23rd January Byron Bay
Situated an hour or so south of Brisbane on the east coast of Australia, the locals refer to the Gold Coast as BrisVegas, a sun-baked mix of Blackpool, Surfers Paradise and the Strip. BDO goes there because at the height of the summer break, that’s where the kids are and they turn up in bare-backed in bronzed hordes. Today, the Essential Stage is in a tent in its own corner of the site, so with the luxury of a sound-check, the set is much more relaxed, allowing me to slip in a few slow songs along with the faster paced crowd pleasers. Later we stand out front to witness the tail end of Bjork and the blast-off of Rage before heading back ahead of the crowds.
If you love sun and surf, the Gold Coast is a good place to spend a few days, but those of us seeking something a little more special headed down the coast to Byron Bay, where the hippies and surfers meet on some of the most beautiful beaches in Australia. Tipped of by a couple of members of Spoon over a back-stage game of table football at the Gold Coast BDO, we light out to the town of Bangalow, where Aussie indie label Spunk are holding a tenth anniversary party.
In the old Agricultural and Industry Hall in this sleepy NSW hill town, we enjoy an evening of extraordinary performances from Joanna Newsome, Andrew Bird and the aforementioned Texas based Spoon. I’ve long been an admirer of Miss Newsome’s work and she was at her best, plucking her harp with minimal accompaniment. The real discovery though was Andrew Bird who built a wall of sound with his violin and whistled mournfully through an astounding set. Spoon were as good as their table football suggested – they had beat us twice in a row.
My first Australian side show was at the Great Northern Hotel, a big old pub in Byron Bay, where the back room was packed and the atmosphere electric. Having finally thrown off the heavy hands of jetlag, I put in a well-paced set that did the trick, half the audience staying behind until closing time to hug me while we smiled into their mobile phone cameras.
2 Responses to “23rd January Byron Bay”
By Eddie Bell on Jan 28, 2008
Hi Billy, Sorry to bore you I’m sure you get plenty of accolades but the show in Byron Bay was just Fantastic. Saturday Boy has been the Anthem of my life since I bought Back to Basics many many years ago. Thank-you for coming to town, thank-you for signing my Bragg shirt and thank-you for your continued commitment to staying real. You are truely a top bloke.
By Karyn on Jan 30, 2008
I attended the show in Byron also and I concur it was Fantastic. I’ve seen you twice before once at the Festival Hall in Brisbane and once at an Irish music festival in California. This show in Byron was by far my most memorable music experience. You are truly inspirational and your music has been such a positive influence in my life. I cry each time I hear “Everywhere”.
Thank you so much for your important work and words.
I was pretty stoked to bump into you right after your set at the back of the hotel. It was a complete accident but very exciting for me and my husband Lane. I hope you didn’t go back on stage after that as I would hate to have missed it.
Thanks Billy, can’t say enough good things about you.