For those who missed out on going to the One Night Stand in Mildura, listening to the live CD is like taking a stab to the guts. Once you get past your initial wave of disappointment for realising what you’ve missed, the album actually creates a really great feel for what the atmosphere was like on the night.
With a handful of tracks from Illy, RÜFÜS, Dan Sultan, Violent Soho and Jungle Giants, including a special track with Illy and Vance Joy, there’s just enough from each artist to get into their set.
Violent Soho’s ‘Covered in Chrome’ was bound to end up amongst the 17 tracks and would have been criminal if it wasn’t. By the time the chorus kicks in with “Hell fuck yeah”, singer Luke Boerdam steps aside and all you can hear is the roar from the audience. The Jungle Giants’ bubbly tune ‘She’s a Riot’ is another highlight, and the twangy guitar has you up on your feet in no time.
Given that it’s live there are a few slips of the vocals here and there, but it’s proof that the artists were by no means lip-syncing. And we’re all human, after all.
Put simply, triple j’s CD/DVD release of the event is the perfect thing for punters to reminisce to, or for those who weren’t so lucky live vicariously through those on the album. Do you remember that time Vance Joy sung with Illy? Hell yeah, I was there! If only…
Out now via ABC
By Amanda Sherring