A Live and Local initiative from the City of Greater Geelong, ReSound Festival is set to sparkle with two events across June.
Geelong has always boasted a tremendous live music ecology, made up of specialised venues, iconic festivals, unparallel superstar talent, a thriving community of music professionals and a lively live music supporter network.
Just look to the regions rich history of teeth cutters like Goanna, King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, The Murlocs, the late Chris Wilson, the famed Chrissy Amphlett, Alice Ivy and the globe trotting Sweathearts, or see the award-winning Queenscliff Music Festival, Meredith Music Festival, Golden Plains, Aireys Inlet Music Festival, formerly Falls Music Festival and now Beyond The Valley have all found home in the Geelong and surrounds landscape. On the venue front, the Blues Train is like no other in Australia, the Palais has pulled many big names, Eureka has been resurrected as a premier live music venue and the beloved Pistol Pete’s gave us 10 years of treasures.
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That ecology is yet again put to the forefront for the City of Greater Geelong’s latest Live and Local initiative. As supported by the Live Music Office and APRA AMCOS, the Live and Local program aims to spotlight the places and people that make up this vibrant local music landscape and through ReSound Festival they are amplifying it.
Across two days, ReSound Festival will activate venues across the region with live music performances from a range of local talent. The first event on the ReSound calendar is happening in Ocean Grove this Saturday 1 June.
Sitting on the corner of The Terrace in Ocean Grove is Blackman’s Beer and Burger Bar. Just one of the major Geelong brewery’s location, Blackman’s Beer and Burger Bar is a super friendly coastal bar and an awesome spot to go for a burger between surfs, sand strolls and shopping. They are participating in ReSound Festival to showcase the likes of Rach Brennan, Pollyman and Jem Pryse. Rach Brennan will be hitting the stage from 2.30PM to serenade the crowd with her impeccable indie folk stylings as a solo set following her departure from The Pines. This set marks a new era for the beloved Bellarine queen. Pollyman follows on from 3.30PM. A project from known Bellarine star George Carroll Wilson, Pollyman will pull you into his retro set with power-pop prowess that blends the styling of David Bowie and Jeff Buckley. Closing out the evening is Jem Pryse who is sure to win your heart. The Ocean Grove local builds beautifully crafted songs, made up of sweet melodies and jazzy chords. He will be on from 4.45PM.
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In the mood for more burgers – simply head over to The Piping Hot Chicken Shop to get your fill both on the food and music front. Jumping up on this stage from 2.30pm is Jasper Jolly who is all about blending modern revitalised spirit with haunting melodies. He will be followed by the infectious songwriting charm of Hassall from 3.45pm. Hassall is a mainstay in the Geelong music scene, always wearing her signature red hat and rocking out with addictive tunes. Closing out the night is Winksy. This emerging project from Geelong’s Willem Kingma and Kelli Blackmore has the heart of The Beatles, The Kinks and The Velvet Underground with a modern syringe. It’s the quirky lyrics and luscious lines that will have you on hook, line and sinker.
Down at the Driftwood Cafe, you will find live music weekly. For ReSound, the award-winning revolving group The Sweethearts will be soaring. Fusing R&B, soul, jazz and funk, this collective is unstoppable on the stage. Catch them from 2pm. They will be followed by two Bellarine blues legends, with Leah Senior taking to the stage from 3.30PM to showcase her undeniable songwriting talent and vocal beauty. Sarah Carroll will then pop up from 5pm. Having just released two singles from her highly anticipated album NQR&B, the songstress is not just a fixture of the Geelong live music scene but a mentor to emerging artists in the region.
The first independently run bookshop on Wadawurrung Country is Bookgrove. Since 2009, the space has been home to the humble reader but for ReSound it takes on the title of a live music venue, seeing sets from Tilda Jarvis and Ella Sweeney. These two acoustic beauties will be playing back to back sets, Jarvis from 4.15pm and Sweeney from 5pm. A member of the Sweethearts Jarvis has honed her songwriting and performance skills, mixing her jazz background with indie/folk. Sweeney has built a reputation as a talented songwriter, having shared the stage with the likes of Hiatus Kaiyote, Boy & Bear, Mia Dyson, Sweet Whirl. Their sets are bound to impress.
The final venue on the Ocean Ground ReSound ground is new Greek restaurant, KALA which will be opening its doors for the festival. Welcoming in the new hotspot of Ocean Grove is Mink Mila, Daisy Kilbourne and Gabby Steel. Mink Mila will be jumping up at 2.15pm. The 19 year old has been taking the industry by storm, playing alongside Ruby Fields and Baker Boy. Acoustic folk darling Daisy Kilbourne has been on the road, returning to show off her vintage flare for the festival from 3.30PM. Finally Gabby Steel is sending off the night with a 4.45pm show. The powerhouse singer-songwriter has been compared to the likes of Missy Higgins, Adele and Courtney Barnett.
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With a stacked line up of talent and a brilliant selection of spaces to activate, ReSound Ocean Grove will set the scene for what is to come at the Saturday 22 June Geelong showcase. With all shows free, there is no excuse not to make your way through the musical adventure of ReSound Ocean Grove.
Further information and program scheduling can be found here.
