Jynx House: AMPLIFIED, February 2022

Festivals in Australia during the Age of COVID have suffered through some staggered starts. Through border closures, lockdowns, and so many regulation & rule changes, it really is a miracle that some have persevered, pushed through and gone ahead.

Jynx House: AMPLIFIED was one such festival. Two false starts, but luckily, third time was a charm. The sun came out (albeit a bit of a sprinkle broke through), and the decks were on fire with some of the hottest DJs & Producers both locally, and around Australia spinning epic tunes.

GALLERYRhys Fox14 February 2022Jynx House, Amplified, music festival, the jungle giants, crooked colours, de saint

Caloundra Music Festival, 2021

As with most things that have happened in 2020 to 2021, the pandemic put a pause on the Caloundra Music Festival in 2020 (though a mini version was held in its place). However, in 2021, the return of one of the biggest Festivals in South East Queensland was welcomed with open arms.

Rockfest, Caloundra, July 10 2021

Caloundra Rockfest (Winter Edition) went ahead on July 10 at Norton Music Factory (West Caloundra). If you’ve never been there, it’s a hidden musical gem set-up for musicians by musicians, in the most unlikely of spots. Rockfest saw the likes of Jazzella (who’s current single, ‘Shoot’ is killing it right now), Owls of Neptune, Brisbane’s Speedracer, Taylah J & Stone Moth, The Blow-ins and Total Radio Silence all performing at the sold out event, which was racing funds for the Dunga Derby (an amazing cause to raise funds for families affected by serious medical issues).

EXCLUSIVE - The Big Pineapple Music Festival 2021 in review

Wasn’t 2020 that absolute worst for live music events? Well, thankfully, we’re all still here, and music festivals are coming back.

One of the Sunshine Coast’s biggest live music events is The Big Pineapple Music Festival (now in its 8th year - but technically the 7th generation of the festival) persevered and went full steam ahead on May 22. We sent photographer Chris Clow to take it aaaallll in.

GALLERYRhys Fox27 May 2021Big Pineapple Music Festival

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