The atmosphere has been pulled back a few notches on the final day of the annual Valley Fiesta. The crowds are thinner and the pubs are quieter, and the general Sunday afternoon vibe is floating through the streets. A perfect environment to catch a few more sets from this years stellar Fiesta lineup. The street closure on Brunswick St boasts an enjoyable hat trick of pop assemblage Hanabi, local heroes Yves Klien Blue, and the legendary Ed Kuepper, while over on the Chinatown stage, Brazilian jazz group The View from Madeleines Couch are ending the weekend in style.

Hanabi embody a mix of lilting innocence and sassy attitude, all packaged in a fun pop exterior. Vocalist Anita Goldsworthy joyfully chirps along to the catchy strum of acoustic guitar, with said guitarist Remy Boccalatte chiming in at opportune moments, making for pleasing boy/girl vocal lines. Goldsworthy has the sweetness of tone that’s at home with their occasional use of glockenspiel, and with the somewhat odd addition of a trumpet helping to give them their edgy sound, Hanabi goes down a treat with crowd.

Yves Klein Blue are quietly setting up as the crowd wanders quietly over to see the act often hailed as Brisbanes ‘next big thing’. This afternoon they prove themselves worthy of the hype. Sporting one of the popular Fiesta charity leis, frontman Michael Tomlinson bashfully thanks the audience for turning up to watch, before launching into their tight set. The songs are sprawling yet catchy, the music played with enthusiasm, sometimes joyous, sometimes feverish. The punters move towards the stage, which by now is awash with charisma of Tomlinson, and smiles of guitarist Charles Sale, to hear the blistering solos and unrestrained choruses that make YKB’s live shows such a treat to watch. After thanking the audience and the Valley Fiesta, they pulled out crowd favorite Polka and finish up the set long before anyone is ready for them to leave.

Ed Kuepper draws the expected large crowd. Several patrons spotted wearing ‘Saints’ t-shirts.It’s a one man show of dirty guitar and songs prefaced with short yet detailed histories. Not being particularly knowledgeable about The Saints, and only seeing part of todays set, it is difficult to give an evaluation in regards to Kueppers famed history. As a stand alone artist he is entertaining and talented, yet a quick browse through his back catalogue would give rise to the expectation of a more varied set than the one on show today. The crowd spills back down towards the mall seemingly satisfied nonetheless.

Due to idea of popular Brazilian music being somewhat lead by powerpop group CSS, the set being imagined before actually seeing The View from Madeleines Couch is one filled with frenetic dancing and shouted lyrics. What the audience received was mellow, smooth music that was worlds away from the hectic goings-on of the rest of the Valley. The songs ranged from late night lounge to a more upbeat, but still subdued, sound. All the while still managing to be driven by rich bass and understated Brazilian percussion. Musicianship hits it’s peak for the day as the vocals of front woman Anje West float through the mall providing a relaxing wind down to a busy, and successful, fiesta.