Ballarat’s Karova Lounge is a home away from home for many local musos, providing a platform for them to both perform and get noticed on. Its walls have heard a range of music, including The Smith Street Band, The Rubens and Art VS Science, just to name a few. This year marks Karova’s 12th birthday, so naturally a huge celebration was in order. Thursday saw Boo Seeka take the stage, Friday night was jam-packed with local talents, and Saturday’s sold out show starred King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard, making Karova’s birthday week a massive one.
The theme of the night was ‘3350’, Ballarat’s postcode, meaning concert-goers could look forward to a selection of Ballarat-based artists. Friday night’s events kicked off at around 9pm, with an excellent opening set from hip-hop trio HABIT, who took the top spot at last year’s Battle of the Bands competition. Next came Electric Mud with a psychedelic brand of garage-rock and a pinch of recorder. The crowd started to grow as Trillionayers presented a set of blinding lighting effects and grungey, psychedelic intensity. Kuchi Kopi lightened the tunes for the night with their tropical indie vibe. As it ticked over into Saturday, the headlining act VB Deathslabs presents UDL Sound System kept the celebration going. The band is comprised of members from other Ballarat bands including APES, Gangz, Gold Fields, Hunting Grounds, Neon Love, and Twinsy. They got together as a one-off for the celebration, representing many of the local bands to whom Karova means so much, and their enthusiasm for the venue reflected in their ecstatic performance.
Even with the performances over for the night, DJs kept Karova up well into the AM. Twinsy, soon to be playing at Splendour in the Grass, and Bart and Fitz had tunes playing in the front room, while the back room was filled by the makings of Shanghai Savy and Darryl LeChien.
Bands: UDL Sound System, Twinsy, Kuchi Kopi, Trillionayers, Electric Mud, Habit.
Reviewed and Photographed by Madeline Browney
