Live Review: The Fortitude Music Hall’s Opening Night

Lights reflect off crystal chandeliers as Tia Gostelow hits the stage. She wears a pink suit jacket and pants that match. Her band wear all white. “This song I wrote about an ex-boyfriend, which a lot of people seem to relate to. It’s about cheating, but I turned it into a song you’d like to hear on the radio” she shares before cutting into ‘That’s What You Get’. Her set comes studded with special guests. First is Busby Marou who join her for an impromptu rendition of Violent Soho’s ‘Fur Eyes’. She later brings out another up-and-coming female talent, Thelma Plum for ‘Around Here’. The set closes with a version of ‘Strangers’ featuring Ball Park Music’s Sam Cromack.

Next to hit the stage? DZ Deathrays. I have never seen them play before but based off of their confident stage demeanour, I know won’t be disappointed! I find the perfect spot at an elevated ledge directly behind the sound desk. With the full view of the crowd, I realise that this audience is a little different to what I had predicted. As ‘Gina Works at Hearts’ flows through the building, I look around and notice not everyone is of the youthful type of fan I’m usually surrounded by with these kinds of line-ups. They are mostly older but none-the-less friendly and very inviting. I do not meet a single person who makes me feel unsafe or uncomfortable. 

A highlight of the DZ set arrives when Jeremy Neale hops onstage for a rendition of ‘Year of the Dog’ but the moment that steals the show is DZ’s very last song - Powderfinger’s ‘(Baby I’ve Got You) On My Mind’. As the band begins to play Sahara Beck, Bernard Fanning and Powderfinger guitarist Ian Haug  join them. Seeing them all onstage, I don’t think I’ve ever been prouder to be a part of Australia's music history than I am right at this moment. I’m absolutely mesmerized.

Ball Park Music begins their set with ‘The End Times’, a little ironic considering this is such a huge beginning for the Brisbane music scene. The band plays everything from ‘Coming Down’ to ‘Exactly How You Are’. I cannot describe the energy that Ball Park project when playing live. The set also features two guest stars - David McCormack from Custard and Patience Hodgson of The Grates.

As with the night’s previous performances, I feel as though I am part of a monumental snapshot of Brisbane’s musical history. The band then plays their quirkiest track ‘Sad Rude Future Dude’ and final song of the night ‘Hands Off My Body’. Flashing red lights shine over the crowd and reflect off the chandeliers. It is a fantastic sight and the perfect ending to a perfect night.

Or so I thought. As I make my way to the upstairs Mezzanine, I happen upon a performance from local indie rock outfit Last Dinosaurs. The area I learn is called The Outpost. It was decorated beautifully, with a red velvet theme and a smaller, more intimate stage. This area perfectly contrasts the elaborate music hall just downstairs. It was a nice surprise, this venue has a little bit of everything.

I leave with a feeling of pride for the incredible music here in Queensland. With the recent closure of so many of Australian music venues, the heavy-handed festival laws and an oversaturation of Americanised Top 40, it was nice to be reminded that Queensland still has an incredible amount of talent and a rich musical history. There have been some incredible moments in Brisbane’s musical history. Tonight was definitely one of them. ​

Words by Emily Hollitt
​📸 @zozo.ono