12 hours of music, 24 local and interstate acts, in its third year, one of the biggest music festivals one will see on the Southside and raising funds for prostate cancer… this is none other than Cocktoberfest 2008

The only downer of the day was that this was the final Cocktoberfest ever due to the inconceivable news that the Greenroom will be closing in the first week of November. But this one last Saturday was sure to be greatest for a few assured reasons:

1) As mentioned before was the last Cocktoberfest ever
2) Was the 3rd Cocktoberfest so they made a hatrick which is a memorable number
3) Was held on the same day as the ACT election so everyone flocked over to rid themselves of politics and load up on music, booze and dance
4) Raised a substantial amount of money for a worthwhile cause…. Prostate cancer.

From the title of the festival you may draw a conclusion that the festival was a male dominated testosterone infused rockfest and to an extent it was. That being said the ratio of men to women was 80% to 20% but the girls did make their presence known to the boys through their leather clad pants/skirts, tops and boots.

To further equalise the rock infused line-up were roots soft rock artist Adam Hole who you may recognise as a member of The Marji Curran Trio. Performing as a solo artist he is one of Australia’s best live acts with his slide guitar tunes backed by percussionist extraordinaire Phoebe Juskevics. As expected his set this time around captured that same vibe as he demonstrated that men can multi-task as he played slide guitar while tapping his foot on his beat drum on the floor while singing all at the same time. Take that girls!

Another equalisation act were local hip hop favourites D’Opus & Roshambo who pulled up the punters from downstairs at the O’Shea’s stage to where they were busting out on the Greenroom stage. Featuring songs off their new album The Switch including Million Dollar Bill, The Basement, Leave Her Alone and People of the Globe it was evident that these guys have become local icons. Be sure to check them out at Trackside this year!

Although a festival highlight would have to have been Adelaide folk rock comedy group The Beards who brought down the house with their hilarious biography like songs about having beards. They are a truly unique creation as they can be appreciated for the musical talents not just their distinctive brand of humour.

Same goes for Sydney outfit The Sidetracked Fiasco who have ingeniously blended rock, punk, funk, metal and hip hop together to create an in-describable sound rarely heard before. You wouldn’t expect such a stage presence and musical expertise from a band only consisting of three men and no guitarist. There sound is a result of all the things listed above and what techies can do to manipulate the sound of bass, drums and vocals.

In the same light local rock rap outfit Monster Elephante brought the fresh goodness of Rage Against The Machine and Red Hot Chili Peppers to the Greenroom stage to the roar of the Greenies. They may be filed under that category a lot but this is the best way to describe their unique sound and since they are apart of this category can no doubtly be mentioned in the same breathe as Rage and the Chili’s.

However the cream and the crock of the night were all the metal and alternative progressive rock bands of the festival, as they dominate the line-up list.

Following on from Monster Elephante on the Greenroom stage was Sydney alternative rock act Ink. They are a renowned musical force in dark melodic rock as they have shared the stage with Shihad, Disturbed and Marilyn Manson in the past. Their performance on Saturday was nothing short of a brain freeze from a persuasive frontman, the loud ringing of impressive guitar work and backing drums. With performances like this they will be sure to climb up music charts and opinion polls in the country with rapid force.

Other favourable mentions go to locals Moh Van Wah, Light Noise, Serenik, Using Three Words and Kempsey who all graced the two stages of the Greenroom and O’Shea’s with their charisma shining through alternative, progressive and psychedelic musical talents in their performances.

This was the best possible way to commemorate the history and glamour of the Greenroom as every band, act, roadie, techie and patron made an utmost effort to make the most of it while it lasted.

Ironically Greenroom owner Gaz isn’t too distraught about the closing as he told FasterLouder that venues come and go in Canberra and the closing is circumstantial.

Perhaps we should all follow his example and not be too upset, but that may take awhile…