That Fest @ Cabarita Beach, Cabarita (20/11/2010)

Only in its second year, with enough maturity to rival other, the fresh faced northern New South Wales festival known simply as That Fest has opened its caring arms yet again for another day of fun in the sun.  As the beautiful beach side town of Cabarita welcomes the anxious horde of punters ready to party early in the morning, behind the scenes over 30 of Australia’s finest acts prepare for their busy day ahead.

 

While the clouds lingering threatened to ruin the day’s events, the Dance tent seemed to be a crowd favourite. Whether it be during the freak torrential rain or the abnormally intense heat wave that followed, thousands risked limbs and body odour by jamming into every nook and cranny inside the massive tent. Obviously capitalising, the energy given by DJ OMFG and side project Trial and Erra was only multiplied by the adoring audience. Blasting through a swagger of dance floor bangers and several original mixes, it was their take on classics by Crystal Castles and Ou Est Le Swimming Pool that proved the real ‘festival’ starter.

 

Over on the main stage, local rock n roll hardcore group Mourning Tide however educated the crowd in the art of head banging. Spitting fierce lyrics over face melting solo’s, Tyrone and the boys only fuelled Mother Nature in quest to soak Cabarita. Finally letting go, the rain fell mid-set with no intention of stoping.

 

In search for cover, currently hosted by Trip Kicks and Two Tall Bastards, the  now overflowing dance tent looked more like a mosh than a dance floor. Playing along with an amazing visual light show, located inside a Daft Punk-esq Pyramid, both DJ acts frequently updated their song choices to accommodate the drowned but loving audience. Even the Purple Sneakers boys worked the crowd up into a frenzy by pumping massive remix’s of acts such as Miike Snow, The Rapture and headliners Little Red.

 

Plagued with technical difficulties, with several instruments just not seeming to work, soul and hip-hop kings Space Invaders wowed the crowd from the get go. Opening with an soulful rendition of The Temper Traps ‘Sweet Disposition’, the stylish group clearly turned some heads. However, the boys immediately got back into crooning the swarms by promoting tracks from the debut ARIA nominated album Soul:Fi.

 

Only mere weeks ago, Adelaide’s finest in hip-hop, the Funkoars were bracing themselves to be pulled off stage. While legal issues about freedom of speech almost halted their entire set, promoters gave the boys the green light for their performance at That Fest. Blistering through a highly energetic body shaking set, it would be safe to say that nearly every woman in attendance had the best view, simply due to the fact most were hoisted on shoulders throughout.

 

Hidden away inside the Jam tent, twelve-piece phenomenon Velociraptor gladly destroyed the entire stage and every instrument in sight. With help from The Belligerents, the chaos that followed simply cannot be described or reviewed. It really is something you just have to witness to believe.

 

While attempting to regain to reality, under the dance tent local Gold Coast masters in crime the Surecut Kids warmed the decks with their exceptional and immaculate disc spinning skills and outrageous onstage antics. While the very sexualised performance may have featured a dancing vagina getting loose to the pumping track ‘Barbra Streisand’, the addition of ‘Pon De Floor’ and the ‘daggering’ dance crazy was evident throughout the crowd. Some ‘over excited’ animals even took measures into their own hands… literally, if you get my drift.

 

Just off the plane from Perth the night previous, the still yawning Miami Horror embraced their cult figure status amongst the younger generation in Cabarita.  Promoting their unique disco-house sound, obviously influence by the dance-pop sounds of the 70’s and 80’s, the recently released album Illumination was more than well received by the public. One of the more stylish acts of the day, the boys ripped through a set list of hits including singles ‘Moon Theory’, ‘I Look to You’ and show closer ‘Sometimes’ to roaring appreciation.

 

Hailing from Melbourne, the old fashioned rock and roll outfit known as Little Red have been compared to the likes of The Beach Boys. With beautifully synchronized harmonies, rivalling likes of acclaimed choirs, over pure rock chords, Little Red easily pleased the adoring punters with classics such as ‘Waiting’, ‘Witch Doctor’ and ‘Coca-Cola’.  Eventually ending with summer anthem and feel good track of 2010 ‘Rock It’, the sheer excitement and exhilaration felt left the crowd begging for more.

 

The most talked about inclusion to this year’s line up, and easily the most anticipated, three piece Australian rock and electronic band Regurgitator fronted a near sell out crowd. Once Quan, Ben and Peter blended their quite distinctive sound with the crowd’s enthusiasm, understandably pandemonium followed. Having 6 full length albums, 5 EP’s and several massive tracks, song choice did not disappoint. Cult tunes ‘I Will Lick Your Arsehole’, ‘My Friend Robot’ and ‘I Sucked Alota Cock To Get Where I Am’ went down a treat. Bouncing around on stage, Quan and Ben looked like maniacs wielding their instruments while drummer Peter made more noise than humanly possible. However, as expected, the greatest applause was saved for monster hits ‘Polyester Girl’, ‘The Song Formally Known As’ and ‘The Drop’.

