Night 1 - Inland Sea, Gossling, Tiny Ruins, Boy in a Box, emma louise, The Medics, The Chemist, Jinja Safari, The Paper Scissors, Velociraptor
BIGSOUND. 8 venues. 30 minute sets. 20 minute turnaround. And it's back with a vengeance for another year, trying to be bigger, better and louder then the years gone by. The line up itself was truly stunning, and with so many bands that I wanted to see, it was a mission to try and fit them all in. I totalled 18 sets over two nights. That's personal improvement over last years effort. A had planned at least 4 more on top of that, but you know event such as this. It doesn't always go according to plan. My overall plan was to see those that I loved, but to try an experience as many new bands as possible also. Yes, yes, this is only a snapshot of what's on offer from these talented people, but if it isn't the best they have to offer then there's something wrong!
First up for my night was the orchestra that is Inland Sea showcasing The Zoo. With 10 members in the band, seven of who are frontline, it baffles me as to how this band can function. Having seen them a couple of times now, I have come to understand that every member does have their own role and has their own opportunity to stand out. The strings for example are not just accompanying instruments like in other bands, but actually carry the melodies through different pieces. The lead vocals are also shared around the different members of the group which provides an interesting variety between the songs. I do enjoy what these guys have to offer, it is something completely different to bands of a smaller size, just because of the different combinations of instruments they can utilise.
A short walk away was Gossling at the Black Bear Lodge. This particular showcase for me was a bit of a chance due to the fact that I hadn't heard of her before. However, this chance was more than worth the risk. She was simply stunning - just a young woman and her piano Her voice is to date the squeakiest sounding thing I have ever heard, yet, it was beautiful. As I walked up the stairs of the venue she was already singing, and i believed this to be just her singing voice, but no, this is her normal voice also. I won't lie, it was a little surprising. Her songs were all so different yet unified under her niche. I really do want to find her EPs and listen to some more of what I've heard, because I would love to delve deeper into what she has to offer.
I took another chance with Tiny Ruins, another female singer songwriter at Ric's Bar, and you know what? After hearing Gossling not two minutes before it was a complete let down. I'm sure she is wonderful in her own right, but after hearing something so unique and beautiful, she was lacking something special, something that made you go WOW. And so I left her play to Ric's Bar, and headed off to the Bakery Land Stage to catch the end Boy in an Box. I'd hear of these guys, and one of their songs, however, not much else. So it was great to be able to see them for the first time, and come away knowing straight away that I wanted to hear more. They had presence, they had good songs, and to top it all off, they had matching white shirts. Cute.
emma lousie is an interesting character. She stormed into he music scene earlier this year and since then has taken a firm standing with very little effort. Whatever she does, she is loved and she has a blue parrot which goes almost everywhere with her. I like what she does and what she has to offer, but at the same time, I don't quite get all the hype. She is brilliant, don't get me wrong, but I can't put my finger on it. 'Jungle' is a stellar song and I love that every song has a story behind it. She is a wonderfully talented songwriter, maybe it's just they all sound a little similar sometimes? I don't know. Maybe I'm just being harsh. Regardless, her performance on stage at The Zoo brought a massive crowd, and she did not disappoint them at all. For me, this is the first time I had seen the beautiful Hannah Shepherd join her in her entourage, and it made a lovely difference to the texture in her live sound.
The first time I saw The Medics was this time last year, and I remember being impressed with the diversity that they brought to the stage. Tonight's showcase at the Bakery Lane Stage was no different. Having looked them up a little more, and become more familiar with their work, it was brilliant to hear a amazing rendition of 'Joseph', which is easily my favourite song of theirs. With these guys maybe its a case of the more you listen to something, the more you like it. The different vocal tones colours between the main vocalist, and the drummer was an interesting contrast that works in the bands favour. This showcase made me want to scroll down in my music library and rediscover what else this band has to offer! This is a good thing.
A new addition to BIGSOUND this year was the inclusion of Electric Playground as a playing venue. I'd never been to this place before, and was a little sceptical as to how it was going to go as a live music venue, but you know what? It's pretty rad! And to see The Chemist here was a wondrous things. I love this band to pieces! They are pretty freaking talented. I also love what they do as a band. It's all a bit different, for example the way the frontman plays he guitar. At one point her was playing a riff that included the strumming of the strings above the neck of the guitar, near the pegs to create one of the notes. Just watching this band gives a whole new meaning to live music. You can listen to this band on record and have no idea of the intricacies of that is involved in playing the particular song. I also dig the old school effects mic that is used. It creates such a unique sound that we've all come to know and love about this band.
Making a dash back to The Zoo, I was only a tiny bit late for the start of Jinja Safari. I still managed to get a good spot for the set though which I was the best things that happened all night. Again with this band, I know and love them on record, but had not heard them live. And, oh my. The are freakingsweet! I don't know of any other band that not only uses a keytar, but also a sitar! Who uses a real sitar in live performances nowadays! Jinja Safari that's who! These hippies were easily the highlight of my night making me grin like a maniac for the entire set. For me? That is rare. More often than I'd like to admit, I'm the kind of person to get distracted during a set and check my phone, but not with this band. This is probably the only set apart form Gossling who managed to achieve this. 'Peter Pan' for me is a big winner for this band. It is an amazing song that captures everthing this band is about. Wow. That's all.
I decided to head back the the Black Bear Lodge to catch a bit of The Paper Scissors but you know what? I just couldn't stay. I was on such a high from Jinja Safari that I was in need of something that would keep that vibe going. Unfortunately that was not this band at that point in their set. So I decided to try Velociraptor, but as soon as I walked into Electric Playground it was overflowing with people, and I just didn't want to deal with that.
So as it turned out, Jinja Safari was the last real set in my night. And what a night it was. So much amazing music. So much damage to my poor ears. So much sleep lost. But you know what? So totoally worth it. One of the best musical experiences to date. And the best part? It all started again at 8pm the next night. Bring it on!
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