31 May 2023 – The Great Western, Rockhampton – words and pictures by Brad Fry
It’s 6:15 in Rockhampton. The doors don’t open until 7:00 and I’m standing in a line already that stretches down the block (and quickly growing!) Spacey Jane and Ghost Care are in town and the locals are ready to party. So, as I wait for the doors to open let me set the scene. Rockhampton is 7 and a half (ish) hours North of Brisbane and, tonight, the lucky hosts of Spacey Jane and Ghost Care. Performing at The Great Western Hotel as a part of their regional tour (covering the east coast and the Northern Territory) fans from across Central Queensland (CQ) have been eagerly awaiting this show and showed up in droves to enjoy a night of top shelf musical entertainment. The Great Western Hotel has iconic status within CQ as a venue for both musical and bull riding events with it being a regular stop on the PBR (professional bull riders) circuit. The stage was set, the crowd was pumped and as I played around with my cameras in the photo pit I felt as though I was about to witness something incredible.
Ghost Care hit the stage first and were greeted with applause from the crowd. The Western Australian trio looked happy to be there and it showed in their enthusiastic playing. Impeccable musicianship leapt from the stage and straight into the ears and hearts of the crowd as they played their first song ‘2.0’. ‘Only Friend’ was the next song to grace our ears. The opening track from the band’s 2021 Album (I’m So Sick Of Being So Happy) is ridiculously hooky and show cases the harmonic magic between Beau Torrance and Tanaya Harper. For a trio, Ghost Care bring a massive sound to their shows. This was more then evident in their performance of Part Time Living. It’s weird, although this was my first Ghost Care experience it felt oddly familiar. The kind of familiar you get visiting a beach you’ve never been to before. It’s unique and beautiful, warm and inviting yet familiar all at the same time. You fall in love with it from the moment you set your foot into the sand and immerse yourself in its beauty. But you’ve been to beaches before? Correct! And now you love this one too? Correct! Just like a beautiful beach, great music has a way of finding space in your heart without encroaching on the already well-established residents. People I know who were in attendance made comments that they “loved” Ghost Care even though it was their first time hearing them.
I truly loved ‘Bussell Highway’ and ‘Partying’, such great songs! The treble heavy riffs of Kevin Garnett had the crowd up and dancing before the set finished with the haunting and beautiful SLO. Beau Torranceon vocals and guitar bought his A game as he swam in the adulation from the crowd. Tanaya Harperhad a smile that shone as bright as the stage lights as her bass lines cut through the mix beautifully. Luke Del Fante – drums has an A1 drum face and he left everything on stage as he held the bands time impeccably. Riffs, hooks, fun and performance what more can you ask for. Ghost Care are a band to get behind because they are destined for great things. A selfie with the crowd and they were gone…I miss them already.
Spacey! Spacey! Spacey! A chant rang out across the venue as the stage crew set up. Strobe lights and ‘Lose Yourself’ (the Eminem classic) announced the bands arrival to the stage. A massive roar met the powerhouse Western Australian band as they locked in to their distinctive sound. ‘Thrills’ was the opening track and what could be more apt? The crowd was met with wild antics on stage amongst a flurry of strobe lights. I have never seen a larger crowd in this venue (neither had many of the locals I spoke with) and they were in fine voice as Spacey Jane did their thing. Ashton Le Cornu stage right was jumping off the drum riser. Peppa Lane stage left was jumping off the drum riser. I’m in the pit with my eyes jumping out of my head, wishing I had 4 hands and a camera in each! There was so much happening and this was only the first song! ‘Skin’ was the next song and Caleb Harper expressed the bands appreciation for all those in attendance that had gathered on a Wednesday night to hear them play. There here was a massive roar from the crowd returning the appreciation in spades.
‘Lunchtime’, ‘Straight Faced’ and ‘Sitting Up’ were the next songs to hit adoring fans ears with the crowd singing the lyrics from the 2021, 2020 and 2022 bangers word for word. I loved the interaction between band members and audience as the great tunes kept coming. The sombre lyrics of ‘Yet’ and ‘Sawteeth’ gave the audience a moment of pause (not vocally though, they were still singing) before the upbeat drumming of Kieran Lama bought the dancing back as ‘Weightless’ broke forth from the stage.
There are probably thousands of reviews of Spacey Jane that are glowing and, rightly so. They are a band of phenomenal talent and experts at their craft. Tonight, was such an amazing experience that… Oh wait! What? The show is only half finished! There’s more? Why am I so sweaty and have hundreds of shots? Because the action was so full on (said in narrators voice). Right, well let’s hit pause on the summary and keep going.
The 2017 single ‘Feeding The Family’ with its chirpy riffs showed just how deep Spacey Jane’s bag of songs is and the deep dive into their catalogue was thoroughly enjoyed by all the fans in attendance. ‘It’s Been A Long Day’ and ‘Head Cold’ were next and really struck a chord with me. I have a head cold and my drive to Rockhampton and back (an hour each way) after a day of work makes for a long day. No complaints here though haha.
Another killer song from the 2018 single, ‘In The Slight’, ‘Balmy’ had everybody up and moving. I must again mention the incredible stagecraft of the whole band. It was hard to know just where to look. There was something happening on every inch of the stage. The movement flowed as easily as the band’s music flows into the audience’s ears. They are absolutely joy personified. ‘Booster Seat’ was met with unanimous approval from the Rockhampton crowd and there was nobody out there not singing along. ‘Good For You’ closed the show and what a great choice. The tempo and popularity of the song ensured that the crowd was sent on their way with buzzing heads and hearts!
To draw such a huge crowd (just shy of 2000 people I was told) on State of Origin night in CQ is no small feat but this is the magic of Spacey Jane. Since the announcement there has been a ripple of excitement reaching all corners of CQ. I live an hour south of Rockhampton (Gladstone) and there has been talk of the upcoming show and how amazing it is that bands of this calibre are stopping in to perform. We were treated to a magical evening that easily surpassed the high bar we had set for it in our minds prior to seeing the show. I feel as though Spacey Jane could play anything, anywhere and still pull a huge crowd. Loyal fandom and great music make for a great night. Throw in new found love, Ghost Care, and you have got an evening that will burn long in the memories of all those in attendance. CQ was out in force tonight and I was so glad to see it. Thanks to Spacey Jane and Ghost Care (and their management) for having me and just know it will be my mission in life now to find myself in a Spacey photo pit again. Until next time guys…there has to be a next time.
