Go Mason Go

First band of the night. As the presenter screams their name they kick off with a bang. Excellent start. Lots of energy from this 5 piece band composed of 2 guitars, bass, drums and keyboards. Excellent singer and guitar player. What I noticed was the young girls in the crowd melting for the lead singer. It's the same story around the world. A good looking singer with a great voice and you have the magic formula. They play indie rock with a smile on their faces. The first song was actually very good. The second and third get lost with long intros and don't seem as good but it's a small detail. Excellent guitar tone from the lead guitarist. He has a dirty, warm sound that really suits the songs. A bit stiff was the bass player but bass players are allowed I suppose. They have great potential these boys. The have ideas but perhaps they need to work on the arrangements. Still, for their age they are very good. They have a great future judging by the crowd appreciation. Great effort.

Usual Suspect

Another young band. This one is a bit more attentive and have done their home work properly. The songwriting is excellent in the arrangements department but the static impact of the band on stage is a downer. Perhaps due to a bit of nerves or just low stage confidence but this is just a detail because their really fresh songwriting. Maybe they have too many bits in their songs where guitars are too prominent but overall they are good. The singer is good with excellent voice control but as I said, a bit static when watching them. The songs through the set have some good guitar lead breaks which seems to work. Overall, it seems that the lads have spent time with this project. I can tell they are dedicated. The only negative element I can personally say was the unecessary drum solo. Too long and too boring, especially when you only have 25 minutes in your set. Still, the audience appreciated it so I suppose it works. This is a band that spends time working out and experimenting. Admirable.

Soula

This is the band representing Queensland. Rock, soul with energy. A mix of old school rock with a fresh, modern approach. The band is a five piece with an excellent look. A pleasure to see a band like this on stage. A visual impact for us that is no doubt being thought and masterminded properly by these intelligent members. The band is lead by the competent Teila Packman. A woman that oozes sexiness on stage and is truly captivating. The guitarist plays a semi-acoustic (very well I may add) and the rhythm section is good. Add a saxophone player and you have a tight, well rehearsed group of musicians. The songs are pleasant and well executed. Perhaps what they need is a super single. A song with a really good hook. Still, we heard excellent B-sides here from this band. Maybe a slow ballad would have brought out the singer's incredible vocal qualities. They all move well on stage with self confidence and experience. Every effort to entertain the crowd is well rewarded. Considering this is a band from out of state tonight they have done a terrific job. Very good.

Night Safe

Energy, energy, energy. Powerful rock. Fast and with no frills. Four piece comprised of singer + 3 piece band. On stage you have a strong physical and moves taken from the rock star textbook. If the singer from Go MASON GO made all the under age girls melt, the singer from NIGHT SAFE makes all the 18+ women go absolutely silly. The 4 guys play well together. They range from californian punk to straight rock. Well written songs are there. They may need a good arranger/producer to bring out the best in them. They are cool on stage and the crowd love them. Having said that I don't feel that they are terribly original but this is a smal detail because the crowd seems to have given them their approval and that is the only thing that matters.

Shadow at play

They start with a ballad. You have to have balls to start with a slow song. They do have 'em. An acoustic guitar, a telecaster, and the bass that throws octaves here and there. A soft atmosphere tinged with nice sounds. They create a great mood. The second tune does not have the impact of the first one. Still a ballad but a bit less convincing. They are a cross between a rock band and a country outfit. They have a bit of americana in them with the mood of britain. It's strange mix that somehow works. They are calm, cool and a maybe too still but you're allowed I suppose when you play music of this sort. The third song is a bit more up-tempo and not bad at all. The right arrangements and the right dosage of energy. This is a good band that need to revisit their songs because they could do with a good 20% less in them. Still, the ideas are there and the balls too.

Blue Candy

The mood setting changes when Blue Candy tread the stage. Soul, latin and so many ideas that leave all the others behind.
The songs good even though they miss that one hit song. Technically these guys are above good. They are excellent. A solid band that I would have no problems booking for my party. A strong brass section tops this already wonderful group of people. They are professional and they are a cut above the rest as far as the show goes and the crowd loves them. They have two hundred people dancing to their every beat. The even dabble with a bit of latin mixed with Rap. Very enjoyable indeed. When the guitarist start a really funky riff the crowd goes wild. These guys are so good I am tempted to sell them to the corporate events department at the white house in Washington. The show left a smile on my face that will be there for the next 2 days I'm sure.

Auribus

This band has a woman on keyboard that reminds me of Debbie Harry (physically I mean). They have that 80's sound as well so we're in for something good. This is good pop tinged with rock and disco sounds of the 80's. The lead singer plays the bass parts on his keytar and does really well in keeping everything together. This is a band with very little airs and graces. They get the job done and do a bloody good job. Simple, straight forward pop played by a band with great stage presence. Songs not top 10 material but I can hear something there that is really likeable. Can't quite put my finger on it but they have something that is positive. An element of fun perhaps. I would say that with a good producer they could get better results but still, they were a pleasant surprise.

