Taking advantage of a late change in lineup, Biff Co took the stage by storm with their new members. Now sporting a violin and trumpet, the band was obviously still working out the kinks the changes caused but charismatic front man Jimmy Patch did his best to liven the audience, who responded with a veritable stampede when he announced free CDs were available.

Brisbane folk-rock act Blame Ringo followed with selected songs from their current album lucky number nine among the list. Warming up before their soon-to-begin “Laundromat Tour”, the laid back gents included tracks such as Cash In Jackson and their much talked about single Garble Arch. Following the rock energy of Biff Co, it would have been nice to hear some of the more upbeat tracks off the current album to keep the pace. Nonetheless, with only minor sound issues and well blended vocals Blame Ringo are a band to watch.

Taking the stage to absolutely thunderous applause and a near sell-out crowd, the king of Australian children’s songs Peter Combe launched right into an era-by-era play through of music from the 70s, 80s and 90s, drawing enthusiastic applause from the crowd at the beginning and end of each track. It seemed as though every song was remembered by a portion of the audience, whether from childhood or otherwise. Hand gestures and amusing sound effects punctured the songs, and fans danced along, seemingly reliving their favorite dances and shuffles regardless of how strange it looked coming from an adult instead of a child.

Songs such as Syntax Error, Wash Your Face In Orange Juice and Chopsticks were lapped up by the audience, who were singing almost louder than Peter was. His catchy, timeless music totally captivates the audience, who held lighters in the air and swayed, paper hats slipping and occasionally tumbling to be lost beneath shuffling feet.

A moment must be taken from the music now to celebrate the eager fans who trickled into the Zoo bearing newspaper hats, as well as the one or two dedicated individuals who came, newspapers in hands, to make more hats inside the venue to hand to excited listeners. Never has such a touching show of fan enthusiasm created such a visual as an ocean of paper hats washing backwards and forwards towards the stage.

As the night ended, a weary but satisfied crowd left the Zoo, some intoxicated, some stumbling, but all humming the melodies that have taken them back to the fond times of their youth. Such is the magic of Peter Combe.