Rock solid night at Strand
TOWNSVILLE’S Strand Park will be taken over by some of the most exciting names in local and Aussie music tonight as part of the North Australian Festival of Arts.
Fremantle four-piece San Cisco, Brisbane group Young Lions and local up-and-comers Marrow Lane and Late November will present a free open-air concert, promising a massive night of live entertainment.
Indie-pop group San Cisco have just returned from a massive North American tour, with their 2018 single When I Dream sneaking into the top 50 of the most recent triple j Hottest 100.
San Cisco will be joined by Young Lions, who are working on their fourth album that has been close to two years in the making.
Vocalist Zach Britt said the band couldn’t wait to start releasing new tracks.
“We’re so psyched about how it’s turning out, it’s pretty next-level,” he said.
“We know for sure that we’re going to have a few songs out this year that will have a new direction.
“We’re playing the best that we think we’ve ever played, we’ve got new music coming out and we really hope we can play some ripper songs for you guys when we get there. We’re ready to blow off some steam after being in the studio, so it’s going to be a wild night.”
Young Lions have performed in Townsville previously alongside In Hearts Wake, and Zach said the group were excited to be back.
“It was unbelievable. We didn’t really know we had people up there who were going to come out and sing along, so it blew our minds,” he said.
“We’re looking at doing a (regional tour) really soon, sooner than everyone might think.”
Zach said Young Lions were big fans of San Cisco, and were keen to meet and share the stage with Townsville’s local acts.
“We’re always excited to sus out new music, it’s exciting to play with young up-and-coming bands,” he said.
“It’s what we wanted to do when we were young, and when we got those opportunities we had the time of our lives.
“If we can do anything to make sure these bands have a great show, that’s what we’re about too.”
Townsville group Marrow Lane took out the Townsville City Council Youth Music Comp earlier this year, and have also been busily working on new music since.
Band member Reuben Lomas said the group was thrilled to be supporting San Cisco and the other acts in front of a home crowd.
“It’s a bit hard to believe honestly, I don’t think it’s really sunk in yet but we’re definitely looking forward to it and seeing what people think of our new music,” Reuben said.
“I think it was 2015, (San Cisco) were at Groovin the Moo and I remember watching them and it was insane. They have such a cool vibe to them live.”
Reuben said Marrow Lane planned to release a new EP in the next couple of months.
“We’re hoping to have it all mastered pretty soon, fingers crossed it all goes well,” he said.
“It’s pretty much all recorded, but we just have to do a couple of final touches here and there.”
Reuben said the free Strand Park concert was a great way for Townsville music lovers to enjoy local acts close to home.
“It’s a really good way to see what’s going on musically, especially because Late November are playing as well,” he said.
“They’re awesome, they’re just a bunch of young kids from Pimlico. It’s all free, it’s something to do around Townsville and San Cisco is such a big name, it’s pretty crazy seeing them up here for such an open set.”
Late November took to Facebook just last week to announce their inclusion on the lineup, calling the show their “biggest gig yet”.
The six-piece were given the opportunity to play the show as a prize for winning the Neck Of The Woods Music Festival People’s Choice Award, which band member Alex Thomas said the group were stoked to receive.
“We love San Cisco, and we’re really happy to have the opportunity to play for them,” he said.
“Come and have a dance with us and show some support for the local guys. Let’s have a blast.”
Late November will also be performing at the Old Courthouse on July 26 as well as recording new music soon, and Alex said NAFA had been a great addition to the arts scene in Townsville.
“It’s exciting, and it’s about time Townsville started kicking itself into gear in terms of arts,” he said. “We’re pretty happy to see it explode.”
Catch the free concert TONIGHT at Strand Park from 5.30pm.