With no pesky rain or humidity, Saturday (3 June) was perfect to spring a '90s-loaded nostalgia music festival on Brisbane.
It may not be springtime, but as Goldilocks would say, "it's just right" for the first Spring Loaded festival of 2023.The unmistakable sound of live music travels with the cool breeze coming off the water surrounding Bribie Island at Sandstone Point Hotel. I recognise the distinct sounds of the first band of the day, Screamfeeder, and quicken my step.
A punter fills me in on the first song and is quick to tell me that lead singer, Tim Steward's energetic stage presence proved to be too much for his guitar strap! Apparently, it snapped off much to the hilarity of Kellie Lloyd.
Yep. Brissie's Screamfeeder are taking it all with a grain of salt and smashing it up with those noisy guitars that called me forth. The crowd is captivated by the hypnotic beauty of the intermingling harmonies of the voices of Lloyd and Steward.
Screamfeeder - image © Clea-marie Thorne
Lloyd gets my every time in the heart with 'Dart'. Screamfeeder's performance proves they sound better than they did back in '90s.
However, that does not detract from their ability to evoke a strong sense of fuzz-laden nostalgia with their set list covering timeless oldies and newer tracks. 'I Don't Know What To Do Anymore' and 'Down The Drinker' went down a treat.
Punk alt-rockers, Bodyjar are up next and are getting a fantastic reception from the gathering crowd.
The '90s sure did breed some Aussie staples in the band scene and one of them ignites our love of live, loud music with the energetic and melodic sounds of 'Not The Same'.
This was backed by a Bodyjar best of set, including 'One In A Million' with a side serve of the new, that includes the banger 'Get Out Of My Head' – the new songs deliver even more catchy hooks along with those signature fast-paced guitar riffs.
Bodyjar - image © Clea-marie Thorne
Fans fang-out on their cover of 'Rain' (Dragon) and go bonkers when rock deity, Adalita Srsen (Magic Dirt) joins them onstage for a '20s rendition of 'Too Drunk To Drive' – no, make that, an unforgettable '20s duet. All too soon Bodyjar must 'Surrender' to their time slot constraints leaving us punters twitching in delight.
But wait! Punk's not dead yet, today! We receive another helping of punk with the beloved Frenzal Rhomb. There are more than a few Frenzal tees visible in the front row – and whaddayaknow, Michael 'Dal' Dallinger (bass) is onstage sporting a Bodyjar tee. Nawwe.
'Where Drug Dealers Take Their Kids' is played with as much energy as it ever has and it has punters singing along just as loudly in 2023. Needless to say, Lindsay McDougall (also Spring Loaded's resident emcee) cannot be trusted to jump about while playing the guitar – this is my take on a minor tech issue – but we love it when he does. Punk & roll, baby!
Gifting us a stack of short, sharp punk anthems and some humorous ad-libbing during a minor tech issue, Frenzal played ‘Never Had So Much Fun', 'Mr Charisma', 'Bucket Bong', 'Mummy Doesn't Know That You're A Nazi' and 'I Miss My Lung'.
Frenzal Rhomb - image © Clea-marie Thorne
Oh, and one jaw dropper to close the set, of course is 'Punch In The Face'. We are lifted up by the fast-paced guitar riffs, driving rhythms, and Whalley's unmistakable pipes.
While all bands on the bill today hold a certain nostalgia and a warm place in my musical heart, I'm super excited for the grungy, hard rock, super deliciousness of Shihad. Technically, they're the only international act on the bill. I am not a traitor, I am inclusive.
'Tear Down Those Names' had us in a frenzy before 'Think You're So Free' sends us wild. We got a slight breather mid set with their cover of 'I Got You' by another NZ-Aussie favourite, Split Enz.
Jon Toogood (vocals and guitar) is a blur of energy as he darts everywhere on the stage, in front of the fold backs and all – pausing only from time to time to absorb the crowd reaction with his hands held high or to encourage more crowd interaction.
Shihad - image © Clea-marie Thorne
They couldn't leave the banger 'Pacifier' – and the band's interim namesake – off the list. It had all of us cranking with its driving guitars.
The sun is setting and the sky has an orange and pink hue. The sight excites Toogood and he holds the mic, stand and all, out to the crowd to sing into. Boy do they sing up a twilight storm.
Shihad's ability to combine aggressive tones and melody is so glorious live, the crowd can't help but join in. Their set was electric and intense, and excited me yet at the same time it did 'Comfort Me' in the best way possible.
Magic Dirt come next and fans near me are screaming "Adalita!". Not long after they start their set, the front of stage moshers scream out to her, begging her to turn up her mic.
While punters at the back were not having any sound issues, Srsen takes a moment and gets the sound crew to give the punters at the front more of what they are asking for. Yeah, baby!
Magic Dirt - image © Clea-marie Thorne
Magic Dirt laid down their mix of alternative rock and grunge songs. 'Pace It' and 'Plastic Loveless Letter' are two that have us all hot and bothered in the best way and we took a moment with Adalita as she dedicated 'Dirty Jeans' to Dean Turner's memory.
Ratcat are next. We gobble down their blend of pop, punk, and indie rock, incorporating melodic hooks and energetic guitar-driven sounds that has other artists in the line-up in the wings dancing and singing along.
Ratcat's 'Don't Go Now' has some ladies on the barrier getting totally nuts. One is holding out their Ratcat cassette toward the stage. Nostalgia at its finest! 'That Ain't Bad' even gets a touch of Tim Steward as he joins the band for this classic.
Jangly guitars, bouncy rhythms, and Simon Day's distinctive vocals have us in a '90s euphoria – thank you Ratcat.
Ratcat - image © Clea-marie Thorne
Kavyen Temperley takes the stage in his signature fashion getup. He weirdly waits for quiet before the band rock into their set that includes all the fan favourites: 'Black Fingernails, Red Wine', 'From The Sea', 'Sweater' and 'Tingles'.
Temperley's vocals are on fire and the band is crazy tight behind him. The rock & roll and sometimes country-rock flavour is going down well with the dancing mob who have not stopped during their long set. A polished performance that has left us breathless.
Eskimo Joe - image © Clea-marie Thorne
Spiderbait! Oh yeah, it is time. Mark 'Kram' Maher (vocals, drums), Janet English (bass guitar, vocals), and Damian Whitty (guitar) are finally on stage! The headliners take their time to settle in before they get to rocking our socks off.
'Old Man Sam' and 'Outta My Head' are welcomed hits. While 'Calypso' has the crowd lighting up the mosh pit and amphitheatre slope with mobile phones lights as punters croon along.
It's a set of real nostalgia and better still, new memories are being made as Kram is sharing a most glorious experience with us tonight. Vacating his drum throne, Kram introduces us to his teenage boy Lonnie.
We listen in as Lonnie is given strict instructions to get behind the drum kit and ensure he does the pauses for their absolute banger 'Buy Me a Pony'. What a wonderful thing to witness. Nearly teary. He even got the pauses bang on.
Punters stayed dancing to the very last tune, 'Black Betty', before making their exit to the very last throes of feedback ringing out into the cold, night air.
Spiderbait - image © Clea-marie Thorne
Spiderbait you proved once again (and another song from their set list tonight) how 'You're F...en Awesome'.
Spring Loaded was immense with musical nostalgia and feel-good vibes. It was an experience of quality musicianship shared with fellow musicians and us, the live music loving punters.
I'll be back and I sure believe the masses will too. If there's a Spring Loaded springing up near you – hop to it.
More photos from the show.
