Pyramid Rock Music Festival:Day One @ Phillip Island,Victoria (30/12/10)

Tue 4th Jan, 2011 in Gig Reviews

Pyramid Rock Music Festival was one of the most anticipated festivals of the summer season, and it truly lived up to its potential. With amazing artists, both international and local, and the weather predictions looking fine, happy campers entered the gates at Pyramid Rock on Phillip Island with high hopes that all the hype surrounding the festival would be realised.

Stonefield were the first band to kick off the festival, and they did so with passion and vigour. This group looks set to move from strength to strength, with songs that have a prominent style and feel. The soulful vocals of Amy Findlay acted like a call to all festival goers that these sisters mean business. As their rock appeal cut through the morning dew and welcomed festival goers to get their party on early, their songs didn’t stop the majority of the crowd to gather in relaxed masses in the wide open space. High rotation on Triple J meant Through the Clover was stand out for the set, with many able to shout out the chorus as they knocked back a few drinks. They may have sounded somewhat repetitious at times, but a cover of Led Zeppelin’s Whole Lotta Love showed off their skill and commitment. Drowning and Chase the Sun showed that this group can churn out more than one hit, and with nearby audience members labelling them the female equivalent to Tame Impala, it looks like they have a bright future ahead of them.

The ever eclectic and sassy Kimbra was next to take the main stage, and her up-beat styling’s certainly made people take notice. This jazz pop songstress has the potential to explode onto the scene in the manner chanteuse Megan Washington achieved this past year, with her approach fresh and inviting. Although some didn’t quite take to her quirks, songs such as Cameo Lover and her cover of the Prince classic I Wanna Be Your Lover, had people up on their feet and leaving food queues to get closer to all the action. Announcing that she will have an album out in 2011, Kimbra dove straight into Settle Down, a track which she mentioned was oddly written at the age of sixteen. This singer delighted those both familiar and unfamiliar with her music, and showcased songs that were all fun and class.