Sun, surf and soul. . . plus lots more sun!
Yet another weekend (4-7 October) of perfect festival weather shined down on the 2019 Caloundra Music Festival. This festival unites young and old, introducing international music that doesn’t get radio play, along with showcasing all that's great about our home-grown talent.
There are gems to be found among the five stages open to the general ticket holders along with the more intimate sets for those wanting to experience the festival by paying a little more to hang out at the Kings Club VIP bars and facilities.
With five stages to entertain us, as well as the piano bar, it was the usual jam-packed days of both artists we knew and some we’d never heard of. This is always the case at Caloundra. The organisers invariably present some artists who many of us have never heard of before, but who leave us breathless. This year was to be no exception.
Of course, we were excited to see New Power Generation and they did not disappoint. What an amazing band, and no surprise really with their history as the hand-picked backing band for Prince for many years.
Turkuaz - image © Marc Austin-Zande
The stand out performance of the weekend had to be Brooklyn-based Turkuaz. This nine-piece funk/ rock/ alternative band were something to behold. Colour-coded, right down to their microphones, they not only sounded great, they looked amazing onstage. We’ve not stopped telling people about them since they performed. Yeah, 'do yourself a favour' to borrow an old line.
We were lucky enough to see Resin Dogs just a few weeks ago and it was great to see them again here at Caloundra. They were awesome as always.
The Superjesus poured on an energetic set with the sun still shining down on the main stage. It was hot and so was their performance.
Regurgitator were just fantastic, as they always have been. Celebrating 25 years of rocking just about every genre of music, Ben and Quan, along with relative newcomer Peter, rocked the Soul Stage with a capacity crowd in front of them.
Regurgitator - image © Marc Austin-Zande
Their set was opened with a hilarious and somewhat surreal animation/ video hosted by Dylan Lewis. That crowd in front of them was comprised of ‘littlies’ to OAPs and all of them dancing to familiar songs.
Click here for more photos from the festival.
But what’s this? Suze DeMarchi has long hair! Damn, she still looks about 20 years younger than she is. What the hell is her secret? The Baby Animals haven’t changed, still as energetic as ever and delivering a thunderous rock set to a field of adoring fans who just wanted more.
Baby Animals - image © Marc Austin-Zande
We had to duck out early from the Baby Animals to catch New Power Generation before it was time for a quick stroll up to the Sun stage to catch Sunshine Coast locals, The Dreggs. These guys present a sound greater than the sum of their two-piece format. Somehow they optimise the Coast and were right at home here on the Sun stage at Caloundra Music Festival.
The Cat Empire rounded the night off at the Soul stage with their blend of ska and jazz. They’ve been delivering their fusion for 20 years now and they are always a crowd pleaser.
There were others we got to see briefly, including Natalie Gillespie (though we would get to see more of her the following day on the amazing Sand stage set on the beach itself), Volcanic Lovers, Burger Joint, The Hot Potato Band, and The Bad Dad Orchestra.
Natalie Gillespie - image © Marc Austin-Zande
As always, the Caloundra Music Festival is just so well organised. So easy to get around between stages and the facilities are second to none in this format.
The food, oh the food, so many choices and most of which are not sticking it to the punters with ‘festival tax’. I’m certain the festival organisers are on to this and make sure that ticket holders are not being had by unscrupulous merchants. We have our favourites who have been here for as long as we can remember, one in particular who does the best garlic bread and fabulous coffee.
The ban on disposable water bottles has been in force for a couple of years now and it works very well, with sufficient refill stations across the festival. Security is tight but friendly and you are left feeling comfortable that your children are safe and not likely to wander off.
Yep, ‘family friendly’ sounds a bit boring when speaking of music festivals, but this one is just that and it works well. Caloundra Music Festival is anything but boring and yet you can bring your kids along, not something we’ve felt comfortable doing at any other music festival.
Sunday rolls around far too quickly this year. Probably because we missed the first two days but the feeling is always the same for us. This has been our seventh CMF and Sunday is always a mix of relief after a huge few days but also sad that the fun is coming to an end.
Bob Abbott - image © Marc Austin-Zande
We made a bee-line to the Surf stage to catch Bob Abbot and the Fabulous Green Machine. Our old Mayor is one amazing talent. Blues singer and harmonica player extraordinaire, complemented by a group of some of the Sunshine Coast’s best musicians.
We then caught a bit of Sahara Beck before wandering back down to see Hat Fitz and Cara, an fantastic guitar/ drums duo who rocked! Mesmerised by their huge blues and rock set, we realised we missed catching Jon Cleary in the piano bar but we will get to catch him later in the day.
Sahara Beck - image © Marc Austin-Zande
Time to head back to the main (Soul) stage and see Wendy Matthews and Grace Knight perform together. You start to feel your age when you remember seeing the Eurogliders so many years ago, but Grace Knight hasn’t lost one ounce of her stage presence and power. Same for Wendy Matthews, still a fabulous vocalist and entertainer.
Quickly back down to the Surf stage to catch Joan As Police Woman, an amazing artist who has performed alongside some of the world’s biggest stars. Joan (Wasser) was here for us, performing her solo set which was just amazing. Just so glad we took the time to catch her set.
Next up for us was Natalie Gillespie on the Sand stage, a full-size stage right on the actual beach. Natalie was great. She ROCKED!
She also gave her own opinion of the CMF and its organisers, especially Sharna Taylor (who we also think is pretty special) who was like a breath of fresh air for her when it comes to artist applications to festivals. But we already know this about Caloundra, as they deliver some of the very best to us every year.
Hat Fitz & Cara - image © Marc Austin-Zande
As we missed Jon Cleary at the piano bar, there was no chance of missing his full band down at the Surf stage. And wow, we were not to be disappointed! Jon Cleary and The Absolute Monster Gentlemen were on fire. What a great band and Jon’s voice is amazing.
It was then time to wander back up to the Soul stage and see Kate Miller-Heidke perform. The front row of the audience were a mix of ages, from six to sixty, and floral headbands seems to be the thing. Kate performed to an adoring crowd, totally mesmerised by her presence.
Kate Miller-Heidke - image © Marc Austin-Zande
But we had another appointment. . . Turkuaz were about to take to the Surf stage. Again, Turkuaz were just breathtaking. They are, for us, the stand-out act of the festival. We’ve certainly been moved by other bands in previous year (Dumpstafunk and The Nth Power spring to mind) but Turkuaz have been on our playlist ever since seeing them the first time. We can’t wait to see them again. . . hint, hint Caloundra Music Festival.
And now, the finale. As the other stages finished, the Surf stage packed out completely for Diesel. It’s not the first time I’ve seen such a crowd here, but this time it really felt like there wasn’t room for one more person.
Diesel did his thing for the punters, he rocked! He also performed under what was probably the best light show of the entire festival weekend. Props to the LD who made that happen.
Diesel - image © Marc Austin-Zande
Congratulations to the festival organisers, to the army of volunteers, and to the artists. There is simply no other festival as welcoming, as friendly, and well run, that a whole family can attend and enjoy. The stage managers and crew, the lighting and sound people, everyone at this festival is to be congratulated for making an unforgettable weekend for us all.
We’re already looking forward to 2020.
