How Triple J's One Night Stand Changed Everything For Alex The Kid

It’s 8:10am the morning after the triple j One Night Stand as I’m writing this, and I am sure of only two things right now:

1. Our collective hangovers require immediate medical attention; and
2. That was the greatest day/night ever!

Since our great hometown of Geraldton was announced as the host of triple j’s 2016 One Night Stand, it has been a massive deal for everyone here. The local pride that has shown through the community is intense!

A young school student pointed at me through the window with their friends and did a shaka hand gesture. That was the first time the nerves really flooded through.

Every moment along the way has been surreal, from receiving the phone call from Linda Marigliano of triple j just over a week ago to running on-stage at the end of Alison Wonderland’s awesome performance with all the acts, to staying out all morning and quite possibly becoming the drunkest men in Geraldton and rambling to artists and triple j presenters alike.

The morning of the show, I went into our local burrito place (standard practice) and a young school student pointed at me through the window with their friends and did a shaka hand gesture. That was the first time the nerves really flooded through. That was pretty cool.

From there, I met up with the other band guys, and we loaded in our backline and went on a tour of the stage and broadcast areas. Last time I was at the Wonthella Oval was September gone, when I had to run water for my local footy team after getting cut from the grand final. Needless to say, this was a million times cooler already! 

We spent the first hour in the home team change rooms of the footy oval with Zan Rowe and Urthboy as a part of a triple j Unearthed workshop for local aspiring artists. That was really great, an insightful and down-to-earth (no pun intended) chat about the trials and tribulations of the music world, with a few funnies in there also. They were both really great to talk with, although we did find out Urthboy supports Sydney Swans, so that was a bit of a letdown.

It wasn’t long until we got to hit the stage for soundcheck. At this point nerves, were at a peak! Playing in front of all our friends and family and co-workers and pretty much everyone in Geraldton is one thing, but I think I was more nervous about playing with so many great artists within earshot. Regardless, we did our thing, and it sounded absolutely amazing up there. Two BIG foldbacks just for me AND side fills!? That was awesome, a nice change.

Before we knew it, the gates opened and it filled right up. I couldn’t believe the amount of people waiting front of stage for us to kick the music off! In amongst the front of stage crowd was my own dad, a 57-year-old farmer. He had a great time, and since I’ve had a few young One Night Standers send through Facebook messages with photos attached of them with my dad: “This wouldn't be your old man, would it?... He's a legend, didn't leave the front row of the mosh for a solid hour and a half!!” 

Great work, Dad!

Soon came time for us to take stage! Nerves! The adrenaline was akin to skydiving. After the first few songs in the pure shock factor started to let off and I was able to have fun with it. A lot of fun. Our singer, James, brought an insane amount of energy to the stage. It simply didn’t feel real, seeing such a massive crowd; a circle pit/mosh even broke out! A few people jumped on shoulders! People singing! It was the best.

"I guess sometimes a song you write in your early 20s about drinking beer and jacking off CAN get played on national radio. Go us!"

Before we knew it, it was all over. We jumped straight off stage and went up to the triple j broadcast. Veronica and Lewis had the tough job of making sense out of adrenaline-rushed ramblings, but they were also great to talk to!

I believe it was the first four songs of the set that went live to air, a few that I thought well and truly belonged in the realms of radio-proof, but there you have it! I guess sometimes a song you write in your early 20s about drinking beer and jacking off CAN get played on national radio. Go us!

Thereafter it was all hugs, high fives, talking to artists and watching the acts from side stage. I was a bit of a fanboy and got a snap with Bernard Fanning, and another with Alison Wonderland. You’re not not going to get a photo with them if you have the chance, right?!

Finally, after an awesome afternoon/evening of live music, the time came to wrap everything up. We took our gear home and dived straight into a few cold drinks. In our late night adventures we were lucky enough to run into the likes of the Boy & Bear crew, Bernard Fanning, Alex Dyson and Lewis Hobba.

Sometime around 4am, after losing a few people here and there, James (vocals), my wife Jasmine and I walked home with some strangers/friends we met.

The vibe at the gig and around town afterwards was amazing; it was the greatest weekend.