I Love Life Fest @ The Tivoli, Brisbane - 12/09/2015

The Smith Street Band's unruly show at Splendour in the Grass 2015 left everyone wanting more, and the Smith Street Band delivered once again by announcing the beginning of the annual Poison City Records ‘I Love Life Fest’ heading to Sydney and Brisbane with none other than Andrew Jackson Jihad, Iron Chic, the Sidekicks and many others.

The band just got back from touring overseas to produce what many fans considered as the best show that the Melbourne had done yet, playing their sweet oldies including the well known ‘I Love Life’ and ‘Don’t F**k With Our Dreams’ that saw people fighting for their dear lives to sing every lyric without being smothered by ruthless, die-hard fans. Crowd-surfing, mosh pits, best mates hugging, couples making love, it was all happening as the Smith Street Band played tunes that brought everyone – or should I say a crowd of ‘young drunks’ – together as a family. I would say none other than a true Aussie bloke would hold up two colossal ‘shakas’ when saying their all-famous quote “got ciggies” during ‘Ducks Fly Together’.

Although we were admittedly heading along to the fest because of our anticipation to see the US rockers Modern Baseball (who unfortunately needed to drop out of the festival due to personal issues), Andrew Jackson Jihad proved to a phenomenal replacement. Playing their tunes with tragic backstories in catchy, cheerful melodies made this band bring emotions out of all their fans in the crowd (including me). It was their interesting finale that made this band standout. Pulling out what seemed to be silver spray paint and applying to everyone’s mouth on stage including some fans in the audience.

Gentlemen security guards, quality beverages, friendly people, and some top quality music brought by Walken, Oslow, The Sidekicks and Iron Chic definitely made the night one to remember. So I guess we’ll you all next year for I Love Life fest round 2!


Words by Bree Garland
Photo by Zach Hogg