 

As the day draws to its end, and the masses head back home, one thing is for certain. For only its second year running, That Fest has once again shined through the ranks. While the small grounds allowed for authentic intimacy with its incredible line up and overly enthusiastic and excitable crowd, to pin point the real joy of the days preceding is near impossible. Hearing rumours already for next year, all you can say is ‘bring it on’.

Cyberpunkers @ Ruby Tramp, Gold Coast (19/11/2010)

Around this time, every year, the Gold Coast’s Surfers Paradise becomes the ‘it’ spot for school leavers. Fresh from graduation, now ex students descend into the sun and sand to welcome themselves into adulthood. Most still underage, the legality issues that surround Schoolies is one not to dive into. That being said, for the adults of the group, unfortunately as Queensland’s schooling age is a year apart from New South Wales regulations, Ruby Tramp has opened its doors and hearts to new meat for one night of pure hell.

 

Thawed out in 2006, two young Italian DJ’s had foreseen the future of dance. Reinventing the decreasing trend, with help from attire, attitude, appearance and amazing music, the Cyberpunkers kick-started the world of modern clubbing. Drawing massive appeal early on, true praise came from their unique approach to the scene. Both hidden behind the original mask idea, to hide true identity – perhaps to save their lives? – the originality and sheer excitement of any performance are considered the 8^th wonder of the world. Travelling all over the world, with several remixes and original tracks to boast, it was about time that the Gold Coast had the opportunity to witness mayhem.

 

Arriving as the duo took control, every single causality seemed to be detached in foul odour and sweat. All sticking to the floor in bodily fluids, the mindless drones stood to obey their leaders. The intensity grew, whilst the crowd began to give in. Throwing limbs, drinks, tables and phone numbers, the Cyberpunkers – safely hidden behind masks and some sort of metal trellis – were in complete command of the zombies in front of them.

 

Engaged in the extreme art of dance, the pack of wolves descended not just onto the floor but attempted to break from their ‘caged’ environment. Climbing the metal enclosure, with hopes of hugging their idols, punters not only risked lives but worried the clubs staff members as the trellis began to give way. Maxing out all levels on their CDJs and even standing on their decks to scratch and beat mash in time with the howling audience, fuelled by the crowd’s participation, the Cyberpunkers were only more than enthusiastic to create more chaos.

 

Only lifting their masks to sip on their cool beverages, or steal a few smooches from several fine looking species, one question lingers… how on earth do they see or hear with these masks on? In all honestly, who really cares. For an act to almost destroy every ones hearing with one simple bass drop, or turn a dance floor into a battle field – complete with girls on shoulders – you gotta hand it to them. With the ever increasing appreciation for dubstep and heavyer tracks growing stronger every day, the masses have spoken.  We demand dirty and filthy, we wants to be clean?

playlist # 10

on current rotation…

1.      Dirty Nasty – I Can’t Dance (Feat. LMFAO)

“i can’t dance, im too jewish”

2.      The King Fantastic – Why Where What

“just for the rush i do that gangsta shit”

3.     Exampole – Kickstarts

“i might be holding your hand but im holding it loose”

4.      Rucka Rucka Ali – Justins Beaver (Part. 2)

“hes a handsome lady”

5.      Foo Fighters – The Pretender

“what if i say im not like the others?”

Bleeding Knees Club @ Elsewhere, Gold Coast (12/11/2010)

Quickly becoming somewhat of a tradition, the Gold Coasts own indie-haven Elsewhere has once again opened its doors and hearts to the self proclaimed party starters Graves. Sadly living on the coast, most would argue that the local music scene is in dire straits. Luckily, answering the call for fresh blood, the still crisp creation of these ‘Graves’ events feed the mindless zombies with the best emerging bands and DJ’s around.

 

Quickly becoming the worst best secret out, Graves is an absolute club filler. In fact, a few weekends ago at the previous event, some party animals waited hours just to get inside. On the coast, this is really unheard of, especially for local acts. So once word spread of another night of mayhem, along with the official EP Launch of Yacht Club DJ’s tour buddies Bleeding Knees Club, needless to say that this night will be massive.

 

Still fresh from their support slots around Australian with the Yacht Club DJs, the Gold Coast duo of Alex and Jordan have taken great advantage of another beautiful night on the South-East by storming the small makeshift stage in Elsewhere, blowing every speaker inside with great ease. Already booked until mid-2011, gracing the stage with big names like Lightspeed Champion, The Soft Pack, Neon Indian and Wavves, the future could not be any brighter.

