CHECK OUT OUR GALLERY HERE!

Australia Day Live on the lawns of Parliament House once again rocked us to the core, this year with the emergence of a lot more bright young stars that graced our television screens and radios over 2009. With the exception of Aussie rock royalty Ian Moss of course, who has been in most of our lives since we were old enough to know who Cold Chisel was.

The first half of the concert was brought to us by Video Hits, with presenter Fuzzy taking the stage and introducing the first act, Amy Meredith.

Teens went mad when this five piece came out. Only a handful of which even knew who Amy Meredith was from the sounds of it. Lead singer Christian brings a Cure-esque type vocal over a Metro Station sound for those who have not heard them in the flesh. They awakened the new fans into a bouncing frenzy. Unfortunate for some though, as punters were still sitting on the ground with their little yellow backrests. Words were exchanged, but really who goes to a concert and sits right up the front anyway! I’m pretty sure the hit Pornstar came out at some stage but I have been unable to track down the rest of the set. All in all Amy Meredith stirred the crowd for the next acts to come.

Hayley Warner came at us next with her hit Good Day. This Australia Idol runner up is a powerhouse with a heavy rock voice in a small package. She finished her set with what was music to everyone’s ears. “Aussie Aussie Aussie!”. OI OI OI! and a staple to hear throughout the night.

Next up was Western Australian Cassie Davis. Boy can this girl rock the crowd! Singing hits Differently , Do It again and Like it Loud, the crowd went bonkers! You really do appreciate it when artist can reproduce their album work live, something Cassie had no problems with at all.

Last up on the Video Hits line up was Rogue Traders. Sporting new leading singer Mindi Jackson, there were mixed emotions in the crowd from Bassingthwaite fans, who would have seen them in previous years at the very same concert. Voodoo Child was first up followed by In love Again, they even threw a cover in there but this was in vain. Its seemed like the whole set was a cover without Natalie there. Love is a War was a new one, with Mindi thriving in this.

With a short interval, it was time for the second session to the proceedings, Music Max’s turn this time with Yumi Stynes and ChitChat overlooking the proceedings.

First up for them was Aussie sensation Bertie Blackman. WOW! Off the back of an ARIA win and world class tour, she graced the stage with her presence, face painted like a cat. Fans taking this as an obvious gesture that her song Black Cat would be featured in the set somewhere. She also gave us Birds of Prey and massive drum sounds of Heart. She really did kick of the second half with a bang!

Next up, ARIA winner Bob Evans. Australia’s answer to Bob Dylan, he mellowed the crowd into a daze. New single Brother oh Brother made the set, completing it was Hand me Downs and crowd favourite Don’t You Think it’s Time. It was a welcome change in preparation for the last three acts.

Phrase, Aussie hip hop extraordinaire. With amazing backup vocals, he launched into his new single Clockwork. Followed by All Good and Spaceship, this really was oz hip hop at its best. At the end of the set, he had a stage invader which was quickly dealt with by security, there’s always one isn’t there!

Almost at the end and Evermore was up. By this time of the night, yellow blow up chair were making quite the appearance being thrown on stage as well as the odd glowstick, thong and bottle. Underground, their new single, started the set. Continuing on with their new sound was mega hit Hey Boys and Girls followed by See the Light which had the crowd swaying, arms in the air.

The front row then underwent a face-change, with the number of teens dwindling being replaced with middle age, singlet wearing men, arms raised. Could only mean one thing, Mossy! Cold Chisel guitarist and accomplished solo artist Ian Moss hit the stage for the finale, white Gretsch guitar in hand. The glow sticks soon stopped whizzing past his head when “Hang me for a sucker, on the plain out of Narrabri” hit the microphone. Tuckers Daughter an Australian staple on any radio station, this was a good start to a great set. Next was new single Shake from new album Soul on West 53rd. Down went the tempo for a little with the ballad When the War is Over . The crowd was now singing to full lung capacity. That was until Bow River brought the concert home amongst screams from young and old.

This year I really felt was different to other years. A diverse selection of artists, all individual in their own right yet very proudly Australian. Here’s hoping next year can top it.

CHECK OUT OUR GALLERY HERE!