:: Queenscliff Music Festival - November 2005

By: Mark Rasmussen

There aren't too many more picturesque settings to host a music festival than Queenscliff, and so it was that I found my way down there for the last weekend in November.

Friday:
After time to unwind I made my way over to the Bay Stage for Welcome drinks where I got to meet both Malcolm Russell and Richard Moffat, the co-programmers who had put together this great line up. After the usual meet and greet I moved over to the Concert Stage to catch Sarah Blasko. With a live to air for ABC National Radio, this was one performance that reached much further than the 100's of people standing in front of her. After a slight technical glitch that saw the power drop out mid song, Sarah had the whole audience enchanted especially after her brilliant cover of Cold Chisel's, Flame Trees. From there I decided to take a look at That 1 Guy, whose self-made instrument resembled that of a vacuum cleaner but it was not only very funky and effective but totally unique. Moving back to the Concert Stage Ash Grunwald immediately put people in the groove with his own definitive style of blues'n'roots. A massive dark storm cloud threatened to steal the show but Ash being Ash blew it away.

Sophie Koh was one act I had only recently discovered and with a show at the Prime Mover venue (the Big Top), this demure little thing with the powerful voice and even bigger personality, filled every corner with some beautiful tunes. People flooded in during her performance. Watch her star rise! Local hero Mia Dyson possibly stole the night with a rockin' show befitting her recent ARIA win for best Blues & Roots album. A cracking version of her song Roll Me Out made the crowd go ballistic and she subsequently got the best crowd response for the Friday night. Changing complete direction, I visited the Foot In The Door stage, where I found the Jazzenodians shaking the place with their brand of vibrant, upbeat modern jazz. They had great diversity and I found their show enjoyable. They were also the first act to play a crowd encore.

Where I went from there was something completely different again. Warako Musica at the Prime Mover were an intoxicating act to watch with their hip-shaking African rhythms and beats. Again, this tent was rockin' (and not for the last time). Some of the crowd rushed the stage to dance themselves crazy. Taking it down a notch or three I watched Tony Joe White, one of the big international draw cards, who played some lovely lo-fi, slow groove blues. Very mellow; very cool!

Saturday:
What better way to ease into the longest part of the festival than witnessing the Gyuto Monks of Tibet perform their deep, guttural chants. The Dalai Lama resided over proceedings, albeit by in picture form only. Decided to check out the Market Stalls and trinkets on offer in the main street to get a fix of Western civilisation again. Walking back I managed to see Carus & The True Believers perform another amazing, energetic show in the Prime Mover tent. With electrified violin intermixed with roots, country and reggae music, it was a wild blend of what is essentially good, honest toe-tapping music. Adorning a Bert Newton t-shirt, Josh Owen is about to forge a similar path within blues/roots music. Expect him to be a force in coming years.

I was so impressed by Sophie Koh first time round, I went to see her again. Playing at the Town Hall this time, her voice carried ever so beautifully as she kept her audience captivated throughout. One of the talents of the festival and now Oz music! As I trundled back to the main area a sound of funky latin beats and soul resonated towards me. It was Sally Ford & The Pachuco Playboys. With interesting, alternative covers and remakes, this was music to shake your bon bon to. Another change in musical styles with Beau Young and his surf-type folk/rock. Son of Long Board champ Nat (and a Long Board champ himself), I found his music interesting and different.

Next stop Mark Seymour, where it was great to hear the old Hunters' classics again. Played acoustically, they were just as powerful as their original versions. He even had one or two littlies dancing. Great stuff! His performance was followed by Clare Bowditch & The Feeding Set. Ever reliable, Clare got straight into it. She's an absolute joy to behold, a great story-teller, is warm and friendly on stage and impossible not to love.
Sometimes you can have too much of a good thing, so I went back to my room for a nice relaxing spa and afternoon kip before beginning the festivities again. Well rested, I figured it was time to take in the bearded one. Jeff Lang wowed them with a solid performance of bluesmanship. The tent just kept filling up to take in this guitar virtuoso and boy were they rewarded. Moving away from the more recognisable to the unknown, it was great to see up and coming artist, Luke Watt. He will go a long way and is well worth checking out.

As the afternoon gave way to the evening, it was over to the Concert Stage to witness perhaps the highlight of the entire festival. Emiliana Torrini was just exquisite. This softly spoken Icelandic goddess, with her incredibly delicate yet powerful songs put in an amazing performance. It felt incredibly intimate and she was also a very funny storyteller. This just felt like one of those very special moments. I was glad to have witnessed it.
Just when I thought the night couldn't get any better, The Saints raised the canvas roof off the Prime Mover tent. This was one very rocking, chaotic and bloody brilliant gig. It was great to see some old stagers lead the way. To wrap up the night I decided to take in the Hi-Ball Burlesque girls. Sassy, sexy and sophisticated and with tongue-in -cheek humour. It was good, light-hearted entertainment and an ideal way to finish up the Saturday night.

Sunday:
The voice is an amazing instrument and often under-utilised. So imagine what happens when you put 80 amazing voices on stage together. The Melbourne Singers of Gospel were one powerful unit and were a nice welcome to the Sunday morning. From there I decided to scope out some fresh, emerging talent with the Grand final of the Foot in the Door comp. With jazz, blues, roots and acoustic acts, it's good to know the future of music is in very good hands!

It was time to shake things up a bit and so I took a ride on the world famous Blues Train. Four carriages or rollicking blues music, I was fortunate enough to catch Jaimi Faulkner on the first leg and Jimi Hocking on the return, both who were equally entertaining. If only train travel was always like this. Time to come down and what could be more perfect than Jose Gonzalez. This acoustic singing/songwriting sensation was easily the highlight for Sunday. With a beautiful mix of subtle guitar melodies and divine vocals, plus some great interpretative covers (including of all things Kylie‘s 'Hand On Your Heart’), Jose was utterly spellbinding.

After such a moving experience it was great to see The Wagons lighten the mood. If there was an award for most entertaining act, then they won hands down. Led by their effervescent frontman Henry Wagon, this is one band that rocks and rolls its way to a good time. Taking in some more new talent, Belinda Butler is a fresh, exciting prospect. She'll go far. Finally, it was time to wrap up proceedings with the brilliant Lior. His Eastern influences as a singer/songwriter offer a nice change of pace. With a solid performance and great on-stage persona, it's easy to see why he has become so popular.

The Queenscliff Music Festival is a great way to welcome the approaching summer and as I walked out and began to reflect, a big round of thanks must be extended to Deb, Adam, Pip, Malcolm, Richard and all the volunteers and sponsors who helped make this year's festival one of the best yet! I'll be back next year - guaranteed!