Northern Beaches legends Ocean Alley returned to The Gong at the beautiful University of Wollongong Gardens presented by the wonderful people from Yours and Owls and UOW Uni Bar.
A perfect sunshine day for the best of Australian Indie rock live music and Wollongong showed up for the Easter Sunday Boutique festival showcasing Ocean Alley and a line up of some of New South Wales + ACT best indie bands. Something for everyone with bands from the south coast to the north coast.
First on the lineup was Sydney band Ah Honey only recently formed in 2023 but already making waves with their debut single "Chelsea" and they set the scene with a solid set for a great day in the UOW Gardens. Watch out for this up and coming band.
Another Sydney band prog rock outfit Le Shiv were totally fuck yeah! high energy, crowd pleasing seriously talented band. Lead singer Jake "Pencil" Voroshine is very watchable, confident, out there and fun. Le Shiv will be headlining and conquering the world soon. Check out their latest EP "New Colour World"
Next up one of Australia's most exciting Indie-rock band Stumps and the Sydney boys did not disappoint, big sound, great riffs, soaring vocals executing perfectly tracks off their sophomore album Arcadia and their classic indie songs Mt. Pleasant and Laugh About It. Definite crowd favourites.
All female band The Buoys playing to a packed out UOW Garden literally played their hearts out and the fans reacted singing along to every word like they had experienced all the same emotions. Fast and unapologetic. Cracker of a set playing their latest singles Subject A, Guard My Heart and the crowd favourite Lie To Me Again.
Northern Beaches Dear Seattle hit the stage on fire and the mosh pit was ignited with their hard hitting power indie rock. Playing all the crowd favourites including the Missy Higgins cover The Special Two and an epic finish with The Meadows and Daytime TV.
The best name on the lineup Teen Jesus and The Jean Teasers from Canberra were so much fun with their energetic punk rock anthems and so good to hear them play their triple j Like A Version Billie Eilish cover Happier Than Ever plus AHHHH! and Salt.
Gerringong locals The Terrys first gig back since their European Tour were in their usual relaxed mode form like they had just returned from Paradise (pardon the pun). By now the sold out sign must be out as The Garden was packed out with the fans dancing and singing out loud to the Tezzas! Zombie off their brand new album "Skate Pop" kicked off the set but we were all waiting for Our Paradise so good!
Also from Gerringong Pacific Avenue are rock stars, flamboyant, polished, animated old school alternative rock with the songs to make them massive. They look great, sound awesome and their fans adore them. Their set kicked off solidly with Spin Me Like Your Records, then absolutely rocking out with Strawberry Daydream then easing back into Someday Soon. Halfway through their set Easy Love had their fans grooving along but the highlight was their triple j Like A Version ABBA cover of Dancing Queen. But they stepped up another level with their brilliantly crafted song Leaving For London and Something Good off their 2019 EP Strawberry Skies. If you don't know this band get on board now.
North beaches band Ocean Alley was the perfect headline act with their laid back psychedelic rock style, currently on their Australian tour and about to conquer the world. Brilliant musicianship playing songs from their back catalogue of four albums to add a smile to their fans. Highlights Touch Back Down off their 2022 album "Low Altitude Living", my favourite The Comedown and the amazing cover of Players, Baby Comeback another triple J Like A Version.
Absolutely fantastic boutique festival, please comeback next year.
Words Cathi Margherita Images Pete Dovgan.
