Live Review: Shag Rock, The Bluebottles

Stepping through a rainforest and into a renovated fuel tank may sound like an odd way to head to a gig, but for Cairns locals, this is just another night of epic live music.

The Tanks Arts Centre, nestled amidst the Cairns Botanical Gardens, is the breath-taking backdrop to where tonight’s show takes place. Within the Tanks’ sweeping circular concrete walls, thankfully air-conditioned from the classic Cairns humidity, the buzzing crowd let out a cheer as The Bluebottles take to the stage, welcoming the FNQ-born band back to their roots. Flooding every edge of the space with their sunshine-soaked, surf-tinged indie rock, The Bluebottles electrify the audience into a full-grooving frenzy. Awash with jangly riffs and mellow vocals, the support set kick the night off to a roaring start. For the Brissy-based up-and-comers, their impressive stage presence and well-rounded sound have certainly branded The Bluebottles as ones-to-watch.

Before the headline act step forward, the insulated foil ceiling of Tank 5, humble at first sight, erupts into a kaleidoscopic mosaic, reflecting sprays of rainbow light as the space breathes to life once more. The crowd cast a thundering welcome as Shag Rock stride into the spotlight. Without an ounce of hesitation, the five-piece dive right in, full throttle.

Masterfully carving dynamic ebbs and flows into their set, the audience soak up every second as Shag Rock bounce from banger to ballad. The band’s main vocalists Alex Wilson and Jacob Reed step aside after a couple songs to let their newest recruit, Tayla Young, emerging singer-songwriter under her own solo project, take to the mic. Young's hauntingly angelic vocals float over a mesmerised crowd, swaying in synchrony.

Blasting back into their set, Shag Rock crank up the tempo with an explosive rendition of their achingly raw track Creaky Minds from their latest double record Double Overhead. Not a still foot to be seen out on the floor, drummer Max Beech slides in his own choreography with a drumstick trick show, earning a string of cheers from the crowd.

Shaking things up as the show approaches its close, Reed puts down his guitar, grabs the mic off the stand and grooves his way into a Shag Rock take of Stardust’s 1998 electro-disco smash Music Sounds Better With You. Hot off the chorus, Wilson glides in with an Earth, Wind & Fire surprise, mashing a cover of September into the mix. The uniquely funky number - slathered thick with a Jungle Giants reminiscent vibe of chunky bass and dreamy synth - sends the crowd wild with a booming echo of baaaa-di-yaaaa’s.

Wrapping up the set before a sea of smiles and stretched arms, Shag Rock definitely delivered a night to remember for lucky Cairns fans: “They’ve absolutely killed it. Bringing so much epic live music back to the area… what more could you ask for.”