“I remember being totally mesmerised by this mysterious instrument. Elegantly standing atop its throne, the chrome pickups glistening and gleaming, an all-encompassing beast of mystery calling out to be plucked and played.”
For the music-loving community of Ballarat, Connor Toomey of Dayfever needs no introduction. After stumbling across a guitar at six years old at his older sister’s friend’s house, Connor says that that was it. “I was hooked.”
Dayfever will be performing at Ballarat’s Be Hear Now music festival on Saturday, August 10 at Civic Hall, supporting indie rock legends Augie March, alongside fellow Ballarat locals Coda Chroma. The band, and Connor, are no strangers to the Ballarat music scene. Since picking up a guitar on that fateful day, Connor has been playing making music and playing shows, eventually rallying a group of musician friends in early 2021 to form Dayfever. The band is now a leading force in the Ballarat indie scene.
Dayfever at Be Hear Now
- With Augie March and Coda Chroma
- Saturday, August 10
- Civic Hall, Ballarat
- Tickets here
Keep up with the latest music news, festivals, interviews and reviews here.
“I’ve always been keen on the idea of having my own band that I could kind of spearhead,” Connor says. “I was really lucky to bring in some musicians that have input creatively, and also provide a bit of a spark (or kick up the arse) for me in the often-mundane reality of writing and playing by yourself.”
Comprised of Josh, Oscar, Joel, Candi and Connor, Dayfever has been making waves with local shows and a self-titled EP released last year. While the debut EP consists of songs that Connor originally wrote for his solo music project, they’ve been expanded on and fleshed out with the chorus of talented musicians that are Dayfever.
“Support from my best mates”
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“Being in a band is freeing in the way you can find different pockets, grooves, and not everything is laid entirely on your shoulders,” Connor says. “I find it invaluable to not only bounce ideas off everyone, but also having support from my best mates in something I love doing is so important to me.”
You don’t have to have seen Dayfever play live to feel the unique bond that this five-piece emanates from their music. Their EP is a collection of immaculately crafted and intimately heartfelt tracks, reflecting the deep friendships within the band. The five songs are infused with the distinctive sound of Ballarat, while reaching out for something more, something universal.
For Connor, the sonic exploration that Dayfever has perfected is part of playing with mates whose musical input he respects. It’s all about “cultivating a sound that is owned by everyone and that wouldn’t have existed in that space without the nuance that everyone brings individually.”
“A sound that is owned by everyone”
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Dayfever’s set at Be Hear Now promises to be a showcase of their brilliance. Playing at this hometown music festival isn’t unfamiliar territory for the Connor and the band, but that doesn’t make it any less special. “Ballarat audiences are some of the most engaged and welcoming crowds that we’ve ever played to,” he says.
Having grown up attending and performing at local shows, Connor’s appreciation for the Ballarat music scene runs deep. “[When I was 15], Ballarat had a ripper live music scene with massive support from council putting on all ages shows. We got loads of opportunities to cut our teeth and get a taste for the industry.”
Be Hear Now is setting up to be no different. Part music festival, part music conference, Be Hear now is a breeding ground for up and coming Ballarat artists to show the city what they’re made of.
“This is probably the most serious we’ve taken a show in a while,” Connor says. “We’ve cultivated a super special set and, because we’ve had a heap of notice, we’ve actually managed to string together some consistent band practises. We hope to take the audience on a bit of a journey through highs and lows of different emotions and really bare it all in an honest and compelling live show.”
Looking ahead, Dayfever is working on a debut album set to be released by the end of next year. “We’re taking on a relatively new sound and are super excited to build off the traction from our first EP,” Connor says. Be Hear Now is perhaps no better place to show Ballarat who Dayfever are now, and who they’re becoming. Teeming with industry experts and music professionals, the festival provides emerging musicians the chance for their sounds to be heard and echoed throughout the industry.
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Ultimately, Be Hear Now is all about supporting local artists within the community. The sentiment resonates deeply with Connor, who underscores the importance of audience support.
“In this current climate, if you’re into it, go and support your local venues and musicians,” he says. “A twenty-dollar door fee is often cheaper than the pint you’re coming into buy, and I can guarantee the bloke who’s poured that beer didn’t put in as much effort as the twenty-year-old kid playing Khe Sahn covers in the front bar did trying to learn a B major on the guitar.”
You can get tickets to see Dayfever play at Be Hear Now here.
This article was made in partnership with Be Hear Now.