Virtue

This is the band from Melbourne. I've already seen this band and reviewed they great performance at the Hi-Fi. A powerful trio. A kick in the face from this band. A meaty guitar sound, a solid rhythm section and a voice to die for. Songs are well performed and well written. The drummer and bass player hold the foundation together and woman singing and playing guitar puts the topping. These guys are teaching the younger ones how to play an efficient, solid set of rock and roll songs. No frills here. Just a solid show. This is rock that could be commerical enough to sell to the radios. They compose such great tunes that I'm surprised they don't have any airplay. A rock look on stage that is not too heavy nor too simple. It is totally inherent to the sound they are giving us. I loved this band. Once again, proof that all you need is three people to rock.

Cuervo

Here we go...4 incredibly spirited guys playing rock. The music is hard, sweet, brilliant and modern. The band is very tight. Very much in the pocket. A sensationally effective set from these really competent musicians. I really can not find any faults even if I wanted. Great songs, uber confident and with a good singer that is not the best in the field but he does really does suit the band. The level here is high even though never overdone or too «showy». There's a small attempt to throw in some strange or original arrangements in their song and that is done without trying too hard. This band does everything good without over doing it. They are direct, powerful and all round really tight. As far as rock show is concerned, this is the best I've seen so far. Just the right measure of everything but the stage presence......which is really, really terrific. Nine out of ten if it was up to me.

Rattlesnake

You couldn't get any more american rock than this. A band that looks bored on stage but that is part of their look and attitude. They play old school rock and they are a cross between guns & roses and decent metal bands. Not fast rock but the old school one that have some elements of blues in the riffs but with a hard rock attitude. They can certainly play. They are competetent and skilled. Great guitarists in the band and they try to involve the crowd which by now has dwindled a bit. None the less they are good but perhaps with a much better drummer they could have faired better. He is decent and does his job but perhaps for this kind of show you needed a monster. As I said, all round a good band.

Cascade

What can I say about Cascade. They have the power, the voice, the songs and before I even seen them I had their song "circles" floating around the office for ages. All the colleagues loved the song. Some even taking the tune to germany and Italy for their friends. Basically, this is no frills rock with powerful melodies. Simple as that. American sounding perhaps but here we have a truly special band. One that can write and perform top tunes.This is american top 40 FM radio hits. Hit after hit. Even if they don't do anything the worse case scenario would be to sell their tunes to some established band. I am still talking about one of the best bands I have seen in Australia. Period. A five piece with a great singer, 2 spectacular guitarists and a super solid rhythm section. All very motivated and very concentrated on their set. If I were a rock promoter in Sydney I'd snap them up in a flash. Bloody marvellous.

Justine Wahlin & the men

It's Justine's turn. With her men, she starts off with a slow ballad. Such beautiful melodies in this song, she sets the mood straight away. This song has the elements and the songwriting patterns of the best american and british female pop song.
Profound lyrics and polished sounds makes this one of the surprises of the night. Emotionally charged, this woman carries through the set with all really good songs. From start to finish it's a fervent spirit she sets and we are in awe of her talents. It's true that beautifl songs have a different impact when heard live but she really does an excellent job. The five piece band has a keyboard player, an electric guitarist, bass and drums that are the foundation to Justine herself who is on Acoustic and voice. The set was never obvious and cliche but always sweet and full of gorgeous melodies. If I was to say a negative point about the band pehaps would be on their « stage look » which seemed weak. It looks like they made no effort to dress up a bit. But then again, we are not talking about looks here and perhaps that was their artistic choice. Who knows. Let's Just talk great melodies.

Throw Catch

The last band of the night is Throw Catch. Another powerful rock band with great musicians that have spent half their life time learning the instrument. It pays off. Always. They are tight, skilled and communicate their energy with confidence and a touch of healthy arrogance. The singer hits every single note with ease, even the highest ones. The songs may not sound original because rock and roll is not new but they are well written and very, very well arranged. It is not easy to close the night because everybody expects the last band to top all the others. They do a great job. They deliver the goods but it is now up to the judges to decide who will go to Germany. Throw catch was a wonderful way to close the evening. Powerful rock that has everybody shaking and grooving. Thank god they were up to the task, now let's see the real test.
 
The panel of judges have done the voting. Well, tonight many bands were good and the level was phenomenal but only one group can go and represent Australia in Germany next August...drum roll please: It's CUERVO! Good luck guys. You are going to Germany next August. Second placed Virtue from Melbourne and third Blue candy. Then - very close - Auribus, Justin Wahlin, Soula and Cascade. 8th position for Shadow at play, then Usual Suspect and Throw Catch. And so another year has passed and many, many good bands competed in the Emergenza Festival. Good luck to all the bands that have played through the season and thank you all for making Australia one of the finest countries with amazing music scenes al round. Superb!

If you want to take part and play at the Metro Theatre next year, click here!