Celebrating Big: DAY FEST Live @ The Zoo
Celebrating Big: DAY FEST - August 6th 2023
Written by Robert Hume
On the 6th of August The Something Different Project returned with The Flutter Folk to once again celebrate some of the best of Brissy’s creative scene with ‘Celebrating Big 2023’. Previously hosting the ‘Celebrating Small’ and ‘Celebrating Different’ events, the combined team have broken away from the customary venue of Lefty’s on Caxton Street, this time we were in the heart of the valley and at the landmark upstairs loft of The Zoo. The evening was laid back, promising guests to be in bed by 9pm, which is honestly what more Sunday gigs should promise.
The Zoo was all decked out, upon entering up the stairs you emerged into the expansive space surrounded by tables full of creatives selling their creations, including jewelry, hand crocheted bags, hats and clothing, ceramics and more. Vendors included Alleyway Crystals, Pixie Love Creation, Discotonic, Crie Cosmetics, Eyefleur, Men Crochet Too, and Mik Tangle. However this was not all - set up in the back beside the bar was a gazebo for Marcos Global, a streetwear venture set up by 16 year old Noah. At his stall he and his family live-printed shirts for customers using an elaborate heat press, including a limited edition Celebrating Big T-Shirt, which looked sick.
The early stages of the night saw attendees shopping around and sitting in the atmosphere of the space while enjoying a drink - potentially being from Stone & Wood or Red Bull, who sponsored the night and making it possible for such a grassroots venture to succeed. During this time Glitter Gals also wandered throughout the venue bringing sparkles to the cheeks of attendees with biodegradable glitter. The number of people glitter painted faces grew and we were almost ready for the stage lights to shine.
Bang on time at 3:15 Perry Street Park hit the stage and flooded the venue with the infectious pop-rock that I for some reason associate with The Zoo. Opening with ‘Come Find Me,’ the boys brought the movements in the venue to an initial standstill before some dancing towards the end. Benny announced he was now a father and had a two week old waiting at home, to which brought a big cheer - an afternoon show sounds perfect for new parent musicians.They ended the set with ‘Down in the Valley,’ a song dedicated to the very walls we were in and to all others like it, providing closure to their time on the stage and to some introspective reflection coming into the short break between sets.
Shed Fiends were up next and followed up with some smashing performances, covering a couple songs and also playing their originals. One of which - ‘Incessant Noise’ had a very impressive guitar solo, which got the crowd going. They closed with their latest single ‘Out Of My Head’ and kept the vibe in the room on a high throughout. Following their leave from stage, we saw Allora take to the limelight and I must have been too involved chatting to the boys from Perry Street Park because I missed what Allora took to the stage with, however two songs in they played a cover of ‘Electric Feel’ by MGMT and it just hit in the right place. Frontwoman Alana had a headset mic on throughout the performance and due to the freedom that it allowed she jumped off the stage and started dancing and singing with us in the crowd that had formed. She did this for both covers that they performed - ‘Electric Feel’ and ‘Sk8er Boi.’
The fourth and final act to hit the stage before the full headline was ‘Pipin,’ and while I had heard of all the others who were performing and had a great time watching them perform, it’s different when your friends take the stage. I love how they always dress up in tinsel jackets and super fun colours. They Played some unreleased tracks, covers and a bunch of originals - and by the end the band had the crowd dancing in their disco sheened hands. The set was building up and highlights formed towards the end with the whole crowd dancing to ‘Can’t Be Friends,’ and culminating to a high with a cover of ‘Hung Up’ by Madonna. Talking to Bec from the band afterwards she said it was one of the best shows she had put on.
Finally before ‘Kitschen Boy’ graced the stage for the headline performance, Gabi and Khalela from Something Different and Flutter Folk stormed the stage to thank everyone for coming out and to announce the raffle that had been running throughout the night. It’s incredible to see how far they have both come in organising these events and bringing the Brisbane creative community together for a Sunday afternoon and evening every six or so months.
Closing out the night, ‘Kitschen Boy’ captivated the audience and provided an incredible show over the course of the last hour of the night. ‘Pretty Derivative’ had me dancing through the crowd, making sure not to spill any drinks on the floor. It was good to see the band in Brisbane yet again, which while they hail from Melbourne happens almost as much as any shows down there. Speaking in between songs, they said having played up here a couple times caused them to just keep getting booked. And while I can imagine it could be tiring to constantly be traveling back and forth so many times each year to play, you gotta be thankful for it.
