Apollo Bay Music Festival [live review]

Apollo Bay
February 28, 2014 to March 2, 2014
Windows down, tunes on – there isn’t a better feeling than travelling down the Great Ocean Road to a music festival. This was exactly the case with Apollo Bay Music Festival this year. Heading down on the Friday Night, the options were quite simple for whom to check out as I arrived. Heading along to support local talent Jamie Pye, I was surprised by what I heard.
In the twelve months since I last saw him, Pye has started singing and has really developed a coastal Jack Johnson/ Ben Howard-esque vibe to his music. A talent to definitely watch in the future, especially when he releases his follow-up to Vibrations.
Next up was the funky and delicious reggae sound of El Moth, who has over the past few years had an affinity to Apollo Bay, playing around spots in various venues. Life’s a Ride is their current release, and if you’re looking for some slap bass in your music, check it out.
Everybody knows that at a festival it is not officially possibly to see everybody you would like to. Over both Saturday and Sunday, I indulged in quite a bit of music and definitely highlights for the programming would be Kate Miller-Heidke playing ‘Caught in the Crowd’ and country superstar Shane Nicholson.
The surprise to the weekend came from Hollie Smith, whose music I hadn’t heard up until now. Playing tunes from her whole back catalogue as well as her upcoming album slated for release later this year, don’t shun away the opportunity to see her when she tours next time. Vocal and RnB perfection, with a killer band to boot.
Apollo Bay, there ain’t much more to say – catch you next year!
Written by Tex Miller