With four acts on the line-up, Skegss' Open Season show at Brisbane's The Tivoli was always going to be a marathon event (28 June).
Local act ixaras was on first, and even with only catching their last song, it felt like the indie rock-pop artist has a lot of promise and stage presence to match the well-crafted songs and a sh.t-hot band to match.Later in the evening, Zoe from The Buoys was raving about ixaras, so that's a great reason to dig in some more!
WA product Fool Nelson recently had a big opportunity for exposure, as they played triple j's One Night Stand in Busselton (their local haunt) and exposed their guitar-fuelled rock to a whole new audience across the country.
The three-piece band have a real classic Australia guitar sound to them, which is a compliment when you compare them to acts like Ratcat, Pollyanna and Motor Ace.
With their newish track 'Bad Dreams' under their belt, it feels like the trajectory of this trio is up, but potentially might find themselves needing an extra player onstage with bassist-cum-guitarist Darcy Steven switching back and forth between the instruments.
Fool Nelson - image © Chris Searles
The vocal and style of lead singer Tom Broadbent was reminiscent of another young trio rock band from the '90s that would go on to international acclaim. There's something about Fool Nelson that feels like it's the right place at the right time.
"We love you, Brisbane!" The Buoys love playing in Brisbane and it's evident throughout the set that Brisbane love The Buoys. The four piece have been smashing stages and earning legions of fans around the country for nearly ten years.
With their 2024 debut album 'Lustre' having paved a new path for the band, there's the feeling things are only going to get better. As well as playing classics from their catalogue like 'Lie To Me Again' (which prompted a huge sing-along) and 'Linda', they also gave us 'Settle Petal' and 'Check Mate' from 'Lustre'.
Most excitingly, though, they also shared two brand new tracks. 'Bitch' – which singer and guitarist Zoe Catterall declared originated when someone called her that, "but not in a loving way" – was the first, but 'Take It Over' was performed as well for its first ever performance.
Both new tracks felt fresh and catchy and definitely pave the way for an exciting new chapter for The Buoys.
The Buoys - image © Chris Searles
It's hard to believe Skegss have been around for 10-plus years already. Such is the nature of time, a band that feels like it's still blazing a path through Australia is almost at veteran stage.
The band walked out to 'Escape (The Piña Colada Song)', which felt a suitable way to explain the whole night. There is a sense of holiday with this band and every time they take the stage, they encourage escape and freedom.
The duo is certainly fleshed out onstage with no less than five members (and sometimes more) performing, but it's the front duo of Jonny Lani and Ben Reed who direct the traffic of the show.
Skegss - image © Chris Searles
'Valhalla' kicks us off and again, it's that escape that we all immerse ourselves in. The crowd in The Tivoli is young, with under-age allowed on the balcony, but plenty of fresh faces in the pit (along with the few experienced ones) and it shows just how a band that has been around for over a decade is still connecting with every age group.
The songwriting is the reason. Songs like 'Smogged Out', 'Spring Has Sprung' and 'High Beaming' (the latter from their latest album, 'Pacific Highway Music'), have always given something for people to cling onto. Hope, life and release.
"Youse look good," declares Lani as they bring out Will on trumpet for 'State Of Hawaii'. Another track that inspires escape. There's little banter really, just a few reactions to how fun the crowd is or maybe how "lit" things are.
The slacker mentality is at odds with the hard work this band have put in to still be a success after a decade. There's a sense that there's a lot more behind this band than the mirage of a live show.
Skegss - image © Chris Searles
The show is loose, but then again, so is the crowd. The pit, frenzied and frenetic, felt exactly how it should. It does, however, force the smaller and more timid audience members to the fringes. Then again, it doesn't diminish the enjoyment.
Carnival dancers arrive onstage, as do members of the support acts and 'Up In The Clouds' is a joyous celebration of freedom and fun. There's an encore, but it's not a long one. After all, we'd all been there for four hours and had the time of our lives.
A killer line-up, a fantastic show, and even though we have to, escaping the venue is the last thing on our minds.
More photos from the concert.
