The Entertainment Grounds, Gosford
Saturday 23 March 2024
Reviewer / Photographer: Jo Forster
Another brilliant day out at The Entertainment Grounds at the end of last month. Empire Touring brought classic rock and pop acts from the ’70s and ’80s to a capacity crowd, eager to celebrate Australian music.
The star studded line up was backed with a killer house band made up of some of the best session and touring artists going around. Stellar musicians such as Travis New on lead guitar, fresh from extensive touring with artists such as Andrew Farris and Imogen Clarke, Victor Rounds on bass and the ever gorgeous Robin Loau on backing vocals. These festivals are always incredibly well organised, from the line up choices, to venue staffing, green room hospitality, technical crew and crowd management; but having a professional house band made for quick changeovers and no loss of momentum across the afternoon and evening.
Always supportive of up and coming artists, Empire Touring once again featured the kids from Big Music Bandits opening the day. All under 18s and all extremely talented. Unfortunately, I got there too late to shoot them this time but have been lucky enough to capture them on previous festivals.
Hitting the stage with ever abounding energy and enthusiasm, Ally Fowler and Eve Von Bibra were definite crowd pleasers, performing all their hits from The Chantoozies and interacting with the band and punters, and thankfully with the photographers too! Jack Jones acoustic set gave us all time to catch a little breather with his laid back renditions of Southern Sons classics. The reprieve was short lived however, Mi-Sex took to the stage fronted by Noiseworks member Steve Balbi suited up and ready to mesmerise the crowd alongside formative keyboard player Murray Burns. Intense and expressive, Balbi is the perfect front man to continue the legacy of Mi-Sex.
Songman Brian Cadd brought his little ray of sunshine to us all, centre stage behind his keyboard and looking every bit the classic touring musician, a look in his eyes that said he had many a story to tell. The always beautiful Wendy Matthews vocals sung out to the ever growing and appreciative crowd. Flowing silver locks tied up allowing her radiant smile and energy to permeate from the front of the barricades right through to the entrance of the racecourse. Classic pub rock followed as The Radiators took to the stage and brought the sunset with them. ‘You Give Me Head’ a distinct crowd pleaser and polar opposite to Wendy’s ‘I Don’t Wanna Be With No One But You’, nonetheless, all acts across the day complimented each other despite any differences in genre.
Richard Clapton commanded the stage and was thankfully convinced to give us 5 songs instead of the 4 he thought he would get away with. Big afro style hair and dark sunglasses, there was no mistaking the silhouette of this classic Australian musician. Brian Canham brought his rock star ‘cool’ to Gosford, outfit complete with sunglasses and full leather. The new Pseudo Echo band made up of quite young players and I have to make special mention of the incredible female drummer. Seeing her in the green room, I had no forewarning of the energy and power she possessed once seated at the kit – so impressive.
Ross Wilson co headlined and thrilled the crowd with Daddy Cool and Mondo Rock Australian anthems, ‘Eagle Rock’ and ‘Come Said The Boy’ – Ross showed us all that there’s no better than the original. Such a commanding performer and incredibly talented songwriter and producer, yet completely unassuming to see him offstage. A true professional.
Joe Camilleri and The Black Sorrows rounded out the festival and what a way to finish. Accompanied by James Black, famously known as the Rock Wiz Orkestra and Mondo Rock keyboardist, Joe was an absolute crowd favourite. His guitar playing and pink saxophone second only to the frontman’s charisma and stage presence.
Once again, Empire Touring has brought the goods to Gosford and I for one can’t wait for the next one.
