It's here and it's big! More than 180 acts are taking over 21 stages in Brisbane's Fortitude Valley for BIGSOUND's 21st birthday (6-8 September); and if day one is anything to go by, the next two days will leave patrons feeling satisfied, entertained and highly optimistic about the future of Australian music.
Kicking off the night we have Indigenous singer Dean Brady taking the stage at The Loft. His silky vocals are supported by some lush female backing, and it feels good. "I didn't want to let you go," he sings, and it was hard to leave. But Talk Heavy are taking their high-energy rock to Woolly Mammoth, and we couldn't miss it. The crowd is fairly full as they kick into high gear, and we are off and racing.
Then Molly Millington, hair slick and make-up perfect, delivers her soothing, haunting vocals over Ric's Backyard, as she pleads: "Don't feed the animal." Her voice soars and drops with addictive dynamics, and the crowd is captured.
Onto Blute's where Kutcha Edwards' gravelly tones and soul band are shaking the walls. He delivers his stories with a lovely severity, and you want to learn more about this man.
Over at BLVD, Grand Pine are delivering their super-moody folk-pop. They are enigmatic. The songs are slow and contemplative before the strained guitars captivate the audience, growing in intensity then dropping completely back. They were absolutely spellbinding.
Franko Gonzo lights up Summa House with some sick dance moves, bringing the vibes with their house-pop, and the audience is starting to loosen open up. Then, Srirachi brings some spice to EC, rapping in a bikini top and jumping around. She has the crowd singing and jumping with her, and it's a fun time.
Over to Black Bear where Chloe Dadd brings some feel-good surf rock with just the right amount of bass. The guitars are slick, and it's a nice momentary respite. Sam Windley is absolutely fantastic at Tomcat. Her warm, soaring Aussie vocals with a country feel light up the night, and everyone is smiling.
No time to stop as MUNGMUNG is hitting Prohibition. She has the crowd chanting "f... you motherf...er" before launching into stunningly beautiful, soulful vocals. The juxtaposition is humorous, and MUNGMUNG is a real highlight of the night.
Not too far down the road, WIIGZ are rocking Brightside's outdoor stage. The crowd is packed, and it's hard to squeeze around the corner to get a glimpse, but boy is it worth it.
WIIGZ are complete with a full band and backing dancers. They are dressed like it's the early 2000s with flare pants and awkward sunglasses. It is a definite vibe. Their choreographed dance routine is comedic and entertaining. Definitely check them out if you get the chance.
Platonic Sex are drawing a crowd inside Brightside, but we are off to Blute's. Loren Ryan was beautiful and engaging, touching hearts with her soul stories, and you get the feeling Blute's was a good place to camp yourself for the evening.
At Summa House, Cody Jon is charming and the songs are deliciously catchy. Cody throws some dance moves into his pop tunes while rocking the early 2000s boy band aesthetic. Are we going back to the 2000s here? I'm here for it.
At The Loft, Hanni is confident and commanding as she sings her house-pop. The crowd are dancing hard, and the whole place is fun. At EC, Foura also has the crowd dancing hard to their deep house, and after so many bars, it's easy to feel like you're disoriented in some bar at 4am. But there's no time to stop.
Caroline & Claude are wonderful at Warehouse, bringing good energy with their soul pop. They bounce between their male and female singers in a wonderfully complimentary way. Highly recommend.
At Black Bear, Lee Sugar is energetic. And I mean very energetic, belting out his rocky tunes with velocity, and the crowd likes it. Into Outpost for the first time and Folk Bitch Trio have stunning, three-part harmonies spinning through the air. They tell stories along with their songs, and you feel very connected.
ENOLA brings some yummy grunge to Sound Garden, and suddenly you feel energised again. Suzi draws a nice crowd at O'Skulligans with her relatable lyrics over Aussie garage rock, and it fuels you even more.
At Brightside, Death By Denim sport some eye-catching pants to go with their catchy tunes. The surf rockesque band give everything they have, and the crowd is responding in kind.
Brekky Boy brings his frenetic, instrumental energy to King Lears, which is packed to the rafters. It's so hot, I don't know how they are playing in there, but the jazzy music soothes and touches the soul.
At Stranded, Yb. have the place packed, and their songs are some of the most catchy of the night. You don't know the words but you want to sing these 2000-inspired tunes. It's hard to leave. At BLVD, Sarah Wolfe is a ball of energy, and highly entertaining. Her songs are pop but the lyrics are sad and relatable. One to watch.
At The Zoo, VOIID have a queue down the street for their '90s-esque all-girl rock. The crowd are jumping, the band are yelling, guitars are screaming and it's high energy.
At Summa House, the vibe could not be more different, where Bumpy has the crowd captivated to the point of silence. Her rich, soulful vocals are backed by a full band, and she is simply breathtaking. She sings 'Return Home' about the places and people you call home, and her voice is absolutely enthralling. I had goosebumps the whole time. Definitely my favourite of the night.
Roy Bing entertains EC with his Auto-Tuned vocals, and humour, while Rinrin provides some unexpected metal for Ric's Backyard, and did not disappoint. She thrashes her deep red guitar, and for metal lovers, she is one to see.
At Black Bear, Te Kaahu brings some beautiful, traditional soul, singing in her native language. She has proverbs and metaphors integrated into her songs, one song about a nurturing river is based on her Grandmother's proverb. You feel like part of the family.
Outpost again, where Jenny Mitchell is slick and her band is tight. She sings a heartfelt ballad about the Me Too movement and her desire to protect her sisters, and it hits deep.
Saygrace is enthralling and heartbreaking at Press Club, with her soul pop, while at Ivory Tusk, Greatest Hits' dance-pop is infectiously fun, complete with leopard print shirt and beret. They play hand drums while one band member runs around blowing a whistle in the audience. It is a great time.
Upstairs at Woolly Mammoth, The Buckleys' country pop sounds delicious, and they look stunning in a shimmering gold suit.
South Summit's beachy rock is warming up Blute's, while at Outpost, Nick Ward's sentimental pop with booming bass hits different. Definitely one to check out. Bud Rokesky is impressive and moody in an all black suit at O'Skulligans, shooting his dark eyes around the room and booming his slow, country drawl.
While at Brightside, Beckah Amani is deliciously feel-good. You wish you had more time to check her out. Outside, Selfish Sons are tight and loud, exactly the energy you need at 11pm. Their rock tunes lit up the night. To Octavia keep a crowd at The Zoo, with their emo tunes and high energy.
But there is only one place I want to be. At the Prince Consort Hotel, Phoebe Go is perfectly brooding and sentimental, lighting up the Consort in a special way. It was hard to hear over the large crowd, so I look forward to seeing her again.
Selve rock Blute's with their Arctic Monkey vibe, and over at Woolly Mammoth, Flowerkid are heartbreakingly honest and deep. You feel like crying. Teenage Joans are rocking Ric's hard, while Sappho, with her three back-up dancers, promises to "blow your ears". Her dance-pop is infectious.
At Warehouse, Hope D is shredding, her band is energetic and the massive crowd is dancing furiously. It would have been good to have more time to check her out. At Summa House, Troy Kingi's island rock is absolutely amazing. The guitars were screaming high into the night. I only wish I had seen more of it.
Waxflower's pop punk is a great close to the night at Stranded, high energy that leaves you wanting more.
BIGSOUND Live Day One, you took it out of me and my feet, but I am more than ready for the rest of what you have to offer.
