Tributes flow for music legend, champion of the arts, Darryl Monteith

Gisborne is mourning. Who doesn’t know of Darryl Monteith, and/or of Smash Palace Bar?!
Tributes are flowing.. from Kirikiriroa-Hamilton, where he is from and well-known as a musician, and soon from around the motu, from Aussie, from the world, as Darryl’s peaceful fight has been to consistently put up music acts, live gigs at the venue he took charge of with his partner Kerry in 2015.
I’ve known him for a bit less than seven years.. Smash Palace and the Dome being my beacons of art and social times as a newcomer to Gisborne. I’ll never forget, and I have told the story a few times, of how timidly I walked in and how welcomed I felt as I opened that door in the summer of 2017-18 as a single female in a bar already busy with thirty or so men and their beers. Looks were heavy, more like surprised I reckon, at me and my city looks. Staff were awesome, smiling and friendly, and so was Darryl very soon. I never patronised any bar in my life before that - too busy working and doing things! But I did become a regular and joined Pub Choir which had just started with Carol, Maia, and probably a couple of others.. that Pub Choir which peaked at 60 members before Covid hit. Not long after, Build-a-Band emerged and I supported it weekly for a wee while - even hopped on stage and had a go at a conga once (I love dancing but hand drums often call me!). On the event side, Darryl got us some awesome gigs, bands and musicians over the years.. from metal to hip hop, rap, rock n roll, jazz, blues, punk, psychedelic, and song writers of all sorts.. some he would hunt, some national and local regulars, some who would contact him while they were in our neck of the woods, and some whom Smash had been recommended too. He sure can claim the highest number of young musos on stage, RockQuest included, as he was promoting emerging local talents so strongly, prompting anyone keen to have a go, empowering future artists. He hosted some folk dance events, Kelly’s Fire Tribe, and supported Janine’s Line Dancing venture big time. Smash is also a landmark in the social life of lots, for an after-work relaxing time, a fundraising event, or a 21st celebration. There are lots more aspects to Darryl’s contribution to Gisborne and its community, and I hope we’ll keep reading more tributes to him.
On another level, he more recently entrusted me with the care of Smash gardens and grounds, which I thoroughly enjoyed in addition to the pride of supporting him in his dreams.. opening Smash Palace to a variety of music genres, and to punters of all ages, genders, abilities, and ethnicities.. I’ll miss your warm hug at every gig (unless you’re behind the missing table) - you are a legend, and I love you!