24 March 2017

My No Front Fences aftermath

| Joel Cabban
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Slowly Slowly

So, mates. I was gonna write something for you guys about a week ago, and then my life got de-railed by Mulgara’s No Front Fences festival. After 17 acts, I was pretty cooked (though probably not as cooked as Luke from Capes. That guy can party!)

Here’s a few of the coolest memories for me from each day. If you came along to NFF over the weekend, let me know your highlight! The organisers worked so hard on this one, I’m sure they’d be keen to hear your stories.

The Friday house show was a great opener to the festival! PJ Johnson fooled the audience with some sneaky guitar loops, which was subtle enough for him to put his guitar down and wander half way across the barbecue area with only a mic in hand before people caught on.

Saturday at LoBrow was the closest thing to a house show you could ever want at a small venue, with the ability to have a bunch of bands tear through their sets, one after the other. I’m not sure if the highlight was Helena Pop’s weird new track, or the crowd screaming the lyrics to Capes’ “Apnea” for me. Honourable mention to DJ Bye Bye Byers dance moves to Pink’s “Get the party started.”

If you’ve never bought cold brew coffee as a merch item from a band in a back yard, then you just haven’t lived, and the Sunday house show at Macleay Farm really delivered. Ben from Slowly Slowly, and The Lowlands, played some of the most amazing sets I’ve ever heard, and Zzzounds provided the best pun based setlist.

This next week is a bit of a tough one! So many talented local and imported acts to see!! The support from you guys has been incredible over the last few weeks. Let’s keep it up!!

Here’s my top picks this week for the alternative kids.

Friday March 24th

Frenzal Rhomb @ The Basement. If you haven’t seen frenzal rhomb live, you really should go check them out. They still don’t give a sh$t, and they’re still as good as the first time I ever saw them at a Scout Jamboree with Killing Heidi in 2001 (?) THIS SHOW WILL SELL OUT! BUY YOUR TIX EARLY!!

Saturday March 25th

Marlon Bando, Fight Milk, Needledick and Dickie Birds are playing this house show with Sydney band Flight To Dubai.

Sail On! Sail On! and Safe Hands @ The Phoenix. Featuring Canberra’s coolest new spoken word/emo band Sleeping Døgs. Also, Safe Hands have gotta be one of my favourite heavy bands from Newcastle. Also, Have/Hold and Elk Locker are sick too!

Sunday March 26th

PJ Michael & The Bandidas at Smiths, featuring The Lowlands, who are arguably the best legends in Canberra folk.

Wednesday March 29th

Panhandler & Tiger Can Smile at Lobrow with local lords Revellers and Crash House.

Panhandler are from freakin SWEDEN and are freakin AMAZING! Come and check this show out. It’ll definitely be worth your while. It’s only $10 (or $5 for students!) for an international band. Want value?

Thursday March 30th

Jim Dusty, Jack Lundie and friends @ the front Jim writes sick songs and plays in heaps of awesome bands across Canberra. In this act, he wields a banjo and sings some awesome sh$t! Jack Lundie is also a great mate, has a dog called Leo, and sings mad tunes!

Until next week, be good to each other, bring your mates, and enjoy your scene. If i’ve missed something, post in the comments. The last thing we need is some fool watching commercial tv all week because they thought there wasn’t anything on…

Photo: Slowly Slowy. Photo by Lewis Nixon

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