Pictured: WAAX
The Brisbane based music festival and BIGSOUND has come and gone for another year, but the amazing performances we saw have stuck with us for the days since. We’ve spend the weekend reflecting on all the incredible showcases we saw, and now we’re bringing you our list of the 15 best… in no particular order they are:
Sahara Beck
I can not quite put into words what and exceptional performer this young woman is! She had more than a bit of sass to her performance and went from crooner to bad-ass in one swift song change. Her self proclaimed Elvis cross S. Beck (herself) was damn awesome. Together with her band, the ensemble was flawless. Every extra stop during a piece was perfectly timed and rehearsed. A sensational set.
Polish Club
Polish Club were a standout for a number of reasons but most of all, they were fun! The gritty garage rock two-piece aren’t afraid to throw themselves into the action, flirting with a variety of genres and filling their set with plenty of experimental flare. The band’s excitement was contagious and it was great to see a band just have a great time in a refreshingly honest kind of way. At first they come across as a bit of a rougher no-fuss band, but there’s clearly some serious talent behind those thrashing drums and frenetic guitar.
WAAX
Opening the festival for myself and proving to be one of my highlights was raucous Brisbane noisemakers WAAX. Blistering their way through a short set, front woman Marie DeVita cemented herself as an unstoppable force, twisting, contorting and just going all around ape-shit on the stage. Their punk stained brand of rock captivated the audience and riled the crowd up for what proved to be a big few days. Not to mention a killer cover of Inhaler by Foals which the crowd gorged on with audible delight.
The Rumjacks
These Celtic-Punk Rockers were something else. Their fusion of Irish folk tunes coupled with the specifics of Punk Rock was awesome. What was better was watching this all unfold from behind a hardcore mosh at the edge of the stage. The frontman was charismatic and carried the band well. There were also so incredibly authentic Irish and Punk sounds going on. Very cool.
Mojo Juju
Without question one of the most fun sets we’d see all weekend. And she was on FIRE, delivering some of the best vocals we’d see all week, with just the right amount of attitude to go along with it.
Ann Vriend
The Canadian songstress impressed me way more than I though she would. Having just picked a name of a list for this time slot on Thursday night, her Retro Soul-Blues style of music was a breach of fresh air in among the alternative and indie bands featured heavily at BIGSOUND. Her vocals were insane! Just so powerful, full, rich and technically impressive.
The Belligerents
The Belligerents have always had no trouble getting a crowd to have a dance, and their Bigsound set was no exception. So often the showcases can feel a little overly thought-out or stiff, but that was never the case with these Brisbane locals. Their showmanship wasn’t the all warranted attention either, this band has really matured of late and are settling into their own psych pop/rock niche and it’s great to hear some new material from them.
Good Boy
Brisbane three piece weren’t an official BIGSOUND live act, but played at the Oztix party. The bands sound is reminiscent of a lower-fi Bombay Bicycle Club, and with just one single out, are set for great things with their next release.
Gordi
Gordi was one of many supremely talented female musicians featured a Bigsound this year. Her set stood out because of the fresh, raw sound she’s experimenting with at the moment. As a relative newcomer, it was great to see her pull a decent sized crowd early in the night and she certainly held her own. Juggling vocals, guitar and keyboard throughout the showcase, her quirky melodies and hooks left a lasting impression.
Harts
One of the biggest names on the bill and for good reason was guitar wizard Darren Hart (aka Harts) as the Foundry turned into a sardine can of punters and delegates eager to catch a glimpse of Melbourne’s answer to Prince. A one-man music making machine, his unique blend of bluesy rock guitar with funk undertones made for a killer live set of grooving. With album number two on the way, Harts is surfacing as one of the best live performers in Australia and if his previous successes are anything to go by, I believe his rise to the top will be paved with greatness.
Pearls
A huge surprise at the festival, the five piece feature a trio of singers and a mish mash of music that comes together to form something completely their own. Reminds me a bit, musically, of Canada’s July Talk – who were the talk of the festival last year – and they have without question proven themselves as one of the artists to watch from the festival.
Koi Child
Closing the insane two days of live music was Koi Child who brought an injection of hip hop and jazz fusion to the Mane stage at the Woolly Mammoth. Free flowing with an organic soul backed by experimental jazz, led by a horn-based procession, it’s easy to make comparisons to early Roots vibes. Having already caught the eye of Tame Impala’s Kevin Parker, I’m interested to see where this collective is heading into the future.
Slum Sociable
Slum Sociable pulled together an incredibly tight set for their various Bigsound parties and showcases. The confidence and interconnectivity onstage was flawless, and gave the impression that they’re set for much bigger stages. Opening with their most known song “Anyway”, Slum Sociable went into their deeper cuts off their upcoming EP.
The John Steel Singers
Brisbane upbeat collective John Steel Singers had at some points 10 members onstage, including Dean from Rolls Bayce / Hungry Kids on backing vocals (sunglasses and all), but the sound was still clear and concise. Previewing cuts off their upcoming album “Midnight at the Plutonium”, their new release is definitely something to get excited about. And believe us when we say that it’s not what you’d expect… “funky” is the first word that comes to mind…
Halcyon Drive
This Melbourne group are proving themselves to be one of the most interesting bands in Australia right now, and their sets at BIGSOUND only cemented this. A must see live act, with some fantastic music to boot. That jam at the end of their set? Pure gold.
Article by Lauren Baxter, Clare Armstrong, Bree Cohen, Aidan Hogg and Larry Heath