 

Redefining the term raw, and copulating dark blues with rock n roll swagger, the most recent single ‘Bad Guys’ easily rival the likes of The Vines. That being said, you must remember that this is an EP launch. If they sound this tight now, time is on their side. Other floor pumpers I and Have Fun continued to fuel the crowd to unthinkable levels. In true outrageous rock style, a show cannot end without a bit of crowd surfing mid song. This is authentic rock n roll, no strings or hidden gimmicks.

 

While the Sydney based 3-piece Dark Bells delivered one of the most haunting, dark, warped psychedelic performances Elsewhere would have ever witnessed, the third live band for the night and hometown heroes Depths of Balsa welcomed that old 90’s grunge back to the spot light, harder than a punch to the face. Also featuring the likes of resident DJ Audun, Casey Steele, Brisbane’s own Mitzi and the infamous Tropics, music sweetly flowed into the lucky ears of all in attendance until the wee hours of the morning.

 

The coasts most famous underground gathering is gaining popularity at an increasing rate, and without a doubt, will be the most successful revamp of promotion for local talent. It’s about time we all scream, it’s about time.

playlist #9

on current rotation…

 

1.      The Potbelleez – Trouble Trouble

“here we go now, no return, the trouble starts now”

2.      Kid Cudi – Erase Me (Feat. Kanye West)

“ave we had sex?”

3.     Fedde Le Grand – Back N Forth (Fedde’s Future Funk Remix)

“back…n forth”

4.      Boy and Bear – Fall At Your Feet (Crowded House Cover)

“ill be there when you call”

5.      Biffy Clyro – God and Satan

“i talk to god as much as i talk to satan cause i want to hear both sides”

The Potbelleez @ The Met, Brisbane (05/11/2010)

Have you ever seen the dance floor of a nightclub become a mosh pit? This simple, yet horrifying question is one no clubber wishes to answer, let alone live. Picture this, hidden within minimal light inside the typical designated area of dance, you are suddenly kicked by a crowd surfer or abused for ‘being too tall’. For one rather chaotic night, on Friday the 5^th, one of Brisbane’s most popular and dignified nightlife venues transformed into an active entertainment precinct.

 

With the typical club attendance included inside, true punters battled the rather dense surrounds the moment of entry. While the sweet sounds of Christian Luke bellowed around the multi-level maze that is The Met, swarms formed in the neighboring streets once word that the quartet were backstage ready for action.

 

Believing that a substantial amount of the crowd had no idea what they were in for, the lights dimmed, the floor filled, and the drinks began to spill. Fresh from an Australian tour, after dazzling the beautiful Gold Coast-ians at the GC 600 just a few weeks ago, the Irish/Australian electronic foursome known as The Potbelleez are back again to promote their yet to be released new album Destination Now. Produced by the legendary Paul Mac and Justin Shave, with help from Christian Luke, the follow-up to the self-titled debut and ‘must own’ party album is currently one of the most wished for stocking fillers this Christmas for all party animals.

 

With Dave and Johnny behind the decks keeping the music free flowing, the deliciously beautiful Blu and obvious Miike Snow inspired fan Ilan take their mics with pride. Released in July, the early taste of Destination Now, in the form of electro-driven dance floor filler banger “Hello”, is truly welcomed well. The explosive crowd participation witnessed during the chant-filled chorus is near deafening, however quickly forgotten during the infectious styling’s and beat behind body shaking, bad boy anthem “Trouble Trouble” up next.

 

Crowd surfing soon followed as bodies began to rise on shoulders of sweaty punters. New single Shake It and classic oldie Junkyard only caused greater chaos for the clubs security staff, hopefully being paid overtime for the extremity of their job during this event. Continuing to gain greater energy, the audience were luckily treated with an original ‘pants filling’ remix of Deamdmau5’s ‘Ghosts ‘N’ Stuff’ with a little sample from Fat Boy Slim’s hit ‘Right Here Right Now’ hidden away inside.

 

After an emotional, high octane performance of the air strumming classic ‘Are You with Me’, spectators all around the club demanded more while the band departed the stage. Possibly louder than most rock concerts, the screams and whistles obviously got through as the group of four returned for an encore repeat of the newie ‘Shake It’ to the over-enthused, ultra sweaty participants. Handing duties straight back to friend and maestro Christian Luke, Brisbane were lucky enough to witness one of the country’s best, vibrant and most energetic live bands around today .

 

That being said, answer the original question asked in the first paragraph after going to a Potblelleez gig. The dance floor will never be the same again.