How does someone with the talent, charisma and charm of Robyn Hitchcock get booked into Ojai’s Deer Lodge? It was not fair to Robyn, his partner, Emma Swift or to the fans who came to hear his music.
While Robyn was on stage performing, mariachi music could be heard coming from the kitchen. When someone brought the obnoxious distraction to the bartender’s attention, the customer was told to stop complaining. I kid not. Next, somebody decided it was fine organizing the silverware into plastic trays in the same room that Robyn and Emma were performing. Clank, clank, clank. Could Robyn and Emma hear this? Of course. Being true professionals, they acted like they didn’t.
The Deer Lodge may be suitable for Steppenwolf cover bands but it is a sad excuse for a quality music venue. Next time Robyn, get yourself booked into the spectacular Ojai Underground, a venue that values its artists and audience. A backyard concert at our home would have been way better (and better attended) than that Deer Lodge concert.
Our apologies, Robyn. You deserved better.

