, backing tracks, PA and lighting, but each theme will have its own look, feel and setlist.
I’ll also dress to suit the theme, because if we’re doing a theme night, we may as well commit to it. Nobody wants an 80’s night where the singer looks like he just popped in to pay a phone bill.
These nights are designed for venues, clubs, private functions and community events that want something a little different, something easy to advertise, and something that feels more like an event.
The available themes are:
60’s & 70’s Classics
80’s & 90’s Retro
2000’s Hits
Country Night
Australian Music Night
Let’s have a look at each one.
60’s & 70’s Classics
The 60’s and 70’s gave us some of the most recognisable songs ever written. Big melodies, great choruses, classic rock, pop favourites and songs that have lasted for decades.
This theme is perfect for venues wanting a warm, nostalgic night that suits a wide audience. It works especially well for clubs, dinner shows, private functions, community events and venues with audiences who love the songs they grew up with.
The feel of this night is classic, familiar and fun. Think warm lighting, retro colours, a bit of vintage flair and songs people know without needing to check the lyrics on their phone.
Although, let’s be honest, they’ll probably check their phone anyway.
This theme is great for:
Clubs and pubs
Community events
Dinner shows
Private functions
Retro nights
Older and mixed-age audiences
80’s & 90’s Retro
This is one of the big ones.
The 80’s and 90’s were full of huge choruses, guitar-driven songs, pop rock favourites, classic singalongs and music that still fills dance floors and beer gardens today.
This theme is perfect for venues wanting a fun retro night with a bit more energy. It gives people a strong reason to dress up, get a group together and come out for a night of songs they grew up with.
The 80’s side brings the colour, the big hooks and the flash. The 90’s side brings the guitars, the attitude and the singalong moments. Put them together and you get a night that works well for a wide crowd, especially people who still know exactly where they were when they first heard these songs.
Some of us also still remember having to tape songs off the radio. The struggle was real.
This theme is great for:
Retro nights
Pubs and clubs
Dress-up events
Birthday parties
Private functions
Mixed-age crowds
Venues wanting a strong promotional theme
2000’s Hits
The 2000’s theme is for venues and events wanting something a little more modern while still keeping the songs familiar and crowd-friendly.
This night has more of a modern pub-rock feel, with songs selected from the 2000’s that work well live and suit a fun night out. It is a good option for audiences who want something newer than the classic retro eras, but still want songs they know and can enjoy straight away.
The stage look for this one is cleaner and more modern, with cooler lighting and a stronger live-concert feel.
It is less “retro costume party” and more “remember when these songs were everywhere?” Which is slightly confronting when you realise the 2000’s are now old enough to be a theme night.
That hurt me too.
This theme is great for:
Pubs and clubs
Private functions
Birthday parties
Younger mixed crowds
Modern theme nights
Venues wanting familiar songs with a newer feel
Country Night
Country music works incredibly well in regional venues, and this theme is built around that strong connection between storytelling, melody and a live crowd.
Country Night features songs selected to suit a country and country rock feel, with a mix of heartfelt moments, familiar favourites and upbeat songs that suit pubs, clubs, race days, private functions and community events.
The stage look is warm, simple and rustic. Think amber lighting, country styling and a relaxed live music feel.
This is a great theme for venues that already have a country-loving audience, but it also works well for anyone wanting a fun, down-to-earth night with songs people can connect with.
Yes, I’ll dress for the theme. No, I’m not promising to ride a horse into the venue. That feels like a workplace health and safety issue.
This theme is great for:
Country clubs
Regional pubs
Race days
Community events
Private functions
Country-themed parties
Venues wanting a warm, familiar live music night
Australian Music Night
Australian Music Night is all about celebrating homegrown songs, pub classics and Aussie favourites.
This theme is ideal for Australia Day events, local celebrations, community functions, pubs, clubs and venues wanting a night with a strong Australian feel.
The idea is not to turn it into a novelty act. It’s more about celebrating the songs and artists that have been part of Australian pubs, parties, road trips, backyards and live music venues for years.
The stage look has more of an Aussie pub-rock feel, using red, white and blue lighting with a bit of green and gold where it suits. It is bold, familiar and proudly Australian without needing to go over the top.
There may be Aussie music. There may be singalongs. There may be someone in the crowd who suddenly believes they are the lead singer.
That is all part of the experience.
This theme is great for:
Australia Day events
Community events
Local celebrations
Pubs and clubs
Private functions
Regional venues
Aussie music nights
Why Theme Nights?
Theme nights give venues something stronger to promote.
Instead of advertising a standard live music night, the venue can promote a specific event with a clear identity. That makes it easier to create posters, social media posts, dress-up ideas and a bit of buzz around the night.
A theme night can help create:
A stronger event identity
Easier venue promotion
Dress-up opportunities
A clear reason for people to attend
More audience engagement
A fresh option for regular entertainment nights
A night that feels more like an event
For guests, dressing up can be part of the fun depending on how the venue advertises the night. Some venues may choose to encourage it, some may keep it casual, but either way the theme gives the night a direction.
For me, it is also a fun way to freshen up the live show and give each event its own personality.
Where These Theme Nights Work Best
These shows are suited to:
Pubs
Clubs
Private functions
Birthday parties
Community events
Australia Day events
Country nights
Retro nights
Regional venues
Themed entertainment nights
They are also a good option for venues that want to promote something a little more specific than “live music” without having to build a whole event from scratch.
Choose the theme, promote the night, encourage dress-ups if you want, and I’ll bring the songs, the gear, the lighting and the themed stage feel.
Book a Theme Night
Shane Kerr Live Music Theme Nights are now available for bookings.
Available themes:
60’s & 70’s Classics
80’s & 90’s Retro
2000’s Hits
Country Night
Australian Music Night
If you are a venue, club, event organiser or someone planning a private function, you can find out more and enquire here:
https://www.theshanekerr.com/theme-nights
Let’s turn your next live music booking into a proper event.