20 August 2026 – The Leichhardt Hotel, Rockhampton – words and pictures by Brad Fry
Sometimes, live music doesn’t go according to plan. Thursday night at the Leichhardt Hotel was supposed to bring Jebediah back to Rockhampton, with Brisbane trio The Phosphenes along for the ride. Instead, before a note had even been played, the night took an unexpected turn.
Jebediah frontman Kevin Mitchell and the band took to the stage before The Phosphenes’ set, not to kick things off, but to personally deliver the disappointing news that they wouldn’t be able to perform. Vanessa Thornton was unwell and, rather than push ahead with a show they couldn’t deliver as intended, the band had made the difficult decision to cancel.
Mitchell explained that it was something Jebediah had barely, if ever, had to do across their many decades of playing together, a remarkable run in itself, and one that made it clear this wasn’t a decision taken lightly.
There was genuine disappointment in the room, of course, but there was also something admirable about the way Jebediah handled it. There was no vague announcement passed on through somebody else and no attempt to hide behind excuses. The band stood in front of the crowd themselves, explained the situation and owned a decision that was obviously as disappointing for them as it was for everyone who had come to see them.
And with that, the night suddenly belonged to The Phosphenes.
For The Phosphenes, it had already been an opportunity to put their own younger take on Australian alternative rock in front of a crowd gathered to see a band that helped define it decades earlier. Now, under circumstances nobody could have anticipated, that opportunity carried a little more weight.
The Phosphenes – The Leichhardt Hotel – photos by Brad Fry
Their arrival on stage was humble and understated, as Reece Depasquale (lead guitar and vocals), Rosie Bowman (bass) and Toby Vinton (drums) took their places towards the front, Jebediah’s gear looming behind them. There was something of an in the shadow of giants feel to the scene, although given the band they were supposed to be opening for, Australian alternative rock giants might have been a more accurate description.
But any sense of being overshadowed disappeared the moment The Phosphenes kicked into their set. They were electric. The set was a healthy mix of their original music and covers that displayed both their influences and musicality. Vinton was the bands master of ceremonies entertaining the crowd not only with his drumming but his banter and stories around the creation of their original music. Rosie added her own entertaining quips in response to Vintons stories while Depasquale let his vocals do the majority of his talking. A phosphene may be the bright patterns you see when your eyes are closed but The Phosphenes we saw tonight were much brighter and our eyes (and ears) were wide open.
The Phosphenes – The Leichhardt Hotel – photos by Brad Fry
It certainly wasn’t the night anyone had expected when they walked through the doors of the Leichhardt Hotel, but sometimes that’s simply the reality of live music. After decades of turning up and delivering for audiences around the country, Jebediah deserve plenty of credit for the honesty and respect they showed the Rockhampton crowd when, on this occasion, they simply couldn’t.
And while everyone would have loved to have heard those Jebediah songs ringing around the room, the night still gave The Phosphenes an unexpected opportunity to step forward and make the stage their own and they grabbed it with both hands.
The Phosphenes – The Leichhardt Hotel – photos by Brad Fry
Most importantly, we wish Ness a speedy recovery and hope she’s back on her feet, bass in hand, very soon. There will be another night for Jebediah. This one belonged to The Phosphenes.
