A once-in-a-lifetime showcase, the 25th anniversary of the Tony Hawk's Pro Skater video game franchise was celebrated in Brisbane with an event like no other.
Walking into The Fortitude Music Hall (27 January), it was nothing short of surreal to see a two-storey half-pipe set up in the middle of the dance floor.Patrons crowded the fences surrounding it, hoping to get the best view of the skating soon to come. Elsewhere there were free tattoos, free pizza and video game stations that filled both levels of the Music Hall.
It felt like a true celebration of 'Tony Hawk's Pro Skater', catering to the tastes and sensibilities of those wearing caps backwards and Vans slip-ons enjoying playlists of only the best punk and rock classics.
Image © Dylan Hewitson-Bevis
The festivities kicked off with a Welcome to Country, followed by Alex Lahey and her band taking the stage. Chugging through hits like 'Every Day's The Weekend', Lahey couldn't wipe the smile from her face.
Alex claimed the whole event felt "like a dream," and "couldn't believe [she] was playing [the show]". Of course, their set wouldn't have been complete without a rendition of 'Misery Guts', a song that features in the soundtrack for the remaster of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1+2.
After bowing out with a massive cheer of applause, those by the stage did a 180 (minus kickflip) to face the half-pipe. The skating kicked off in earnest, with skater Aimee Massie MCing and DZ Deathrays DJing.
Image © Dylan Hewitson-Bevis
Skateboarding as a spectator sport is fascinating to watch anytime, but seeing it live inside a music venue was simply unreal. It felt up close and personal, watching professionals from the Birdhouse skate crew, like Elliot Sloan, at the top of their game as they landed complicated tricks like it was nothing.
Veteran rockers Bodyjar were up next on the main stage, walking out to frenzied cheering from an audience who had grown up alongside their music. It was clear Bodyjar were held in high regard, as the crowd seemed to sing hit songs like 'Windsok' louder than the band.
Also an alumni of the THPS soundtrack, Bodyjar's single 'Not The Same' (featured in the third Pro Skater game) was a certified crowd pleaser, followed up neatly with their famous cover of Simon & Garfunkel's 'Hazy Shade Of Winter'.
After Bodyjar the half-pipe came alive again, this time with the Birdman himself, Tony Hawk ready to drop in. Watching Tony Hawk skateboard live was truly a sight to behold, a man of his pedigree and achievements sharing his talents in such an intimate space felt like a gift for all who attended.
You could spot those who had grown up with his video games or watched his performances on MTV, as people cheered Hawk and the other talented skaters as they nailed tricks, like the 720 aerial, with wide-eyed admiration.
To close out the evening, covers band Birdman flocked to the stage. Famous for only doing covers of songs from the Tony Hawk Pro Skater soundtracks, their performance was the liveliest of the night.
Image © Dylan Hewitson-Bevis
There's something special about getting to see a range of ska and punk-rock songs covered in the same room as an 11-foot-tall half-pipe, almost as if the band were playing an actual skatepark. Covers of Motörhead's 'Ace Of Spades' and Rage Against The Machine's 'Guerilla Radio' set the room on fire, with the mosh pit truly going wild.
The band promised they wouldn't be encoring, instead bringing Tony Hawk onstage to perform their last two covers with him providing guest vocals. Not only can the man skate, but he can belt out a damn good scream.
Image © Dylan Hewitson-Bevis
As the rest of the Birdhouse posse started leaping into the crowd, all eyes were on Hawk, begging him for a crowd surf. Tony Hawk may be in his later years, but as he jumped off the stage, it was clear the Birdman can still soar.
More photos from the event.
