Ellaways Music Round One Wrap
With an attendance of over 200 people, the epic rock show that was the 2014 Weekend Warriors Big Gig descended upon the Kedron Wavell Services Club, on Sunday 28th September.
Under the tutelage of bonafide rock legend Kerry Jacobson approx. 30 Warriors had split into 5 rocking bands, Hell n’ Back, 5 Aces, Six Shades Of Grey, Winter is Coming, and Recharge put on 5 rocking sets.
Our openers Hell ‘N Back made light work of a tough job, with rocking front-woman Helen Spry’s audience interaction easily warming up the massive crowd. Their killer set included some inspired renditions of The Angels ‘No Secrets’, Alannah Myles ‘Black Velvet’ and Pat Benatar’s “Hit Me With Your Best Shot”.
5 Aces took to the stage next wasting no time before launching into a rocking version of John Cougar Mellencamp’s ‘Hurts So Good’. With some more vintage tracks getting the spotlight; their ambitious version of The Beatles’ Ticket To Ride is a huge success and ups the audience’s energy again. Finishing with a version of April Sun in Cuba as a homage to Coach, Kerry, the band leaves the stage with newly acquired showmanship.
Rocking into their set with Joe Cocker’s ‘The Letter’, Six Shades of Grey’s set is littered with great song choice and the extravagantly dressed David Brown’s vocals suit the track perfectly. Taking full advantage of their line-up; allowing saxophonist Robert Milne shines through in Gerry Rafferty’s ‘Baker Street’.
Taking their name from the popular HBO series Game of Thrones; Winter Is Coming lived up to the epic connotations of their name, delivering a rocking contemporary set list, including a touching duet between vocalist Jane Saxby and her Dad, Don Saxby. Not that you would know it, but this was Jane’s first time up on stage, and the audience relished her affinity for both the material and her fellow performers.
Rounding out the show would have been a difficult task for Recharge, given the quality of the 4 acts that preceded them, however, any worries they may have had were cast into the wind roughly 3 chords into their righteous rendition of ‘Stop Dragging My Heart Around’. Paveena Todd’s vocals cut effortlessly through the solid rhythms of Anthony Beveridge’s drums and John McNamee’s pounding bass.
The afternoon was a great success with very satisfied musicians and audience members alike. The feedback from the participants was invaluable and several audience members have shown interest in joining the next round of Weekend Warriors. All round Ellaways Music (alongside AMA) has been very proud to bring the Warriors Brand back to Brisbane.
Visit the Ellaways Facebook page to see photos from the event and if you are interested in joining the Weekend Warrior program or you want to keep up to date with upcoming events; you can enroll obligation free at weekendwarriors.org.au. Or contact Chelsea at Ellaways on 0733598266 or chelsea.scott@ellaways,com.au.