Photos by Cody Buchert,
Colour By Codes Photography
All images are Copyright Cody Buchert/Colour By Codes Photography 2009/2010.

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Tuross Music Festival August 2010

For the sake of prosperity, I write the following summary.
The second Tuross Music Festival was held Friday 13th and Saturday 14th August 2010. The Friday night session, held at the Tuross Tavern was titled “Sound 13” and was entirely the concept of and organised by Simon Abbottsmith. The opening acts were two groups of mostly Tuross locals, Plus More and Aubergine Dream. Grant Beasley from Melbourne, The Sly Moose Project from Narooma and skylightCOVE 5 from Canberra all played impressive performances. Simon, who had supplied the sound gear as well as mixed the sound board, aided by a number of friends, brought his own band Evacuate The Fallen on for an inspiring set.

The night finished with DJ Codes and his dance music.

The Saturday show at the Tavern began with return performances by Aubergine Dream, Plus More and skylightCOVE5.

Tony & Lisa from Moruya and My Hearts Desire from Lithgow kicked off a brilliant afternoon session. Steve Benic and Rob Hamilton were very good as always and the brilliant Matt Southon showed why he is the premier south coast based blues artist. With artists getting up and supporting their fellow performers, it was a brilliant display of musicianship.

Evening performances from Big Erle from the Illawarra, Tuross institution Spicy Fruit Chutney Last Train Home from the Blue Mountains, talented local collection the Normals were all acclaimed.

The final act was the very polished Damn Fine Gentlemen from Wollongong who closed the night with a damn fine blues/ rock show. All in all, clearly the best twelve hours of live music ever seen in Tuross Head, the match of any session anywhere. Pity the local population failed to get off their arses and come along and see the acts. I doubt such quality will ever be repeated, so too late, you lose. Those who were there are still raving over the event.

The Saturday Gala Concert at the Country Club also suffered from a lack of patronage to what was a fabulous line up of acts. The Sing Australia Choir from Moruya /Batemans Bay opened with a strong set. Solo artists in Jack Sibthorpe from the ACT, Euey Collins and Glen Philip from Narooma had good sets and Heartbeat with Peter & Libby Evans again showed their class.

The Eurobodalla‘s Seaside Ukulele Orchestra conducted an introduction workshop and followed up with an enjoyable song and strut show. Traditional jazz by the talented members of the Second Time Round band had the diners wowed and Alan Blackshaw from Nowra performed his ballads to perfection. The evening session was lead by celtic band Humbug from the ACT, Spicy Fruit Chutney continued the celtic theme and the show was closed late by perennial favourite Sandman Panel Van. Again, too few people came out to see a fabulous line up.

Thanks to Peter Evans for supplying and manning the sound gear at the club and for his MC efforts, same to Euey Collins to for the song!

I would be remiss if I didn’t highlight the efforts of Signa Reddy, who controlled the Friday and Saturday shows at the Tavern. Prior to the show she was a tyro in getting posters and advertising out and trying to get sponsors and accommodation for artists. There would not have been a show without you. My deepest thanks.

Thanks also to Bill Quinn, who couldn’t be there over the weekend, but was instrumental in talking a number of artists to come and perform. I missed you you big unit, thanks.

To our primary sponsors Linray Finance & Leasing of Queanbeyan, thanks to Bruce Corby and his partners for their financial support. If anyone is seeking the services of the best team in the game, call them.

I also thank Lei at the Tuross Giant and all the presenters at community radio 2 EAR-FM for their fantastic support and promotion of the event.

To the performers who came willing to play, I’m sorry for the lack of support the town of Tuross Head showed you. Those few who came are still talking about the fantastic artists they saw. I sure many will be fans of yours well into the future. I personally will treasure meeting you and look forward to seeing you all perform in bigger and better places. My deepest and genuine thanks.

Lastly I have no intention of trying to do a third Festival here in Tuross Head; such is my disappointment with the poor audiences. I thank those who came along – you know how good the acts and performances were. But to the rest who whinge and complain that there is nothing to see or do in Tuross, I have nothing but contempt.

Ian Traynor.