Perhaps it's appropriate that the first song I hear at BIGSOUND Live 2014 is 'Get On Your Horse' by The Furrs at Oh Hello!
It's an appropriately-named kickstart to another night (11th Wednesday) of top-draw Australian music across a multitude of stages and hidey-holes in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane.
After that start, the trek to The Zoo is punctuated by a short stop at The Press Club to catch All Our Exes Live In Texas; the folky Sydney quartet sounding like perhaps the most elegant act on show anywhere here tonight.
You wouldn't call Steve Smyth an elegant performer, but he's all the better for it. The impressively-moustachioed Sydneysider's sweat sprays off in fountains as he throws his Gibson and himself around The Zoo's stage, with new song 'Shake It' being a particular highlight among many great tracks.
Over at The Brightside, Adelaide's Bad//Dreems show why they're one of the most hyped acts of this year's BIGSOUND, as they power through a rip-roaring set of songs from their EP and upcoming debut album. A cover of The Replacements' 'Bastards Of Young' is the perfect setup to closer 'Dumb Ideas', as the quartet steal the show for tonight.
Bad//Dreems © Lachlan DouglasFollowing Bad//Dreems is another hyped act, the Britpop-heavy DMAs, who finish with their sing-along epic 'Delete' to a massive response.
DMAs © Lachlan DouglasAt the same time, in the darkened cavern of Alhambra Lounge, Melburnians Lurch & Chief are making an unholy racket in all the best ways, with 'We Are The Same' being the standout.
At The Rev on Warner Street, a much more chilled vibe is apparent, as Melbourne's Martha Brown – aka Banoffee – is going solo with a set of cool R&B and synth numbers in an enticingly air-conditioned environment.
Every BIGSOUND night needs a big finish, and this time it's provided by Kingswood. The Melbourne rockers are flying high, having just released their excellent debut album ‘Microscopic Wars’.
Despite teasing a few bars of 'Stairway To Heaven' and playing the intro to QOTSA's 'Feel Good Hit Of The Summer' after calling for the BIGSOUND delegates to “get your hands in the air”, it's their own 'Ohio' that provides the massive close. What a night.
– Paul McBride
This year's poignant BIGSOUND line-up showcases such a dynamic and eclectic array of national and international industry talent, making it incredibly difficult to select only a few acts to write about.
Notable mentions can include Sydney indie-garage trio Step-Panther who opened the leading music industry event on the JBL Live Stage at The Brightside. The boys amped up an already energetic crowd with their rowdy surf-punkesque vibes, especially when 'Nowhere' was smashed out — undoubtedly the crowd highlight.
Step-Panther © Lachlan DouglasA fellow punter suggested I make my way to the inthemix stage at Woolly Mammoth to catch Melbourne electronic dreamer, Yeo. It was mellow — maybe a bit too mellow after what I had just seen, but nonetheless, it was an engaging and flawless performance. His beautiful organ-fuelled cosmic electronica (in particular, when he performed 'Girl'), had our skins prickling, and bodies swaying.
Yeo © Lachlan DouglasMidway through Yeo's set, I dragged myself away to catch something a bit more upbeat. I found myself at the very jam-packed Future Classic stage watching Sydney sunshine-electronica superstars, Panama. The trio had everyone bopping their little hearts out, and energy levels were heightened as soon as the beginning lines of 'Always' were dropped.
Panama © Lachlan DouglasI couldn't stay, however, because I was desperately keen to catch at least one song of Peter Bibby; and oh my, I am glad I did. It was a nice little surprise to see psych-guru Nick Allbrook playing drums for Bibby — maybe a teaser for what's to come on day two? We can only hope.
Thelma Plum has a distinctively unique voice; a voice that melts hearts, and a voice of which I was excited to finally witness in the flesh. While her vocals were flawless, her performance lacked the same energy that I had seen with other performers.
Thelma Plum © Lachlan DouglasGarage-heavy Apes, on the other hand, where vocally on-point, musically ambitious, and their overall stage presence was inviting, as they teared through songs such as 'Helluva Time' and 'Pull The Trigger'. Closing BIGSOUND's triple J Unearthed stage at Oh Hello, these brashy Ballarat boys were easily day one's highlight.
- Keara Forde
