First up was Ganga Giri, a psychedelic tribe of musicians that create an amazing multi-layered blend of indigenous/electro/dance/rock, and upon my first vision of Giri dancing around the stage, waving around and playing his didgeridoo at the same time, he’d won me over.
l also loved the resonating vocals of Jornick, the Rasta vocalist, but what I love most about Ganga Giri is the way that all the elements of their musical creation come together to create a sonical soundscape that is unlike anything else I’ve ever heard, truly original musicians.

Oka, hailing from sunny Noosa were up on stage next, and this trio of multi-talented gentlemen, with their uniquely awesome blend of both traditional instruments and modern day technology were quick to get the crowd dancing around like they were a part of a tribal ceremony, and the whole performance had a near spiritual feel, and seemed to me to be a lot like what it would be like if Yothu Yindi made trance music, a great dance-roots performance.

Vocalist Stu Boga Fergie was seamless on didgeridoo, as was his melodic counterpart Chris who utilised his extensive range of instruments, which included bamboo flutes, harmonica, slide guitar and mini saxophone to create a euphoric sense of harmony throughout the very excited crowd packing out The East Brunswick Club.

Though the whole performance was great, the aptly titled, Music Makes Me Happy was the point of culmination during their set where all the different musical elements of Oka’s performance came together with Fergie’s Groove Armada-esque vocals to generate wave upon wave of positive energy around the crowd, it was really cool.

Up next was the talented gold coast outfit Tijuana Cartel, consisting of co-producers Paul George and Carey O’Sullivan as guitarists and keyboard players, Regan Hoskins as MC and Daniel Gonzalez on Latin percussion.

Right from the powerful openings chords of flamenco guitar, Tijuana Cartel impressed with their mesmerising and near-perfect blend of latino/electro/trance/rock. Paul George’s technique and ability was amazing, and he had a near spiritual relationship with his guitar, the rate of finger movement he can achieve blows my mind.

Tijuana Cartel also boasts a rotating roster of guest performers, and tonight Shannon Van Horn graced us on trumpet, and her contribution to the song Rise Up was a truly beautiful moment.

After building the crowd up throughout their set Tijuana Cartel closed with a massive improv moment and really did bring the house down; walking out afterwards I don’t think you’d be able to find one person who left the Rainbow Serpent Festival Sideshow at the East Brunswick Club without feeling happy and satisfied with the nights showcase of great music, myself included.