REVIEW: HARVEST ROCK ADELAIDE

Congrats, Harvest. You nailed another bumper crop.

Words by Kate Holland⎪Images by Nash Blight

Harvest Rock II saw festival lovers bathe in music with a side serving of comfort this October 28 and 29. So solid was the lineup, I clocked more than 20,000 steps each day, weaving my way between stages. 

The highlights started Saturday, when hometown legends Bad//Dreems delivered powerful pub rock and messages in equal measure. Singer Ben Marwe commanded the stage at every twist and turn as he punched through the outfit’s biggest tracks. When ‘Jack’ (a song about truth-telling) spoke to "giving it back" the audience seemed to agree. The frog cakes and Farmers Union Ice Coffee cartons shared and showered on punters didn’t go amiss, either. 

New Zealand singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Ladyhawke was surprisingly (and delightfully) awkward for someone so talented. Thankfully, her vocals adjusted in time for ‘River’ (a track she wrote with Nick Littlemore for electro outfit PNAU) and ‘Paris is Burning’. And when 2009 anthem ‘My Delirium’ closed out the set, the crowd as singing every word wholeheartedly.  

The Aussie rock royalty that made up the Rolling Stones Revue – Tim Rogers, Adalita and Tex Perkins – were ON as they whipped through the seminal English rockers hits and the cosmic vibrations were high at War Paint, who I peeled myself away to discover. 

Bernard Fanning’s set felt like a reflective pause. While his renditions of ‘Songbird’ and ‘Sunsets’ pleased, it was the stripped back version of ‘These Days’ that hit us all in the guts with the track’s nostalgia and beauty. 

Nile Rogers and CHIC never disappoint, and this performance was no exception. It was a masterclass in vocal delivery and instrumental prowess, with some music history on the side. 

Even Jay Kay of Jamiroquai suggested he was nervous to follow. He needn’t have worried.  Backed by impressive projections and a top-notch band of his own (the guitars were incredible), he showcased his own vocal chops and took us on a journey through an impressive cascade of hits, sending fans virtually insane…

Sunday introduced me to solo stars Chet Faker and Tash Sultana. Wow. But it was Yolngu rapper, dancer, artist, and actor Baker Boy who stopped me in my tracks. He oozed heart (singing in multiple language) and showcased all the moves. His energy and music were so infectious had he closed the day, I would not have complained. 

But there was more to come – different, but equally compelling. Bright Eyes had come all the way from a ‘long, lost galaxy in Nebraska.’ With a reputation as an emo folk band, I wondered how they’d fit. But their plaintive tones and poetic lyrics were breathtaking and warmly received. ‘Lua’ keeps playing in my head.

Our own poet, Paul Kelly, followed and the power of storytelling songs sank deep. Not to mention the cohesion of long-time bands. Kelly has played with some of his musicians for over 30 years and it shows.

And then there was LA-born Beck, who was in full frontman mode. Donned in leather pants, he was flanked by gobsmacking visuals and band. He had us from the outset with ‘Devils Haircut’ and showcased his versatility until the final note rang out.

Congrats, Harvest. You nailed another bumper crop.