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PIG CITY -
QUEENSLAND MUSIC FESTIVAL
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It may have been a winter’s day in
Brisbane on Saturday 14th July 2007,
but the atmosphere heated up under the clear, sunny skies
for a musical blast from the past with a great line-up of
Brisbane
bands for
Queensland Music Festival
gig, Pig City.
Part of the seventeen-day Queensland Music Festival which started
the day before,
Pig City celebrated the music that highlighted Brisbane’s
coming of age.
The event kicked off at the St Lucia University grounds
where many major concerts were hosted in the 1980s, and was
inspired by Andrew Stafford’s book
Pig City: from the Saints to Savage Garden,
which traces Queensland’s rock and pop history.
Brisbane’s political climate in the 70s and 80s inspired
many rebellious bands and artists, and the book revisits
Queensland when it was known as the ‘police state’
involving a corrupt and brutal police force
under the Bjelke-Petersen government.
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The above image provided by
The Shock Factor
Pig City crowd ready for a great day of live
entertainment (directly above and below) |
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Attracting more than 6,000 people, the event gave baby boomers an
opportunity to reminisce, however the younger crowd was also
present to celebrate Brisbane’s
music of the 70s, 80s and 90s as well as new and upcoming
talent.
Alternative music station 4ZZZ-FM also entertained the crowd with
music while sharing its own memories with stories that
affected the community station in the 70s.
The song Pig City was recorded in the 4ZZZ studios at the
University at a time when bands did not have the luxury of
utilising the internet to promote their music.
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The
first act on stage was the four piece band
The Apartments
(below).
The rock/pop band originally formed in
Brisbane in 1978 but reformed in
London
during the 80s, having released some music since.
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Hardcore
live band
Screamfeeder
(above) came
next and definitely lived up to their name, energising the
crowd for more great music to come.
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1980s
Brisbane group The Ups and Downs kept the night alive, followed by the spiritual Kev Carmody
who added reflection and humour to the day, moving many
listeners with his stories, experiences and great music.
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The Ups and Downs - above
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Story teller and musician Kev Carmody (above) |
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Brisbane’s own version of B52s, The Pineapples from the Dawn
of Time (right), performed with energy and outrageous
costumes that brought fun to the night.
Unkle Fats and The Parameters (below) were the
next to performed. |
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The Riptides came next and kept the crowd shaking followed by
renowned band Regurgitator, known for their energy and mixed style of
punk, funk, pop, metal and rap.
Formed in 1994, they added electronica, alternative rock
style to the day.
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David McCormack provided memorable tunes from his Custard
days, showing evidence that he remains one of Australia’s
top songwriters.
David McCormack
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Regurgitator (above) |
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Riptides (above) |
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Kate Miller-Heidke was one of the newer and younger
talents, performing an arrangement of
The Go Betweens' tracks accompanied by Brisbane
Excelsior Band. With a touch of opera, her sweet voice and
musical style was a hit with the audience. |
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Kate Miller-Heidke accompanied by the amazing
Brisbane Excelsior - brass band
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Kate Miller-Heidke's amazing
vocals. |
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The Saints - still have what it takes.
Finally, the band that everyone was waiting for,
The
Saints
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arguably the first punk band of all- dominated the stage. In fine
form and attitude lead singer Chris Bailey was definitely a great
front man, demonstrating his style of showmanship and even daring to
smoke on stage!
Bailey still had a certain charisma, a dash of cheekiness, and knew
how to work with the photographers and audience. Ed Kuepper’s
guitar work also remained in fine form and
Ivor Hay’s energetic drumming style was still evident.
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Prior to
the event Ivor Hay was looking forward to the
Pig City
gig.
“It will
be a fun night, we’re going to give it our best,” he
said. Although Hay hasn’t read Andrew Stafford’s
Pig City,
The Saints drummer affirms that politics was an influence on
the band in their day.
“Although
we weren’t overly political we were aware of what was going
on, of how gigs were getting shut down and people weren’t
allowed to march…so it did have an influence on us as a
band,” he said.
When told
about Brisbane being named one of the music hotspots of the
world by American Billboard magazine, Hay wasn’t really
surprised. “There’s some really good music coming out of
Australia
at the moment,” he enthuses.
However,
The Saints are not likely to be included in the mix as it
looks like the Pig
City
show will be a one-off. “So far there haven’t been any
discussions about getting back together…but we are really
looking forward to the gig, it will be a great night.”
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Ivor Hay was looking forward to playing at Pig City |
And a great night
it was, a one off event that will go down in history as one of
Brisbane’s all time music events and the reunion of The Saints.
Article and photos by Chrissy Layton, AusNotebook Music & Creative 15/7/07
Interview with Ivor Hay by
Miranda Forster for AusNotebook, Music & Creative
Related arrticles:-
The Saints - Ivor Hay
Screamfeeder
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