Earth Hour is a revolutionary worldwide initiative to fight the threat of global warming, with the concept of switching off your lights between 8:30 – 9:30pm as a vote for saving the Earth, or leaving them on as a vote for global warming. With the WWF trying to reach a target of 1 billion votes, the aim of Earth Hour is to show world leaders at the Global Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen 2009 that our planet is incredibly important and that global warming is a threat that cannot be ignored.

Melbourne played host to an Earth Hour countdown on Saturday the 28th March 2009, with an A-List of Australia’s best musical talent, both young and old, coming together for a free concert at Federation Square. The aim: to show us that it is not an impossible task and that global warming can be beaten, and to encourage both Melbourne and the rest of the world to create a cleaner future with minimised energy usage.

Kicking of the proceedings for a night of great music was Axle Whitehead, who performed his acclaimed single, I Don’t Do Surprises. Turns out, Axle does do surprises, with his next song being one that he wrote only a few days earlier at home, and then performed for the very first time at this special show. Following Axle, was the beautiful and talented Cassie Davis, a young Australian with a strong future in the music industry very evident in her performance. Cassie sang whilst her brother played guitar, performing her single Like It Loud, and a cover of Rihanna’s Umbrella.

Australian Idol runner-up Jessica Mauboy was next on the bill, performing two songs for the growing crowd with flair and pure talent. With a quarter of the concert over, instrument changes were made, and a break was held so that the countdown could begin. During this time, MP Peter Garret, the Minister of Environment and the Arts, but better know to the rest of Australia as the front man for Midnight Oil, spoke about the great benchmark that Earth Hour was setting for the entire world, and that it was amazing to see so many people supporting it.

The countdown to Earth Hour arrived, and at 8:30, Augie March took to the stage for a brief stint, performing their hit single, and the Earth Hour theme song, One Crowded Hour . Although their set consisted of only one song, this was due to the fact that Augie March had an environmentally friendly acoustic gig they had scheduled shortly after. What better way to travel to this show, then the enviro-friendly way, departing Federation Square on bikes towards their next gig.

With the countdown completed, the night’s real fun could begin, with the brilliant Even providing the backing to the A-list of singers. First up was the stunning Paris Wells, who sang songs from her album Keep It Up, and a Janis Joplin cover. That girl sure does know how to party, arriving on stage slightly tipsy, but totally ready to get the enthusiastic crowd into the night’s fun!

Sisters Vika and Linda took to the stage next, performing a wonderful song entitled Holla which was surprisingly well received, as was their next song, an undeniably amazing duet cover of The Rolling Stones Gimme Shelter. Ashley Naylor’s vocals were of the highest standard, and Vika’s stage presence only added to the fantastic cover.

Next in line was the one and only Kram, of Spiderbait. Armed with an acoustic guitar, and an environmentally friendly, rechargeable battery powered keyboard that only cost $28 from an Op-Shop, Kram performed singles from his recently released solo album, Mix Tape. This was followed by what Kram referred to as, – œa totally different direction,’ resulting in a perfectly covered version of The Door’s Break on Through (To the Other Side). The fact that Kram slightly resembled Jim Morrison only increased the authenticity of the cover. Kram was followed by a brief set by Renee Geyer, considered the Queen of Australian soul music.

Fresh from recording his third album, Jet’s Nic Cestor was next to take to the stage, and he had a very special guest with him, all the way from Sydney. Living legend, and lead singer of Australian band Icehouse Iva Davies joined the young rocker performing a one song set. They were followed by the powerhouse rocker that is Chris Cheney of The Living End. No doubt the subtle star of the concert, Chris played a rendition of his Living End hit, Who’s Gonna Save Us? with Even supporting as a back-up band.

Almost instantly, Chris was joined by the rest of the Earth Hour Super Band, to perform a simply beautiful cover of The Beatle’s Revolution, with the entire crowd singing along, uniting, because – œwe all want to change the world.’ There is no doubt that the thousands of people who gathered at Federation Square have made some sort of impact, encouraging both Melbourne, and the rest of the world to switch of their lights in support of the Earth.

CHECK OUT THE PHOTOS FROM THE GIG HERE