The crew at Napier's music venue Cabana pleaded for people to "come out and support us" at an urgent meeting last Monday and last night they did just that.
"Since the meeting people have responded," one of the management team, Matt Baker, said.
"It's great to see them coming through the doors.
It's just great."
The Monday-night meeting called not just for ideas to keep the iconic but struggling Cabana going, but also for support and last night's turnout showed they had achieved the latter.
There were a few anxious glances between the door staff at 7.30pm when only about a dozen people had walked in.
But by the time James "JR" Rochester began his set at 7.45 there were about 40 people. By 8 there were about 65 and by 8.30 the number had grown to around 100.
"We love this place," was how JR put it, and the crowd cheered their approval.
Last night's concert was for the "grey hairs" another of the crew, Brett Taylor, said with a smile.
Tonight, from 7pm, it is the turn of the young performers in what the Cabana crew hope will be another step towards saving the country's most atmospheric, and historic, live music venue.
