Punters gather in the heat at Brisbane Riverstage for a concert celebrating 150 years since Queensland declared itself a seperate colony from New South Wales. Fireworks, cannon fire, flag raisings and gun shots didn’t make an appearance like they did in 1859, but five of Queensland’s rockingest bands sure did.

The sun sizzled down while The Cairos delivered their tunes neatly. Literally hot and sweaty they were eager to please the forming Queensland crowd. The young quartet performed Lost At Sea, Whales and Batman with vigour and vitality despite the obvious effects of playing on-stage in the heat.

Townsville band The Middle East have a distinctly beautiful quality to their sound contributed by the use of brushes, banjo, lagerphone, flute, trumpet and squeeze box. Their influences could be of the early maestros of the eighteenth century for the reason that they create a musical fluidity that gives the listener a sense of floating.

In spite of some inaudible feedback the eight piece band performed superbly including their enchanting song The Darkest Side which was sweet, smooth and melodic. Lonely, Blood, Fools Gold and Balleriand were executed with equal loveliness and splendour.

Organic and original musicians, Yves Klein Blue were tight, energetic and passionate on stage. They used the organ instrumentally and wisely in Make up your Mind. The boys gave the crowd a mixed bag of sounds with Digital Love, Polka, Silence Is Distance and About The Future. Getting Wise was the favourite due to the perfect delivery and happy vibes.

It was fantastic to see the members of Custard play in their home town again. Even better than they were ten years ago, maybe maturity has enabled them with the ability to put their problems aside and really enjoy playing together because they were on fire. Dave McCormack thanked the young and old for being at the Q150 Proclamation Day Concert – “Thank you, you make an old guy feel welcome”.

These memorable, remarkable, gifted and talented musicians demonstrated that they still have it while giving the over-zealous audiences many of their favourite tunes. Alone, Nice Bird, New Apartment, Hit Song and Girls Like That were just a few of the singles performed. McCormark showed his diversity by hitting the drums for Music Is Crap. Finishing their set, McCormack said it was great to see the punters again.

Powderfinger opened with All Of The Dreamers, Stumblin’ and Love Your Way. When frontman Bernard Fanning roared “G’day Queenslanders” the crowd interacted without hesitation. They played mostly new songs for the majority of their set and still managed to look graceful despite the Brisbane heat.

The gentlemen played elegantly on stage while Kangaroo Points lights twinkled in the background and a delicious breeze passed over. Bernard played the keys on My Happiness and then sang a delightful Happy Birthday to Queensland.

The grand finale was out of this world with all five bands on stage and Dave McCormack singing The Go-Betweens’ Streets Of Your Town.