Set in the Arts House Fringe Club, Everybody’s Talkin’ began with a smooth and relaxing atmosphere. The bar was filled with park-bench style seating, and each table had upon it tea light candles in coloured paper cases. This calming atmosphere was a perfect backdrop to the debate/discussion/question time that eventuated as six local media personalities took to the stage. Crikey writer, Ben Eltham, adjudicated the panel which consisted of fellow Crikey heavyweights Sophie Black and Andrew Marlton, more commonly known as First Dog On The Moon. Editor, journalist and poet Geoff Lemon represented the left side of the panel, alongside writer, broadcaster and confident feminist Clementine Ford, and Ben Pobjie – writer, comedian and poet.

As the audience tipped back Sunday beers from the bar, the panelists weren’t keen to be to be left out; passing a bottle of red wine up and down their on-stage table, eagerly pouring it into their glasses as they spoke. Despite the potentially sloppy situation, the Q&A-style set-up kicked off to a roaring start, with the analysis of politics and various politicians. The panelists were all happy and confident to give their opinions, and agreed, as well as debated with each other throughout the session. Each one presented their own insight into a variety of issues, leaving the audience with a range of thoughts to take home and mull over a cup of tea, or bottle of Gatorade – depending on how many beers they downed over the course of the night. Topics of discussion were raised by panelists, as well as sourced from the audience and the Everybody’s Talkin’ Twitter feed, which was displayed on a projector screen. Nothing was off limits as the discussion swayed from asylum seekers, to the existence of the “Aussie battler,” to theory surrounding what exactly people smugglers’ ‘business models’ really are.

The panelists were all intelligent, funny and really interesting people to listen to and engage with. Heading there, I was worried that Everybody’s Talkin’ would be cold and serious, however there were many laughs to be had, everybody was in a lovely mood, and I felt a little smarter for attending. What a perfect way to end a weekend.