After fighting our way through the packed streets filled with happy jersey-wearing, flag toting sport lovers on their way to the game at the Gabba, we made our way into the already packed Joshua Levi Galleries on Ipswich Road, for the final evening of the three-week long UnderExposed festival and exhibition. Unfortunately, due to the awful traffic, etc. we missed the jazzy spiels of Pear and the Awkward Orchestra. Grabbing a beer and a hotdog, we settled in to watch the start of Blame Ringo’s set.

Blame Ringo have had quite a media frenzy over their YouTube film clip for Gable Arch in recent times, so one could be forgiven for a certain level of scepticism regarding their show. All doubts were quickly dispelled in the vocal-harmony drenched sunny pop tunes that the group so expertly tendered. Apart from the obvious Beatles comparisons that could be drawn, Blame Ringo draw on a healthy cross-section of old school influences, with elements taken from America, The Bee Gees, and a little touch of Crosby, Stills & Nash. Very competent, very capable, and once they put a little more of themselves in their music, they will no doubt be very successful.

Stepping inside to the more intimate warmth of the gallery, a very healthy crowd had gathered to watch young songstress, Bernie Carson strum her way through some gorgeous folk tunes. She has a sweet voice and an even sweeter demeanour and quickly had the crowd eating out of the palm of her hand and clapping along on cue. There is an innocence and unaffectedness about her that is so sincere that it was hard to walk back outside without a goofy smile after the experience.

The Quills were up next on the outside stage. It’s easy to see that these guys are aiming for the troposphere of the poposphere. They have an 80’s synth pop vibe that’s reminiscent of Human League, Duran Duran, et al. mixed in with an indie-pop flavour that is very much in the same field as The Killers. They write good hooks, dress to kill, and play like they are in a stadium. Maybe, with a bit of luck and perseverance, one day they will get to play in a stadium.

Party band extraordinaire, The Travelling So and So’s burst onto stage in a bright array of colours and instruments, immediately staking claim on the party band title of the evening. Within moments of taking the stage, they had the whole car park dancing along to their infectious jazzy, bluesy, pop fusion. Lead singer, Kelly Jade was brightly attired, smiling almost non-stop and energetic in her delivery. A highlight was the crowd sing-along for the catchy Song for Silas, with the boisterous – œdo do do’s echoing across the road.

Final – œofficial’ band for the evening, Mr Laneous and the Family Yah provided a set of almost-but not quite-sleazy soul meets hip hop. They were what you would imagine Barry White and Stevie Wonder’s bastard child who was raised in the Bronx by his gangsta uncle would sound like if he got a band going. It was at times beguiling and at others, amusing, particularly the guy playing what looked like a massive calculator (one can only assume that it was some kind of sample pad). With songs like Crew Cut and Loveable Tramp, it was hard not to get into the whole spirit of things and dance like a hopeless breakdancing wannabe.

Even though that brought to an end the official proceedings of the evening, everybody was ushered inside for the after party. It was a great way to have another look at all of the amazing photographs, – œdonate’ some money towards the drink fund, and listen to Dan and Dilmah plough their way through a set of tasty indie folk treats. As the party drew on, it did the inevitable degeneration into an alcohol-motivated karaoke-soaked event. Priceless!

Big kudos to all the organisers and contributors to this amazing event. In particular, Joshua Levi from Joshua Levi Galleries, who hosted the event; Elleni Toumpas, who organised the exhibition and just about everything; and Trevor Topfer from Keytone, who organised the bands. What an awesome event. If you missed out on going along this year, shame on you. See everyone in 2010 when UnderExposed returns!