‘Riverstage Birthday Bash’ // Brisbane Festival
‘Riverstage Birthday Bash’ was atmospheric.
Saturday night was one to remember with a line-up of exciting acts kicking off Riverstage’s 30th birthday celebrations. The Riverstage is an iconic outdoor, live music venue, located in the heart of Brisbane. Since being opened in 1989, the Riverstage has been integral to Brisbane’s music culture. This month marks 30 years on from its opening, a span of decades which has seen Brisbane host some of Australia’s most iconic and diverse shows.
With a line-up of internationally successful Australian bands – including Hot Dub Time Machine, Cub Sport, Confidence Man, Last Dinosaurs and Clea – this was sure to be a memorable celebration.
Brisbane artist Clea kicked off the show with her silky-smooth vocals and bashful but beautiful stage presence. Her stage presence is enchanting and light and her performance was authentic, intimate, and engaging. Following her set was the ever-important Welcome to Country, which highlighted how the Riverstage is built on Meanjin (the Turrbal word for the spike of land on which Brisbane is built) and how its deeply connected to the lands and cultures of the Turrbal and Yuggara nations.
Indie rock band, Last Dinosaurs were next to perform, with their hypnotic melodies, lyrical laments and swirling guitar riffs that captured the entire audience. Lead singer Sean Caskey’s dynamic and smooth vocals were a highlight. Just like any birthday party, the night took a turn as Confidence Man took the stage with its funky pop hits. This was a band full of wild characters and the audience was surely impressed with choreographed dance routines and their ecstatic energy.
Brisbane indie-pop band Cub Sport was next on stage to deliver an earnest, love-filled and dreamy performance. Lead singer Tim Nelson’s soaring vocals were enchanting and angelic and a performance of their never heard before music was thrilling to be a part of.
Finally, the audience was hit by the extraordinary party experience that was Hot Dub Time Machine. Sydney based Tom Loud’s ‘dance-through-the-decades’ audio-visual party concept, created in 2011, has since taken the world by storm, playing songs from every decade and genre. He performed a stellar set that was impossible not to enjoy, and the crowd were on their feet dancing up a storm.
The atmosphere built throughout the night was electric and fun. With smoke machines and impressive lighting designs, the entire Riverstage became one large gathering of souls. The lineup was promising, and they delivered in spades. The vibe for Brisbane’s Riverstage Birthday Bash was incredibly enjoyable. What a great start to their 30th year with a night full of celebrations, and what a great addition to the 2019 Brisbane Festival!
For more information about what’s on during the Brisbane Festival, visit the Brisbane Festival Website.
