It's The Animals!!! Oh wait, no, it's The Frowning Clouds... @ City Square, Swanston Street
Over the past week Melbourne’s been a little spoilt; with freebies spotted all over our fantastic city. Everything from acoustic performances on trams to full scale concerts in Federation Square have come together in the first “Melbourne Music” event – one which has embraced some of the lesser known talents about town, the love of the arts in Australia’s music capital, and the coming of warmer weather. Resulting in successes all round, Melbourne Music looks like something that’ll be back in years to come.
It’s been pretty hard to miss the free concerts about town – with the new City Square stage attracting as many unaware passersby as it did fans of the bands playing, and Fed Square booming on a couple of occasions.
In a massive kick to the teeth, avid St Kilda supporter, Dan Sultan, led the charge at Fed Square last Saturday post Collingwood’s thrashing of his Saints. Though no loss for his beloved team was getting in the way of his show; the man proving why he’s Melbourne’s favourite son and why you don’t have to pay for quality live shows – as did Melbourne bands Eagle & The Worm, Dan Kelly’s Dream Band and British India before him.
Dan Kelly's Dream Band trippin' @ Fed Square
Seriously though, Dan Sultan is a purebred performer – busting out all his big soul rock numbers to make the very most of his band. There was probably no better choice to launch the week.
Dan Sultan 'I Like It' - song title says it all!
What followed throughout the week were concerts on trains, trams, in the city centre, at stations, at the Arts Centre and all over the joint. Making the most of the City Square Stage – an installation across Collins Street from Melbourne Town Hall – on Wednesday night was local trio The Hazelman Brothers, who played a set of acoustic guitars and harmonies powered by a trailer bearing solar panels. And they only just went under 100 per cent post sundown; a fact that meant they could have played all night despite the overcast charging throughout the day!
City Square was certainly the key venue throughout the week, with concerts timed perfectly for anyone wanting to skip their homebound train to catch some tunes.
Jonathon Boulet gets people on their feet with 'A Community Service Announcement'
Melbourne Music was also the perfect opportunity to launch Fed Square Live - what is to be a fortnightly event at said venue that will feature our best emerging artists. Thursday evening saw the likes of Skipping Girl Vinegar and Jonathon Boulet launch the event – both charming acts drawing a nicely sized crowd.
Skipping Girl Vinegar rockin' out @ Fed Square
The biggest highlight of the launch (and there were a few) had to go to an old dude in the crowd rather than either of the bands. His martial arts style dance moves had the seated listeners amused and, eventually, up and dancing along. A true sport who’ll hopefully return in a couple of weeks when [ME] and Mr. Percival hit the stage.
Stealing the show: This old dude knows what the kids like
Jess McAvoy plays to a quizzical few @ Southern Cross Station
Finally, this last weekend supplied plenty for those wanting to get a final fix of freebies (and again for those not quite sure why there was a proper set up for Jess McAvoy and her guitar in the middle of Southern Cross). The Bedroom Philosopher – who’d previously sung about the 86 tram on, you guessed it, the 86 tram – entertained some hardcore fans and passersby at the tram stop in Bourke Street Mall; happily obliging “requests” by making up his own melody and words to the likes of Six Months In A Leaky Boat.
Sunday saw Oh Mercy close the whole event back at City Square – there breezy pop charming one of the bigger crowds on what was one the first “awesome weather” days of the season.
So, what more could we ask from this Melbourne Music event? Firstly, that it returns next year. Perhaps it could be extended – that’d be nice, especially if promotion was more heavy-on. The variety of locations this time around was great, as were the acts – though there’s certainly plenty more that’ll be wanting a piece of it next time. Overall, though – well done M-Town!!!
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