11 September 2025 – McGuires Hotel, Mackay – words and pictures by Brad Fry
Mackay might be best known for its sprawling cane fields and long history at the heart of Australia’s sugar industry, but on this night at McGuires Hotel, it was music, not molasses, that had the town buzzing. Slowly Slowly rolled into town with support from Teenage Joans and Mackay band Home Improvement. For a city that doesn’t always land every big name tour, Slowly Slowly seem to have a special place in their heart for this part of the country (as do the locals for the popular Victorian band) with this being their third visit to the sugar capital. There was a buzz before the doors even opened, punters clad in Slowly Slowly merchandise filed down Wood Street, telling stories of previous gigs and hoping this one would be something equally as special. For one group of eager fans it was already. “Aren’t we the luckiest ducks” exclaimed one member, carrying a signed vinyl back to the car, 50 minutes before the doors even opened.
As a venue McGuire’s hotel is amazing. An intimate setting with a stage that just calls for big name acts. Lighting to rival any venue on the live music scene and not a bad seat in the house. The new owners have worked tirelessly to transform the venue into a beacon of live entertainment within the region. The fact that Slowly Slowly are here tonight suggests that the beacon is shining bright already!
Local 4 piece band, Home Improvement, opened the nights action with a short but all killer and all original set (minus a version of ‘Clarity’ by Zedd). From the first song ‘Wish’ you could tell the band were in their happy place. A slew of locals showed up early to encourage the local band and their attendance was appreciated by all those on stage. From start to finish the set was tight! Guitar duties were handled impeccably by Aaron Giles and Jack Oliveria (who also belted out killer vocals). Lachlan Wood on Bass and Evan Daly on drums held down a precise and flawless rhythm section. Home improvement were the perfect opening act for the night and their musical prowess lit a fire in the crowd and set the scene for a sensational night of music!
Home Improvement – McGuires Hotel – photos by Brad Fry
Adelaide duo Teenage Joans may be small in number, but their sound is huge! Fuzzed out guitars, cracking drums, and vocals that ride the line between playful and commanding. Their songs throb with a mix of vulnerability and fire, the kind of raw emotion that resonates particularly hard in a live setting. Each track pulsed with immediacy, and their chemistry (on stage glances, grins, and split-second timing) was impossible to ignore. At one point, as the crowd roared a chorus back at them, it felt less like a performance and more like a dialogue: two musicians connecting with an entire room, cane country accents and all. It’s a testament to their craft that, even this far from their Adelaide home, their words and melodies found common ground in Mackay.
PS. RIP to the water bottle (if you know you know).
Teenage Joans – McGuires Hotel – photos by Brad Fry
By the time Slowly Slowly took the stage, McGuires was pumped! The atmosphere was one where sweat runs down eager faces and every lyric feels amplified by proximity. From the opening chords, frontman Ben Stewart had the room locked in. His voice carried a raw honesty, swelling with emotion one moment, dropping to a confessional hush the next. Classic Slowly Slowly songs drew choral responses from the crowd, “dusty” songs were devoured and their newer material showed a band unafraid to evolve, mixing shimmering textures with their trademark earnestness
Slowly Slowly – McGuires Hotel – photos by Brad Fry
Stewart’s between song storytelling gave the crowd space to breathe. Reflections that were equal parts vulnerable and sharp witted before the band would roar back with cathartic force. The rhythm section drove the set like an engine, sharp and insistent, while Doan’s shimmering guitar work painted a kaleidoscope of colour over the top. Slowly Slowly have that rare ability to make every song feel like you’re hearing it for the very first time, and their energy translated perfectly to a Mackay crowd eager for a mid-week release.
Slowly Slowly – McGuires Hotel – photos by Brad Fry
What stood out most, though, was the way Slowly Slowly blurred the line between band and audience. They weren’t just performing to the room, they were performing with it. At times Stewart gazed off the stage, locking eyes with fans in the front row; at others, he stepped back and let the voices of the crowd carry sections of their songs without missing a beat. It gave the night a sense of intimacy, rare for a packed pub gig, like everyone had been invited into the same shared moment. That willingness to hand over pieces of the songs to the audience made the performance feel alive, unpredictable, and deeply human. Hallmarks of a band that knows exactly how to turn a show into a memory.
Slowly Slowly – McGuires Hotel – photos by Brad Fry
As the final notes lingered in the air and the band slipped off stage, the cheers didn’t fade quickly. People clung to the moment, unwilling to let go, as if they knew they’d just been part of something special. For many in the crowd, it wasn’t just another tour stop, it was a reminder of why live music matters, and proof that it still thrives in the heart of regional Queensland.
