It seems that a 25 degree day with not a cloud in the sky, bevy in hand and awesome band playing pretty much sums up our current summer on the surf coast thanks to The Torquay Hotel!
The past few months we’ve seen the venue come to life – especially with the recent Torquay Hotel Summer Series, which saw the iconic regional music venue host a specially curated season of incredible Australian music.
The epic season program boasted some of Australia’s classic rockers and favourite party bands making tracks down the spectacular Great Ocean Road, including the likes of Sunny Coasts’ pub-punk trio The Chats, legendary Australian rock-royalty The Living End, Warrnambool’s Didirri, party starters Confidence Man, Melbourne’s Slowly Slowly, Sydney’s The Beautiful Girls, Kim Churchill, Fremantle foursome San Cisco and Ziggy Alberts – not a bad bunch of muso’s hey?
Well showing that this is one regional music venue here to stay, they’ve just announced a slew of other high caliber acts to their roster.
First cab off the rank is Busby Marou who’ll return to Torquay to celebrate the release of their new single “Sound Of Summer”, the first taste of their forthcoming album due around the midpoint of 2019. Channel 7 Cricket picked up the single, so those who have been enjoying some lazy summer days have probably already heard it. Catch them on Friday, March 8.
Late March will see a special performance from Melbourne’s Gretta Ray, who has been riding the high of supporting Mumford & Sons recently. Far from done for the year, she has been in the studio, so if things are going well fans may get to hear a little something when she hits Torquay’s Torquay Hotel on March 22. For now, take the opportunity to have another listen, or your first listen, to 2018’s Here and Now. She will be joined by Feelds and Ella Sweeney.
DZ Deathrays are the next ones hitting the road again, this time covering areas of Australia that have been thirsty for their thrash rock for years – including Torquay. The tour comes off the back of their biggest year to date, with single ‘Like People’ from their third album Bloody Lovely becoming a big crowd favourite. This regional tour follows an LA studio session where they’re recording new music for release as early as this year. They’ll be there on Saturday April 6.
Later that month sees a double whammy with Skeggs and The Chats coming in on Thursday April 18.
Skeggs have made a name for themselves with energetic live performances, garnering praise from The Music for their “infectious” on-stage chemistry and Moshcam who asserted they “seem to have some sort of hypnotic effect over their fans.” Skegss have played at festivals across the country and overseas including a headline slot at Sounds of the Suburbs, Splendour in the Grass and the upcoming Groovin’ The Moo circuit to name a few. After selling out their 2018 tour including 4 shows at the Croxton, and absolutely slaying crowds across the recent Laneway Festival Tour, this is a very rare pub gig for them so don’t miss it.
As for The Chats, they need no introduction. These three dropkick drongos from the Sunshine Coast of Australia went viral for their track ‘Smoko’, and mayhem followed. Now reaching over 5.5 million views, the tune has lead to a whirlwind touring schedule of 2018. If you saw The Chats as part of Torquay Hotel’s Summer Series you’ll know this one is not to be missed.
Unsurprisingly though, this one is already sold out so keep an eye on the FB page for people selling their tickets closer to.
Last but not least, Sydney’s raw-power Ruby Fields has just been announced for a Friday night gig on May 31. Fresh from stunning audiences during her Laneway Festival run, this is part of her national tour in support of her upcoming EP, Permanent Hermit. The EP is set for a released early May and features seven new songs, as well as the nostalgic, slow burning anthem ‘Dinosaurs’, which nabbed the #8 spot on this year’s Hottest 100.
Suss out all these gigs here and get around this absolute coastal gem!
Photo by Michelle Grace Hunder.
