When ‘The THOLY Spirit’ hits the Star Court theatre in October, it’s tipped to be the tribute of all tributes for Lismore’s ‘fallen leader the great John "Gruntus" Lush’.

John Lush tragically died of a heart attack at this year’s Lantern Parade, leaving behind a partner with a new baby – and two other children. Read more.

John’s friend and fellow band member Isaac Vincent said the ‘The THOLY Spirit’ would be the first time since 2019 that THOL (aka The Humans of Lismore) will put on its signature three-hour cabaret show – all about Lismore, with loads of comedy.

“The title is a play on THOL – we always put THOL in the show title – the last one was THOLidarity,” Isaac said.

“All the proceeds from the show will go to John’s partner Vivian and baby Beatrix, and his other children.

“It will be like the cabaret shows we did when John was alive. It’s a take on David Letterman’s Tonight show, but completely Lismore-centric, with lots of jokes and songs about Lismore and different performers.

Performances

“We’ll have a quick dating ‘Perfect Match’ segment with local politicians. There’s also the Pitt Family Circus Performing

“We’ll have local singers and songwriters and comedian Vanessa Larry Mitchell.

“Of course, we will be playing songs from GRUNT – John’s band and we’ll bring in different singers to sing John’s songs. We’ll have Brodie Buttons and others coming on board.

“Grunt’s son John Lush Junior will also sing John’s songs from his first band PISS.

“And local singer Leon Blythe from Thundergods of the Multiverse will make an appearance.”

Dungeons and Dragons

“Grunt was a big Dungeons and Dragons nerd – he was a dungeon master and he and his friends met every Sunday to play.

“But now – his character is still out there – alive – so we will be doing a segment to wrap his character up.

Exciting and bittersweet

“It’s been exciting putting this show together, listening to the old songs and John singing.

“It’s bittersweet putting it on without him – we haven’t done one without him before.”

Isaac hopes to sell enough tickets to fill the 250-seat theatre to capacity and encourages people to book ahead.

“We hope all of Lismore turns up,” he said.

The THOLY Spirit will be on Saturday, October 8, from 7 to 10pm.

Tickets cost $25 per person and can be bought through the Star Court Theatre or via Facebook https://www.facebook.com/events/1037742236834391