6 September 2024 – Riverside Precinct – Rockhampton – words and pictures by Brad Fry
In its 12th year, The Capricorn Food and Wine Festival is more than just an event; it’s a celebration of the vibrant flavours and culinary creativity that define the Capricorn region. Set against the stunning backdrop of the Fitzroy River in Rockhampton, this annual festival brings together food lovers, wine enthusiasts, and culinary artisans for a weekend of indulgence and discovery. From gourmet dishes crafted by local chefs to a diverse selection of wines and craft beverages, the festival offers a unique opportunity to experience the best of Central Queensland’s (and beyond) gastronomic offerings.
Not only are the taste buds of attendees catered for but so too are their auditory senses with a large stage set up to host live music. Kicking off the festival in fine form tonight are top shelf entertainers Birds of Tokyo, with support duties handled by No Drahma, Cheap Talk and The Shortfall. As the sun set over the Fitzroy River, the Capricorn Food and Wine Festival was already buzzing with excitement. The perfect blend of delectable food, exquisite beverages along with the promise of live music, all contributed to an electric atmosphere from the moment the gates opened. I scurried quickly into the photo pit and prepared myself for an incredible night of live music.
First up on stage was solo performer No Drahma (Tyrone Drahm). Armed with his acoustic guitar, the popular CQ artist looked at home on the venue’s main stage. The beat boxing, looping, left handed guitarist/ vocalist wowed the crowd with dynamic range and eclectic set list. Said set list included everything from Ed Sheeran to John Farnham to Coolio. A standout moment for me was during his version of INXS’ ‘Never Tear Us Apart’ where he impersonated the saxophone solo using only his voice! He put two original songs into his set, ‘Good To Be Alive’ and ‘All Night’. Both songs were ridiculously catchy and held their own in a set list stacked with tried and true crowd favourites. No Drahma has a reputation as a high quality entertainer in and around CQ that is well deserved and built on a solid foundation of raw talent and hard work in equal measure. Check him out if you get the chance, you won’t be disappointed.
No Drahma – Capricorn Food & Wine Festival – photos by Brad Fry
Cheap Talk are a dynamic local Rockhampton band that drew many fans to the Capricorn Food and Wine Festival. The powerhouse band is made up of Eden Cartwright(vocals), Brett Olive (bass), Tim McMullen (guitar) and Ben Harth (drums). They were also joined on stage by Big Jack (Jack Barnett) to add some rap to a number of songs in the set. I was there for Cheap Talk’s sound check and it was good, but the show was even better! Front man Eden draws immediate attention with his stagecraft and his voice is amazing! The tightness between Harth and Olive was fantastic and the guitar work by Gordon was impeccable. Their set was all covers and resulted in the growing crowd happily singing along. ‘Rebel Yell’, ‘Man, I feel Like A Woman’ and ‘All The Small Things’ were just some of the crowd favourites. At one stage Big Jack and Cartwright donned ski masks and Cheap Talk delivered a cover of ‘Bulls on Parade’ that blew the roof off! ‘Teenage Dirtbag’ (mashed up with ‘The Real Slim Shady’) saw Eden step across the photo pit to the barrier rail giving a female member of the crowd the mic to assist with vocals (the tickets to Iron Maiden part). Cheap Talk delivered an amazing set and the crowd loved them! It’s not often you hear calls for an encore for an opening act but that’s what the boys got. Bravo Cheap Talk!
Cheap Talk – Capricorn Food & Wine Festival – photos by Brad Fry
Well, The Shortfall have done it again! A massive headline act comes to Rockhampton and they open for them with an impeccable performance. The five piece band consists of Angelo Conway (vocals/ guitar and he also swings a mean tambourine) Clay Hooper (lead guitar/ backing vocals) Aarron Symonds (bass) Tim McMullin (rhythm guitar/ backing vocals) and Cory Owens (drums). It is easy to see why they are in such demand the moment they begin to play! They are all quality musicians in their own right and combined they are nothing short of magic. Original songs made up the majority of The Shortfall’s set with a few covers thrown in for good measure. As tonight’s show was all ages I noticed many of the younger attendees singing along to the band’s originals and it really spoke to the reach The Shortfall (and their songs) have. The Shortfall are a masterclass in performance and musicianship! Do what you have to do to get them on your playlists! They are incredible!
The Shortfall – Capricorn Food & Wine Festival – photos by Brad Fry
As the night went on it was clear that everyone was waiting for one thing: the performance by Birds of Tokyo, the Australian alternative rock band that has become a staple of the country’s music scene. As the techies busily prepped the stage the locals sung and danced to every song that met their eager ears from the PA. The lights went out and Birds of Tokyo walked on to roars of approval from the huge crowd! The five-piece outfit, led by charismatic frontman Ian Kenny, wasted no time diving into their set, kicking things off with ‘Smith Street’ the song resonated through the warm evening air, immediately pulling the audience into the performance. The band’s signature sound, a mix of soaring vocals, atmospheric synths, and driving guitar riffs, was on full display. Kenny’s voice was as powerful and emotive as ever, effortlessly shifting from haunting lows to euphoric highs. His presence on stage was commanding yet approachable, engaging the audience with a blend of intense energy and heartfelt connection. I lost count of how many times he called the Rockhampton crowd “friends” but they replied with cheers every single time.
Birds of Tokyo – Capricorn Food & Wine Festival – photos by Brad Fry
The band’s chemistry was palpable, each member perfectly in sync, creating a seamless musical experience. More highlights of the set were … THE WHOLE SET and included ‘Plans’, a song that never fails to evoke a sense of nostalgia. ‘Lion’, which, no word of a lie, came on in the car just as I turned off the Bruce Highway into Rockhampton for this show. ‘I’d Go With You Anywhere’ was met with enthusiasm from the crowd as they sung at the top of their lungs. ‘Two Of Us’, ‘Heartbreakers Bar’ and ‘Silhouettic’ were all delivered beautifully as the whole band reveled in the love they were being given by the fans! ‘Brace’, ‘Wild At Heart’ and ‘The Greatest Mistakes’ came next before the last two songs of the set ‘Unbreakable’ and ‘This Fire’ were played and the band waved and walked off.
Birds of Tokyo – Capricorn Food & Wine Festival – photos by Brad Fry
Not having any of it the crowd cheered and chanted awaiting the bands return (they wouldn’t wait long). Birds of Tokyo’s encore were made up of ‘Good Lord’ and ‘Lanterns’ and if the crowd weren’t already loud, these last two songs surely would have pushed the decibels to an all time high! The band’s use of dynamic lighting during key moments in the set added an extra layer of intensity to the performance. The sound was crisp and clear, with every instrument well-balanced, a testament to the professionalism of both the band and the festival’s production team. The crowd, a diverse mix of fans, was fully invested in the performance from start to finish. The energy was infectious, with many dancing and singing along, creating a communal experience that is the hallmark of a great live show.
Birds of Tokyo’s performance at the Capricorn Food and Wine Festival was a reminder of why they have remained one of Australia’s most beloved bands. Their ability to connect with an audience, combined with their unwavering musical talent, made for an unforgettable night. This show was quite possibly the best show I have ever been at and I am confident I am not the only CQ resident saying that today! What an awesome night!
