PLEASED TO MEET YOU
Kane Young previews a devilishly cool event
DOZENS of Tasmania’s best live acts — and a couple of mainland interlopers — will come together in Hobart next month for a pre-summer celebration of the state’s ever-growing music scene.
To be run by local booking, publicity, artist development and event management organisation Blume at the Salamanca Arts Centre on November 11, the second Band Meeting mini-festival will showcase the sounds of some of our leading funk, indie, rap, rock, electronic, gypsy, folk, psychedelic, grunge and punk acts, bringing together different scenes, introducing artists to new audiences, and providing valuable networking opportunities for emerging musicians.
The inaugural Band Meeting was held at the SAC on AFL Grand Final weekend in October 2015, showcasing more than 30 Tasmanians acts — including the likes of Maddy Jane, Jed Appleton, The Mornings, Lazer Baby, The Beautiful Chains, Tiger Choir, Babylon Howl and Verticoli — across two days.
“We wanted to put something on that gave performers the opportunity to play to new audiences and become closer with other artists from different genres that are on similar paths with their music,” Blume manager Sam Cole said at the time. “This is an opportunity to show the rest of Australia and the world how strong Tasmania’s growing music scene is, and encourage more acts to tour here.”
This year’s event will feature two interstate guests: hardworking Sydney band Bad Pony, who are booked for the huge SxSW conference in Texas next year; and Melbourne psychedelic funk ensemble Sofala.
Former Hobart (now Melbourne) band Quivers, led by Sam J Nicholson, will also make the trip for a Peacock Theatre show.
Hobart acts include the Mercury’s 2017 Falls Festival Foster Band The Surreal Estate Agents; garage rockers A. Swayze & The Ghosts; Seth Henderson and his band; bluegrass duo The Stragglers; Ben Lawless and his Lawless Quartet; “folk punk scum” Squid Fishing; Triangles in Heat (Jed Appleton and Jake Long); jazz seven-piece Uncle Gus & The Rim Shots; electro-pop solo act Baltimore; and Carl Renshaw’s trio Black Hole Sugar.
Launceston acts include singer-guitarist Pat Broxton (from The Sleepyheads); Party in the Paddock festival director Jesse Higgs (from Younger Dryas); Disrepute (Bansheeland frontwoman Mary Shannon); and psychedelic rock band Teens.
Beats will be provided by popular local producer Kowl; Hobart rapper Promise; glitchhop and electro house production duo Out of Context (OOC); veteran club DJ Corney; and DJ Poncho (aka Frenchy).
Across five stages at the Salamanca Arts Centre — including in the Courtyard, Founders Room and Peacock Theatre — Band Meeting 2017 is on Saturday November 11. Tickets are $18 pre-sale or $25 at the door for over-18s; and $15 pre-sale or $20 at the door for under18s. Go to www.trybooking.com for bookings.