Icehouse w/- The Whitlams & Diesel - Sandstone Point Hotel, 30th Jan 2016
Words: Todd Lockley
Severe weather warnings, hints of last minute cancellation and a venue two hours from the city via public transport; all things that don't scream "Hooray, this will be a great day!". But considering some punters travelling to Bribie Island had come from as far as Fremantle, Western Australia (this reviewer) to see Diesel (minus the Johnny and the Injectors part), the mighty Whitlams and Australia's most underrated yet iconic bands from the 80's, Icehouse, 100% commitment was a must. The punters would be rewarded ten fold.
The Sandstone Point hotel carpark was bursting at the seams as dreary, wet, miserable looking people bounded inside to catch the first slice of the Australian Rock N Roll pie. Diesel made the best of the shittiest weather to ever make it's way to an open air amphitheatre, kicking things off with One More Time then splashing about to Man Alive and other classics Soul Revival, Don't Need Love and Come To Me.
The best places to sit had been claimed rather early and the crowd was a coloured spectacle of plastic ponchos, Bunnings rain coats and the dummies who decided to ignore the rain and weather warnings. But this was a day where no ones’ parade was to be rained upon, with a solid section of the more "well off" VIP people throwing caution to the wind and dancing up a storm to the JD classics Tip Of My Tongue and farewell anthem from the 80's Cry In Shame.
After a brief rain shower, Timothy Freedman entered stage right and plonked himself down in his piano chair. With no fan fare or introduction, he launched into the first gem from his Eternal Nightcap of tricks Buy Now, Pay Later. It was beautiful and added that little suggestion of elegance to the day that was previously lacking. As the song ended the other members of The Whitlams took their positions across the stage and No Aphrodisiac was lapped up like a fine wine (and a dash of loneliness).
There was a little crowd interaction through Thank You (For Loving Me At My Worst) - the crowd were drenched but then they cheered. The dark clouds were abundant for Keep The Light On and puddles being pummeled for Year Of The Rat, name sakes Gough and classic I Make Hamburgers - more sauce indeed Tim!, more sauce indeed.
A deeper-than-the-ocean groove set in for Fall For You, as axe man Jak Housden's guitar took over and his whisper vocals melted in with Freedman’s. The whispers were turned upside dow; they would not go quietly as The Whitlams bid farewell with the bounce along song about Duffy, Duffy's Song. Tim had made mention of the weather earlier in the day in the intro to rainy city anthem Melbourne, however rain, hail or shine, these guys were the latter as they almost stole performance of the day from the headliners. Cheers Mr Richmond for the drum sticks!
The Sandstone Point hotel carpark was bursting at the seams as dreary, wet, miserable looking people bounded inside to catch the first slice of the Australian Rock N Roll pie. Diesel made the best of the shittiest weather to ever make it's way to an open air amphitheatre, kicking things off with One More Time then splashing about to Man Alive and other classics Soul Revival, Don't Need Love and Come To Me.
The best places to sit had been claimed rather early and the crowd was a coloured spectacle of plastic ponchos, Bunnings rain coats and the dummies who decided to ignore the rain and weather warnings. But this was a day where no ones’ parade was to be rained upon, with a solid section of the more "well off" VIP people throwing caution to the wind and dancing up a storm to the JD classics Tip Of My Tongue and farewell anthem from the 80's Cry In Shame.
After a brief rain shower, Timothy Freedman entered stage right and plonked himself down in his piano chair. With no fan fare or introduction, he launched into the first gem from his Eternal Nightcap of tricks Buy Now, Pay Later. It was beautiful and added that little suggestion of elegance to the day that was previously lacking. As the song ended the other members of The Whitlams took their positions across the stage and No Aphrodisiac was lapped up like a fine wine (and a dash of loneliness).
There was a little crowd interaction through Thank You (For Loving Me At My Worst) - the crowd were drenched but then they cheered. The dark clouds were abundant for Keep The Light On and puddles being pummeled for Year Of The Rat, name sakes Gough and classic I Make Hamburgers - more sauce indeed Tim!, more sauce indeed.
A deeper-than-the-ocean groove set in for Fall For You, as axe man Jak Housden's guitar took over and his whisper vocals melted in with Freedman’s. The whispers were turned upside dow; they would not go quietly as The Whitlams bid farewell with the bounce along song about Duffy, Duffy's Song. Tim had made mention of the weather earlier in the day in the intro to rainy city anthem Melbourne, however rain, hail or shine, these guys were the latter as they almost stole performance of the day from the headliners. Cheers Mr Richmond for the drum sticks!
