Push Over 2011 @ AbbotsfordConvent, Melbourne (13/3/2011)

Thu 17th Mar, 2011 in Gig Reviews

I arrived at the Abbotsford Convent shortly after the gates opened to the 2011 Push Over Festival. This was my first time at the festival (and my first time reviewing one). Strains of an incredibly decent cover of Whole Lotta Love by Led Zeppelin caught my ear, and I headed toward the sound. To my surprise, I saw four young girls on the stage, and was extremely impressed with their talent. Those girls are the Findlay sisters, also known as Stonefield, winners of triple j’s Unearthed High competition in 2010.

The Push Battle of the Bands grand final was my next stop. Passport For Amy, representing the Western Metro region in the competition, were about to play. I guess you could class them as “indie-rock”, but there was a whole mixed bag of influences in their style, including funk. There seemed to be a bit of trouble with the instruments threatening to drown out their vocalist, but overall I thought they were something special.

I got to the Red Stage in time to see punk/hardcore band Anchors play their last two songs. But I headed over to the Black Stage (the hip hop stage) after to catch Round 1 of the break dancing battle. Unfortunately, I couldn’t see a damn thing. I was disappointed. Being short at gigs and festivals alike rarely works to one’s advantage.

Gold Fields from Ballarat were about to play. Again, they were another group of teenagers who were very good at what they do. Their particular brand of dance music has generated interest in the UK, and from what I saw and heard, it’s very well deserved. What made me particularly happy though, was the use of a traditional drum kit, plus drum machine, plus extra floor tom for the vocalist to give a couple of songs a bit of extra oomph.

I ended up back at the Battle of the Bands. A “rock opera metal” band with a female vocalist, called Kyrano, were representing the Gippsland region. They reminded me a bit of Nightwish. I wish I’d remembered to bring earplugs, because the minute she hit the high notes, my ears couldn’t take it, and I had to leave. It was a shame, because they were quite good.

Back to the hip hop stage I went, because, let’s face it, someone rapping into a mic is far less taxing on the ears. There were a couple of MCs filling in time, because the break dancing competition from earlier had taken less time than they were allocated. These MCs were previous winners of the MC battle I was about to watch. The entrants all got up on stage and were given a chance to warm up to backing tracks of Jump Around and In Da Club (probably to help with nerves as well). Each MC was given about 2-3 minutes to rap about a topic they were given on the spot. One was given Spongebob Squarepants, and did a great job with it.

I figured I’d seen enough of it after about four MCs, so I stepped outside. And promptly got rained on. After a morning of 29C and sunny, the cool change had hit hard, and I felt sorry for all the girls in tiny shorts and tank tops. I hid out at the metal stage out of the rain. Highly weather-appropriate Newcastle hardcore band The Storm Picturesque were starting, and the room was getting really packed (mostly due to the weather). It was rather stifling, so I made my escape.

Ended up back at Battle of the Bands, but headed straight for the info/drinks desk to buy a disposable poncho. Serious props to The Push staff for being prepared for stupid weather. Armed with poncho, I decided to brave the outdoors again.

Young Revelry had just finished, and people started pushing their way to the front for Hunting Grounds (formerly Howl ). The disco-punk six-piece from Ballarat have gained quite a following since winning Unearthed High in 2009. Highlights of the set: An awesome cover of Beastie Boys’ Sabotage, and the guitarist and bassist rocking out with their guitars in the photo pit for the last song.

The rain picked up, but I stayed where I was. Last Dinosaurs hit the stage, and despite only knowing the last song the played, Honolulu, I still managed to thoroughly enjoy myself. The boys commented about the crowd being dedicated enough to stand around in the pouring rain for them, which earned them cheers.

Took shelter at the Green Stage again, where triple j Unearthed competition winners Husky were setting up, and decided, like most others in there, to take the opportunity to sit down and rest my tired legs. Husky were a pleasant contrast to most of the other acts I’d seen so far, being chilled out folk rock. But soon it was time for me to move on.

I attempted to get into the hip hop room to see Illy, but the room was already overcrowded, so I decided to see what else was happening. I managed to catch most of House Vs Hurricane at the main stage, but stood at the back to avoid the growing circle pit. One of the vocalists organised a “wall of death”, but instead instructed everyone to high five instead of slamming into each other. It worked, and no one got hurt. HvsH are a brilliant live act, and I really enjoy their brand of hardcore.

Children Collide were the headline act of the festival. I’ve seen them play many times, and I’ve yet to see a boring show. This one was no different. It was awesome seeing the kids getting right into it and dancing up a storm. But I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many crowdsurfers outside of Soundwave or Big Day Out, so I was impressed. The guys played a mix of old and new stuff, and finished up with an instrumental song they used to play a bit back in the day.

For my first Push Over, it was pretty damn amazing. There was enough to keep things interesting with the differing genres, and despite the weather changing quite drastically, the day was thoroughly enjoyable.