Top Music Makers Set Hobart Venues Rocking
Author: Linda Smith
Music fans were treated to a giant dose of entertainment in Hobart last night as several big name international and Australian artists came to town.
In one of the largest nights of live music to hit Hobart in years, Aussie rock legends INXS, Melbourne rock trio The Living End, Perth act End Of Fashion, Aussie Blues and roots star Ash Grunwald and UK DJ Krafty Kuts played to sell-out crowds at various venues around Hobart.
The Derwent Entertainment Centre was filled to the brim as rockers of all ages turned out to see INXS take to the stage as part of their Switched On national tour.
The group, which has sold more than 35 million records in its 25-year career, is now riding a new wave of popularity thanks to Canadian lead singer JD fortune, who was recently added to the band after a worldwide reality TV search.
Regarded as one of the world’s best bands during the 80s and 90s, INXS had a number of lead singers including Terence Trent D’Arby and John Stevens since charismatic front man Michael Hutchence died in 1997.
As the DEC rocked so too did Hobart ‘s City Hall, as The Living End and End Of Fashion played to a somewhat younger, but also sell-out crowd. With the critically acclaimed chart-topping fourth album State Of Emergency still fresh in people’s minds, The Living End impressed fans with their live prowess.
And End Of Fashion didn’t disappoint either, as fans leapt around in the mosh pit and sang along to chart hits including O Yeah! and She’s Love.
North Hobart’s Republic Bar was a hive of activity as dreadlocked Ash Grunwald performed songs from his new blues and roots album Give Signs.
Meanwhile, music lovers took to the dance floor as popular UK DJ Krafty Kuts filled inner-city nightclub Halo with his break-beat tunes.
Last night’s entertainments was part of a giant weekend of music in Hobart. Friday night kicked off with Melbourne troubadour Dan Kelly – nephew of Paul – and his band The Alpha Males at the Republic Bar. The festivities continue today, when Grunwald, prolific US guitarist Bob Brozman and 21-year-old Victorian guitar prodigy Rob Sawyer play at the Lewisham Tavern from 3:00 PM.
Hobart’s Rockin’ Night
Whether they were longtime INXS fans from the band’s heyday in the 1980s or teenage admirers of The Living End, fans of good Aussie music had a rockin’ good time at sell-out gigs around Hobart last night.
In what was one of Hobart’s biggest nights of music, Glenorchy’s Derwent Entertainment Centre came alive as thousands rocked to the familiar and much-loved sounds of INXS.
The on-stage antics – including plenty of gyrating towards other band members and the audience – entertained the crowd.
Meanwhile, thousands more pumped-up fans leapt around in the mosh pit at Hobart’s City Hall as Aussie acts The Living End and End Of Fashion belted out their chart-topping hits.
Armed with glow sticks, mobile phones and digital cameras, revellers packed the City Hall and spent their night dancing.