Soon the storm front kicked into over drive. The view looking up was lit with more than an electric feel. Daggers of lightning shot across the night sky! As the soaked crowd glanced to the stage and rain spat in their faces, things went dark. And then there was Icehouse! As one, the elements were kicked to the curb and the pool party went up a notch.
By the time third tune, Hey Little Girl, synthed it's way to the people at the back, the people at the front had taken over the walkways to anywhere. Blankets, chairs and any other earthly belongings towards the front were now fair game as sitting was no longer an option for anyone. And how could you sit down whilst Electric Blue was being performed with perfect precision? Bolts of electricity bounced across the big screen behind frontman Iva Davies, just as the sky overhead lit up in its own electric light show.
Touch The Fire had all remembering just how amazing this band are (not were), whilst a three-piece acoustic guitar ensemble, lead by Davies, made Street Café all the more memorable. The vocal lead was switched up for the beautiful Man Of Colours, as 30 year old singer/songwriter Michael Paynter excelled in the spot light whilst Davies played the haunting clarinet sections.
A special mention has to be made of amazing saxophonist Glenn Reither, who popped up in the spotlight throughout the night, often drenched in pink, white or purple light that danced around him in the rain. Reither's intro to Don't Believe Anymore was made all the more epic as the heavens opened up and everyone in attendance rejoiced in defiance to the rain gods, chanting the lyrics along with Davies. This gig was one for the ages! So much fun and so very entertaining for all the right, and wrong, reasons.
As that "oh so familiar" keyboard creep of Great Southern Land perked up the ears of all in attendance, Davies mentioned "You might know this one I reckon! If you're not standing up then now's the time to do it pleas. , Get up! Get involved!" as the biggest crowd sing along to one of the unofficial Australian National anthems wrapped up the mains set. A shout out to major inspiration Marc Boland was not out of place as the groove of T Rex's Get It On had a lot of lovers slow dancing in the mud.
The encore saw the first requests for crowd participation from Iva as all in attendance rehearsed the "Ohs!" for the very best and sexy Can't Help Myself before We Can Get Together released a new years eve feel amongst the capacity crowd. One of the best gigs ever was recorded in the memory banks of all that attended.
It was soggy, it was miserable, it was wet, it was rainy but it was so fucking amazing! Music conquers all! Icehouse and The Whitlams with a little bit of Diesel, burning down the house. Hot Damn!
By the time third tune, Hey Little Girl, synthed it's way to the people at the back, the people at the front had taken over the walkways to anywhere. Blankets, chairs and any other earthly belongings towards the front were now fair game as sitting was no longer an option for anyone. And how could you sit down whilst Electric Blue was being performed with perfect precision? Bolts of electricity bounced across the big screen behind frontman Iva Davies, just as the sky overhead lit up in its own electric light show.
Touch The Fire had all remembering just how amazing this band are (not were), whilst a three-piece acoustic guitar ensemble, lead by Davies, made Street Café all the more memorable. The vocal lead was switched up for the beautiful Man Of Colours, as 30 year old singer/songwriter Michael Paynter excelled in the spot light whilst Davies played the haunting clarinet sections.
A special mention has to be made of amazing saxophonist Glenn Reither, who popped up in the spotlight throughout the night, often drenched in pink, white or purple light that danced around him in the rain. Reither's intro to Don't Believe Anymore was made all the more epic as the heavens opened up and everyone in attendance rejoiced in defiance to the rain gods, chanting the lyrics along with Davies. This gig was one for the ages! So much fun and so very entertaining for all the right, and wrong, reasons.
As that "oh so familiar" keyboard creep of Great Southern Land perked up the ears of all in attendance, Davies mentioned "You might know this one I reckon! If you're not standing up then now's the time to do it pleas. , Get up! Get involved!" as the biggest crowd sing along to one of the unofficial Australian National anthems wrapped up the mains set. A shout out to major inspiration Marc Boland was not out of place as the groove of T Rex's Get It On had a lot of lovers slow dancing in the mud.
The encore saw the first requests for crowd participation from Iva as all in attendance rehearsed the "Ohs!" for the very best and sexy Can't Help Myself before We Can Get Together released a new years eve feel amongst the capacity crowd. One of the best gigs ever was recorded in the memory banks of all that attended.
It was soggy, it was miserable, it was wet, it was rainy but it was so fucking amazing! Music conquers all! Icehouse and The Whitlams with a little bit of Diesel, burning down the house. Hot Damn!