Music lovers of Brisbane migrated north on 9 May for a 12-hour music extravaganza in Redcliffe.
The Dolphins Leagues Club was the place to be to watch 30 kick-ass bands and solo artists bringing their A-game for a fantastic cause. It’s the second year that Club Shambles has made Rockin’ 4 The Homeless a reality, and this year the profits will be given to local organisations Chameleon House and The Breakfast Club, who are partnering to create a safe space on the peninsular for homeless and at-risk members of the community.
Though there was a wealth of talent on display on the Rainbow Stage, Abby Skye stole the show. An acoustic soloist with a voice like a sucker punch, Abby’s set finished just before Mental As Anything began on the Main Stage. I’ll be honest: by the end of her set, I found myself wishing they could push back the headline band to give her more time on stage.
Abby Skye - image © Kylie ThompsonEven watching a fan’s strained efforts to mosh their way through her cover of 'Somewhere Over The Rainbow' wasn’t enough to detract from the beauty of her performance. If you’re a fan of acoustic pop and soul, consider her a must-see act.
There comes a time in every band’s life when it’s time to bow out gracefully and let the back catalogue of hits do the work for them. Thankfully, headlining act Mental As Anything seem to be nowhere near reaching the end of their live performance days. Fans of all ages rocked out to well-loved Aussie classics like 'Mr Natural', 'Rock n’ Roll Music', and clear audience favourite 'The Nips Are Getting Bigger'.
The beauty of Rockin’ 4 The Homeless lies not just in the chance to support worthy, local causes, but also in its ability to appeal to a range of tastes. Whether it was the country stylings of Seleen McAlister, the folk-pop sounds of the Counterfeit Umbrellas, the blues soaked rock of Steve Skinner, or the hard rock powerhouse Team Utopia, there was an act for everyone to enjoy.
Team Utopia - image © Kylie ThompsonRockin’ 4 The Homeless looks set to become an annual event on the Redcliffe live-music calendar, and with Club Shambles aiming to make each outing bigger and better, I can’t wait to see what acts 2016 will bring.
