It was stinky hot, there wasn’t a cloud in the sky and the grass was looking greener than ever at the Brisbane Showgrounds. But the grass was definitely not greener on the other side when the clock struck 6pm and the announcement that The 1975 would not be playing their headlining set due to front man Matty’s hospitalisation. Disappointing to say the least I had been hanging out all day waiting for their performance but despite it being very upsetting the other artists I saw perform did a bloody incredible job and it was still a fabulous day.
OLIVER TREE
I have never heard of Oliver Tree before but as I entered the show grounds his set was going off and the mosh pit was packed so there was no way I was going to miss out on the fun. The twenty-six year old artist turned viral sensation rocked the stage with the same high intensity he showcases in all of his music videos. Repping his signature bowl cut, speed dealer glasses and multicoloured jump suit, Tree smashed out singles Hurt and Alien Boy and the crowd went wild. Watching Tree jump around the stage was like seeing a kid who had smashed to many lollies. He was maniac, unpredictable and at times scary but he was so exciting to watch it was impossible to look away. Singles Miracle Man and Cash Machine got the crowd singing along and tune When I’m Down brought out the best and the worst dance moves in everyone. Oliver Tree was an incredible performer and a very expressive person even when he was just standing there talking shit. I’m definitely glad I caught his weird and wonderful set.
TONES & I
Everyone can say whatever they want about Tones and I but I think she is awesome. Not only does she have catchy tracks that get stuck in your head but she’s also a passionate performer and plays a lot of her filler tracks live proving just how talented she is. After missing her set at last years Splendour in the Grass there was no way I was also missing out on this one and I’m so glad I was there to experience the magic. Playing tracks such as Johnny Run Away and Never Seen The Rain, Tones and I rocked the stage in her red track suit combo and triple j cap which has quickly become her signature look. All of her tunes are the perfect recipe for a killer sing along and her fans were so responsive that at times it was hard to hear her over all their voices. Tones and I also smashed out some killer covers of Forever Young by Youth Group and Drop The Game by Flume and Chet Faker. But the biggest praise of all was definitely saved for the end of her set when Tones and I begun that unforgettable starting keys of triple j Hottest 100 qualifier track Dance Monkey. People were running from all corners of the festival with their hands already in the sky and dancing like idiots to one of the catchiest tracks of 2019. Tones and I produced so much energy on the stage throughout her entire set and her unforgettable and super unique voice was everything you wanted it to be, and more.
HOCKEY DAD
Hockey Dad are one of my favourite surf rock bands to come out of Australia and there isn’t a track I don’t love or a live show I didn’t loose my shit over. Their high energy and exciting sets are the reason they are loved by so many people and their 45 minute performance at Laneway only cemented that love even more. Hockey Dad weren’t letting a minute go to waste, they started smashing out all their best tracks with Jump The Gun and Join The Club getting the crowd pumping. Generally a two piece band, this was the first time I had seen Hockey Dad perform as a three piece with a fill in bassist showing his skills and further bringing up the energy of main members Billy and Zach. When watching the boys on stage its impossible to look away, their on stage energy is addictive and there isn’t a moment that goes by where the crowd isn’t skulling a beer, crowd surfing or dancing their hearts out. Catchy tunes such as Sweet Release and I Wanna Be Everybody had the mosh pit going crazy as shoes, cans and bodies were flying through the air simultaneously. When you get to the root of Hockey Dad as a band they manage to tackle all-too-relatable themes of anxiety and social pressures with the guidance of gut wrenching hooks, stellar riffs, and head-pounding drums. There’s nothing egotistical about it they are just a band who is young and who cares, but that is why they are everyone’s favourite DAD. Hockey Dad get better and better every time I see them live and I will take every chance I can to see them perform over and over again.
OCEAN ALLEY
Ocean Alley can do no wrong. They are one of my favourite bands of all time and there isn’t a single song I don’t love. They are incredible performers and even better musicians and their live shows are flawless to the point it sounds like a mastered recording. Kicking off their set with single Knees (which is one of my personal favourites) Ocean Alley instantly caught the attention of everyone at the festival. With their feel good vibe getting everyone into a relaxed groove, Ocean Alley rolled through every single you could possibly want to hear. From Yellow Mellow to Stained Glass and even dropping in their new track Tombstone, Ocean Alley were playing their hearts out and everyone’s energy was through the roof. Everything about them is atmospheric, their music and vibe is built for stadium performances and there isn’t a single moment in life where watching Ocean Alley perform couldn’t make you feel better. Front man Baden has the voice of a literal god, and the incredible cohesiveness of all of the band playing their instruments together is nothing short of perfect. The Comedown, Confidence, Infinity and Bones were just some of the tracks they played during their set and I can confidently say there wasn’t a track they missed from their set or a song they didn’t absolutely nail. I didn’t take much notice of what was happening on stage because I was to busy with my eyes closed feeling every bit of their music while singing too loudly to every word of every song. Ocean Alley are an incredible band who perform to such a high standard. I can’t think of a more perfect vibe for a summer day in Australia surrounded by good company and an ice cold beer then to have Ocean Alley’s tracks on repeat!
RUEL
Sydney based singer songwriter Ruel may be in the early days of his career but he is truly a superstar on the rise. I don’t think its ridiculous to say he’s the Australian version of Justin Bieber, but when I was in the crowd and surrounded by almost every under 18 attendee at the festival I started to feel a little out of place. Taking to the mic surrounded by a musical team all wearing Ruel merchandise, the screams from the crowd were deafening. Kicking off tracks such as Dazed & Confused and one of my favourites Not Thinking Bout You, the crowd knew every single word and passionately sang along with Ruel who showcased his incredible vocal range. The whole crowd was full of love and tracks like Painkiller and his most recent single Down For You had everyone hugging their mates and dancing together. Ruel is definitely a performer at heart and you could tell he loved every minute of being up on the stage. He engaged with the crowd every chance he could and you could hear the passion in his voice with every word he spoke. For a youngster he performed like a seasoned pro and its clear why he is a favourite to many.
CHARLI XCX
Although I am not the biggest fan of Charli XCX I have to give her some massive props for her performance at Laneway. Despite being alone on a relatively minimalist stage, backed only by a large illuminated cube, her stage presence had the ability to fill the showgrounds with an insane amount of energy. Charli did well to carry her own through every single and although she was assisted by some light auto-tune it was no means a cover up of anything her vocals were lacking. She hit every note and vocal run with genuine purpose and perfection and the vocal processing merely added to her futuristic pop style sound. Playing tracks such as Vroom Vroom and Boys, Charli had the whole crowd wrapped around her little finger and everyone looked like they were having a bloody good time. I’m not super familiar with Charli’s music but I was very impressed with how much energy and effort she put into every song she chose to perform, there wasn’t a single where she wasn’t either engaging with the crowd or dancing like a maniac. Finishing off her set with single 1999, the lights on stage turned green and the crowd went wild. Being one of her most popular recently released singles, Charli ended her set on a massive high and the crowd left happy.
St Jerome’s Laneway Festival in Brisbane 2020 was one hell of a festival and I’m excited to see what 2021 brings!
