Chris Isaak – A Day on The Green Mt Cotton April 2024
If there was a tenseness in the air, it was doubled more-so at the Day On The Green, Mt Cotton.
Soundtracks have always been a part of our lives. Movies rarely have a scene without layering some background sounds. Just like surf, wind, birds or a blizzard. Maybe a version – happy or mysterious – of the thematic score embedded into the film. It attempts to create a 2D into an almost 3D ambience within the theatre. We want to feel what they are screening.
Being outdoors, listening to loud cool music is a treat.
At Sirromet, one of Southeast Queensland’s premier wineries, crowds are sitting on the gentle slopes of a hill. Weather apps warn of an impending shower. A few thousand willing the clouds away. (Well, geeez, that didn’t work, people.)
The great acts beforehand – Mason Watts – an up-and-coming solo singer and guitarist on the last gig of his tour. He’d just returned from a European stint including Paris, Berlin, Munich and Amsterdam.
Then the stage storming sister act – Vika and Linda and their band. Holy moley! With their song wanting to “throw a grenade in this charade”, they had my attention completely through what seemed to be shorter than their allotted 45-minute set. But it wasn’t, and there’s only one possible reason for this. They were amazing.
By now the clouds had a darker tint.
A short break brought Victoria-based AFL fanatic Mark Seymour and the Undertow onstage. Much loved by the audience when they kicked off with his 2015 hit “Football Train”. He pressed on despite a huskier than normal raspy singing voice. The after-effects of barracking for his favourite team.
Bringing on the interim DJ, “Johnny Lightbulb” (and his Kimono) gave us some alternative humorous diversion, more nervous weather watchers waited.
I’ve never seen Boy and Bear before. Their rise to prominence came from their start as an Indie folk band in 2009. Pushing through to eventually gain both Gold record status (35,000 copies shipped in Australia) and a whole lot of fans. One standout song was their dedication to Neil and Tim Finn with “Fall At Your Feet.”
The crowds were getting antsy regarding the weather. It’d held off so far, and then the evitable drops started. Could we be lucky, and it stay okay for Chris Isaak?
Yeah / Nah…. down it came.
But the most unusual reaction happened. Nobody moved except to grab ponchos, raincoats, anything remotely half waterproof. Everything I had wasn’t, eventually.
Out of the dripping darkness, suddenly the stage lighting displayed a ghostly glittery figure and band.
Chris Isaak. Smiling, no actually grinning.
Straight into “American Boy” and onto his award nominated 1995 smash hit “Somebody’s Crying”.
This iconic performer was sincerely moved by the visible devotedness of a hill-full of fans. How moved? He was offered a wide umbrella and three security guys. Chris ventured out in the crappiest of weather, standing and merging, meeting and greeting through the crowds. Ironically singing “Here I Stand”. He passed literally right by my seat, and it was if it was the Saviour himself was there!
Chris Isaak clearly in no rush to leave patrons, calmly went back to the pit area and up onto the stage. Continuing with “Don’t Leave Me On My Own”, “Put Out Your Hand” and of course the instantly recognisable “Wicked Game”. This concert rocked!
I have never, ever enjoyed the drenching rain so much in this most unusual way. Tangibly it formed the additional soundtrack to this brilliant performance. Chris Isaak of course shared many of his international hits – but the greatest unifying song for the night would have to be “Baby Did a Bad, Bad Thing”.
Like a giant hillside sponge, the audience really soaked this concert up…
Reviewed by 101FM Radio Presenter Stu Robertson
Photography by Michelle Cop (MC Photography)
