Live Review: Ballarat Beat Rockabilly Festival

The inaugural Ballarat Beat Rockabilly Festival has, unsurprisingly, seen an army of classic cars, well-dressed lovers of all things 1950s, and bands descend on the historic gold rush town of Ballarat. This celebration of mid-century music (and lifestyle) is, effectively, a sister weekend to the Camperdown Cruise Rockabilly Festival, both organised by Arthur “The Rockabilly King” Matsakos. The lack of any kind of cooling at the Mining Exchange is making for a very uncomfortable Friday night. However, the oppressive heat is doing nothing to quell the enthusiasm of the stalwarts of rockabilly gigs: the dancers. With enough twirling to cause mild motion sickness, they twist and turn the night away to the fine sounds of the Crawdads, Kieron McDonald Combo, Atomic Hi-Tones, The Continentals and from the Wild Records (USA) stable, Bebo. Bebo and his band – which tonight also includes labelmate and rockabilly wunderkind, Omar Romero – round out the bands playing at the Mining Exchange. Advantage is taken of Romero's inclusion, as he takes the lead for a couple of Omar & The Stringpoppers' tunes. After, there's a nice DJ set at the George (which is acting as the official hotel of Ballarat Beat) seeing out the night.

Saturday arrives with more scorching temperatures. With gigs starting at 10am, it's an early start, especially considering the very late night shenanigans. This weekend is not just about the music, though, with a market area containing a surprisingly large number of stalls, having been set up on Camp Street for those happy to take a break from the bands.

Seeking shelter from the blazing sun, there's a decent crowd gathered at the George to catch Tasmanian outfit Sin & Tonics. They're at their Reverend Horton Heat-esque best and provide a soundtrack for some very fervent dancing. Trades Hall is home to four bands today, including Scotty Baker and The ReChords. With its confined space, the venue's acoustics seem to add a little extra something to the bands' performances. The venue is pretty full as The ReChords take to the stage. As they run through their set, the crowd reactions seem to get louder and louder, culminating in the most enthusiastic call for an encore heard so far this festival.

Swing dance lessons are being held at the Mining Exchange, and while at the Tiki Bar, you can try your hand (or should that be feet?) at rock'n'roll dance classes. If the history of rockabilly music is more your thing, that's catered for, too, with Sun Rising's Songs That Made Memphis set.

The evening's entertainment starts at the Mining Exchange at 7.30pm with one of the definite highlights of the weekend: Queensland's Men Into Space. You cannot help but love a band who have not only dressed the part (complete with helmets), but have one guitar with a keyboard and a lap steel guitar added to it and another with a theremin attached to it (and yes, they use all the instruments during the set). As per last night though, the venue is highly uncomfortable heat-wise. Other bands on offer tonight include the Pat Capocci Combo, Wes Pudsey & The Sonic Aces, the Netherlands' CC Jerome's Jetsetters and The Desperados, while over at the Ballarat Mechanics' Institute, there are Swing Train and Midnight Drifters.

As with other festivals where the entertainment is spread across a number of stages or locations, trying to work out the finer logistical details is, at times, a little overwhelming, especially in 30+ degree weather. That aside, all the bands put in great performances and the audiences enjoy every minute.