Sunshine Sounds Festival, Eumundi, May 1 & 2

First faced with the possibility of no dancing and other Covid regulations, then chuck in some rather unpredictable weather, Sunshine Sounds Festival appeared to be overly optimistic by name only.

BUT…

Despite all this, the inaugural Sunshine Sounds kicked in to gear in Eumundi over the first weekend of May, and showcased a phenomenal, diverse line-up featuring Kate Miller-Heidke, Katie Noonan, Busby Marou, Andrea Kirwin (on her album launch), Band of Frequencies, Sahara Beck. Miiesha, The Dreggs, Pink Matter, Jack Carty, Cigany Weaver, Asha Jefferies, The Feral Cats of Tokyo, The Dawn Light, Lydia Fairhall, Mark Moroney, Sarah King and Georgia Corowa.

Valhalore, The Lost Knights, GRMLN at Solbar, April 30, 2021

Brisbane legends of epic folk metal, Valhalore - known for their immense sounds and live shows, have stripped it all back for their Intimate and Acoustic tour.

After a hectic rescheduling due to the last snap lockdown in Brisbane in the beginning of April, the stars aligned, and Valhalore made their way to Solbar on April 30 for an intimate performance. Joining them on the night were The Lost Knights, and GRMLN.

GALLERYRhys Fox2 May 2021valhalore, the lost knights, grmln, solbar, destroy all lines

Butterfingers - '15 Years of Fatboys', w/ Emph'n'Treats, Fresh Violet at Villa Noosa, March 1st

Brisbane hiphop legends, Butterfingers are back on the road, celebrated 15 years of the acclaimed album, ‘Breakfast at Fatboys’. Back in 2004, this album scored Triple J Feature album of the week upon release, as well as slots in that year’s Hottest 100 AND an ARIA nomination for Best Independent Release. So, to celebrate the fifteenth birthday of the amazing debut album, Butterfingers have headed off on a massive national tour, choosing The Villa Noosa to kick it all off. Joining them on the line-up were Emph’n’Treats, and Fresh Violet.

GALLERYRhys Fox4 March 2019Butterfingers, 15 years of fatboys, villa noosa, emph n treats, fresh violet

Joyride, Heaps Good Friends, and Approachable Members of Your Local Community at Solbar, February 2, 2019

2018 was a huge year for Joyride, and he continues to cruise on through, particularly with the success of ‘6am’. As part of his latest Sunrise Chaser Tour (in support of the album of the same name), Joyride hit up Solbar, along with Heaps Good Friends, and Approachable Members of Your Local Community. We sent along photographer Cynthia Lee to enjoy the ride…

GALLERYRhys Fox6 February 2019Joyride, Solbar, Sunrise Chaser Tour

Ayla 'Small Talk' Intimate Show, January 25, 2019

To celebrate the launch of her track ‘Small Talk’ late last year, singer/songwriter Ayla decided to organise a run of intimate ‘house’ shows (as well as visiting a few venues along the way).

GALLERYRhys Fox29 January 2019Ayla, Forrest Run, review

Dark Cell, Plague The City, Spew'n, Black Banner at Solbar, December 21st

Christmas got a little dark this year, with goth shock-rock legends Darkc3ll bringing the heavy to Solbar for one big night of riffage. Joining the onslaught were Coast heavyweights Plague The City, local weirdos Spew’n, and kicking off the night was Black Banner. We threw the horns up in the jolliest of ways, and sent Cynthia Lee to capture all the action…

GALLERYRhys Fox23 December 2018Darkcell, Darkc3ll, Plague the City, Spew'n, Black Banner, Solbar

Dead Letter Circus, Circles, and Aerials at Solbar, December 7th

Dead Letter Circus are back with fire in the belly, and a brand new self-titled album. Touring the Dead Letter Circus release, DLC made their much-awaited return to the Sunshine Coast to play Solbar on December 7th, bringing along with them Melbourne’s Circles (who were fresh off the back of a European tour), and Brisbane’s Aerials. Photographer Cynthia Lee was there to capture all the rock, roll, sweat, and singing…

GALLERYRhys Fox10 December 2018Dead Letter Circus, Circles, Aerials, Solbar

Mojo Juju at The Imperial Hotel Eumundi, November 4th 2018

Hot off the back of her acclaimed ‘Native Tongue’ album, ARIA-nominated artist Mojo Juju exploded onto the Imperial Hotel Eumundi stage, and we sent photographer Cynthia Lee to capture it all, Mojo Juju and support Nasty Mars.

GALLERYRhys Fox5 November 2018Mojo Juju, Native Tongue, Nasty Mars, Imperial Hotel

Tim Rogers at The Playhouse, Solbar, September 27th

Out on a solo run on his ‘The Endless Cycle of Maintenance Tour’ , You Am I’s (and accomplished author) Tim Rogers swept through The Playhouse at Solbar on September 27th, accompanied by singer/songwriter Dana Gehrman.
We sent Cynthia Lee along to capture both troubadours in a very intimate performance…

GALLERYRhys Fox3 October 2018Tim Rogers, Dana Gehrman, Solbar, The Playhouse

Port Royal, Machine Machine, Fight Ibis & The Unknowns at Solbar, September 15th

We’re not sure how Solbar’s roof is still on after the rock’n’roll onslaught from Brisbane’s (and frequent visitors to the Sunshine Coast), Port Royal rocked up at storm while on their Love Passion Satisfaction Tour.
Teaming up with newly-Brisbane-ised Machine Machine, and locals Fight Ibis and The Unknowns, it was a sweat-drenched good-time mess, and photographer Cynthia Lee was to capture it all.

GALLERYRhys Fox18 September 2018Port Royal, Machine Machine, Fight Ibis, The Unknowns, Solbar

Walken, Big Whoops, Muules at Solbar, September 7th

Hot off the run of Bigsound showcases, Brisbane's Walken headed back to Solbar for a headline show, bringing along Big Whoops (fresh off a short hiatus, with a revised line-up), and Sunny Coast trio, Muules, for a big night of alt-rock goodness.

review, GALLERYRhys Fox9 September 2018Walken, Big Whoops, Muules, solbar

Regurgitator & The Stress of Leisure at Solbar, August 26th

Iconic Brisbane trio, Regurgitator wrapped up their well-received national tour with a bang at Solbar on August 26th. Fellow Brisbanites, The Stress of Leisure were there to open the night in all their weird, kooky glory. Unsurprisingly, the crowd was full of Gen X'ers getting absolutely loose, and frankly, loosing their shit (in a good way) when the 'Gurge took to the stage. A solid set, which did lean heavily on tracks from the ARIA-award winning 'Unit', but also some epic new tunes, and a scattering from the rest of their, frankly, quite hefty catalogue.

GALLERYRhys Fox28 August 2018regurgitator, the stress of leisure, national tour, solbar