About
Money for Nothin - Dire Straits Experience is a tribute band for hire in Gold Coast, QLD.
Formed in 2017 on the Gold Coast, this six-piece exists for one reason: to play Dire Straits properly. Terry McMahon fronts it, and he's spent a long time chasing the Mark Knopfler fingerstyle and tone rather than approximating it. Riffs and solos come out as they were recorded. The show runs about three hours across three sets, opening with Down to the Waterline and working through Romeo and Juliet, Private Investigations, Sultans of Swing and Money for Nothing. All experienced players. They need a stage of at least 5m x 3m, a power outlet, and access to the venue three hours before showtime.
Watch
The show
About three hours of Dire Straits, played as it was recorded. Terry McMahon fronts the six-piece and has spent years getting the Knopfler fingerstyle, the vocal and that guitar tone right, so the riffs and the solos land where your ear expects them. The big ones are all in there. Sultans of Swing. Walk of Life. Romeo and Juliet, Tunnel of Love, Lady Writer, Money for Nothing, Your Latest Trick. And if you know the first two albums, listen out: they pull in early songs almost nobody else covers. Lighting and sound production come with the show. It's built for the room to sing along, and rooms generally do.
On the day
A stage of 5m x 3m at minimum, though more room is welcome. One standard power outlet does the job. They'll want to be in the venue at least three hours before the show starts so the gear and the lighting are up and checked well before your guests arrive.
Performance options
The main show runs to about three hours, split into three sets. If you'd like the night to start earlier than that, a warm up covers band can be arranged to open before them.
Insurance and paperwork
Public liability insured
Song list
28 songs
SET 1
Down to the waterline
Six blade knife
Walk of life
The bug
Romeo and Juliet
Water of love
Industrial disease
Your latest trick
Setting me up
SET 2
Private investigations
So far away
Single handed sailor
Tunnel of love
Once upon a time in the west
Calling Elvis
Two young lovers
Sultans of swing
SET 3
Going home
Southbound again
Lady writer
Twisting by the pool
