The Bleach* Festival promises to unleash an ‘artistic tidal wave that engulfs the Gold Coast’ and it all began with a rocking Opening Party last Friday night
A collision of art, music and surf culture, Bleach* started strong at the Coolangatta Hotel. The festival showcases national musical talent as well as up and coming and local artists, so it was fitting that young guns, Oceanics, kicked things off. The Gold Coast four piece proved there is fresh talent on its way up in our sunny state. With obvious influences such as The Strokes and Mystery Jets, the guys have embraced a popular sound and made it their own with the sweet and strong vocals of Elliot Weston. Certainly the swell has only just begun for Oceanics.
The highlight of the party however was Melbourne band Loon Lake. The band of brothers Simon, Sam and Nick, and friends Tim and Dan, injected their own brand of playful energy into the room. Offering a mix of fresh material and popular favourites including ‘Cherry Lips’, Loon Lake kept the crowd hooked with their signature winning melodies and cheek. ‘You’re Bad to Me’ and ‘In the Summer’ showed why these guys have won hearts all over, and a sensational cover of ‘I Believe in a Thing Called Love’, borrowed from The Darkness, closed the set and cemented Loon Lake as Aussie slacker pop royalty.
A complete change of tempo came with the arrival of Oh Mercy to the stage, with the Melbourne outfit typically aloof and full of retro style. While this successful five-piece were who many of the punters had come to see, they didn’t play a hard and fast set of hits; instead, their gig was typically moody, with a mix of new material and even a Lou Reed cover thrown in. Eventually the hypnotic beat and toe-curling base of ‘Deep Heat’ had the room in a trance, and when ‘My Man’ was delivered in all its smouldering glory, the crowd seemed to think it was all well worth the wait.
Rating: 3 ½ stars out of 5
Bleach* Festival: Opening Party
Featuring Oh Mercy, Loon Lake, Oceanics
The Coolangatta Hotel, Coolangatta
22 February
Bleach* Festival
www.bleachfestival.com.au
22 February – 3 March
