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UC Live! presented Canberra with a wide variety of acts for the Make Poverty History concert. The free entry didn’t dampen the audience turnout and add Evermore onto the bill, the concert was sure to be rocking. The ever so familiar University of Canberra Refectory slowly filled with cold, starving individuals. A multitude of people were present from all over the country. Interstaters from Tasmania, Queensland, Victoria and South Australia who had been relentlessly touring Australia for a week trying to raise our overseas aid to 0.7%. This concert was a special night and it wasn’t just about the music.

First up, and on time were the incredible drum group The Rhythm Hunters. Fronted and founded by Rendra Freestone, they quickly made their way onstage and struck up a beat. The long set was surprisingly comprised of only three tracks, Two Mountains, Streams and ending with Butterfly. The crowd was mesmerised by the intensity of the drums, completely blown away by the unexpected music.

A quick break and an goofy introduction by the nights MCs and Hancock Basement was starting their set. Fresh from Groovin’ The Moo, the band played comfortably to a familiar crowd. The tired ralliers, students and volunteers all danced, and jived to the Triple J favourite Hey Kids. Drummer Tom Gregory surpassed front-man Nick Beresford-Wylies vocals and due to the poor lighting, all the drummers of the night were hidden in a veil of darkness and under appreciated while the rest of the band members enjoyed the spotlight.

Next up was a breathtaking performance by Vox Congo. A timely countdown struck up the beat and the African singing/dancing group swayed onstage to the beat of a bongo drum. The front man was wearing a tiger fur scarf and the guitarist was playing a battle axe. The exuberant colours and surf dance moves made the audience unable to keep still, and the sing-a-longs provided the crowd to jump and scream.

It was time for rock when Zoophyte took the stage. The fourth act continued the forward positive momentum and wrapped the crowd around their conducting sticks. The Melbourne band was relatively unknown for the majority but it didn’t matter. Their solid rock tunes broke the barrier and won the hearts of all. They played songs from their album Another Point Of View and ended with a new demo, Don’t Push It Away.

Experimental band Bonjah was unfortunate enough to have a fire alarm go off during their set in which security abruptly ushered all two thousand-ish tenants outside into the cold. After a half an hour delay where the pumped crowd were singing, drumming and cheering. A Make Poverty History chant slowly grew and a rally formed outside the Refectory. After it was deemed safe for entry, the crowd moved back in for the last song of Bonjah’s set.

Huge aid support artist Diafrix was up on stage promoting poverty aid and their boppin’ tunes. The crowd were hipping and hopping to their infectious beats. A wild bouncing mass was shifting from side to side, flaunting their Make Poverty History shirts, bracelets and other accessories.

One of the most surprising bands was up next. Blue King Brown entered the stage in superb fashion. The amazing set brought the entire audience to the stage in an unanimous body who had one common goal; to Make Poverty History. Front woman Natalie and equally unbelievable backup singers sung a medley of classics including Roxanne – The Police and Michael Jackson’s Billie Jean. They stopped for eight bars and told the crowd that for that time, they were to make as much noise as humanly possible because this was their night, this was their night and they were going to make themselves known, loud and proud. They were going to let all of Australia know, all of the world know that there, in the Refectory, they were fighting for a cause beyond our shores.

During the mingling outside while the fire alarm was blaring, quick interviews said that the majority of the crowd were out for not Blue King Brown but Evermore. The trio of ex-New Zealanders took the stage as a ferocious roar erupted from the crowd. The wonderful set was short but so very sweet. Opening with their newest single Underground and playing older hits It’s Too Late and For One Day, from their brilliant debut album Dreams. Jon’s guitar mesmerised the crowd with its LCD screen during their Black Eye Peas cover I Gotta Feeling, and they shook the floor during their own successful single Running. The band finished the night with Hey Boys and Girls and despite pleas for an encore, didn’t return to the stage.

Instead the nights two MC’s congratulated the crowd and in turn the crowd thanked the organisers for an incredible night, not forgetting the reason they were there. Make Poverty History!

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