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GRAPEVINE GATHERING
@ Rochford Winery,
Yarra Valley, Vic
22nd January 2022
Live Review

(27th January 2022)

Review by Simone & Quinn Tyrrell

Photos by Simone Tyrrell

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As most Summer festivals go in Melbourne, Grapevine took place in the sweltering heat on a 34-degree day at Rochford Winery in the Yarra Valley in Victoria. Being in the open elements at a winery, there was little to no shade, except for a few shade sails that were set up on a hill to the right-hand side of the stage. This made the 34-degree day feel more like 38 degrees. It was fortunate for punters that the breeze was a cool breeze rather than a hot northerly wind.

There was a small amount of people who arrived early for gates opening to be there from the very start of the festival. The early arrivers were treated to the first act called “NYNE” who performed a handful of songs before finishing their set early, as it would seem, due to lack of attendance on the grounds at the time.

Half an hour later “Creature Fear” took to the stage with a growing crowd coming into the grounds. A garage rock band from Melbourne who released a swag of singles in 2019 and received Triple J airplay. The band of 5 were well received by the crowd who enjoyed their tunes. Majority of the bands 13 song set list were new songs which they wrote during Covid lockdown. Some stand out songs from the set were “My Girls a Dream but She Only Loves Jesus”, “Sorbet” and “Go Wild”. Let’s hope we see a new EP or album from these guys soon with their killer new songs.

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Creature Fear // Photo – Simone Tyrrell

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Creature Fear // Photo – Simone Tyrrell

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The next act to follow “Creature Fear” was “Rest for the Wicked”. Another new band to come out of Melbourne who have recently released two singles “Bones” and “Feel the Same Way”. The indie pop band had the crowd lined up at the barrier bopping away, cheering, and screaming. The singer Ben Townsend was not only expressive on stage with his vocals and moves but also with his clothes in design and colour. Wearing a faux leopard print hat and rose coloured sunnies, he just oozed cool. They played their two new singles as well as a handful of other originals such as “Rest Alone”, “Devils Delight”, “Impulse” and “Erase”. The guys have a new single coming out in February and I’m sure will be hitting the gig circuit with more shows upon its release to their fast-growing fan base.

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Rest For The Wicked // Photo – Simone Tyrrell

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Rest For The Wicked // Photo – Simone Tyrrell

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CC:Disco // Photo – Simone Tyrrell

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CC:Disco // Photo – Simone Tyrrell

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After being treated to a few live bands, the next two sets were DJ sets from “CC Disco” and “Bag Raiders”. This allowed people to take a break from the direct heat of the sun and go get hydrated, sun screened up, get some food, and sit in the shade for some relief while listening to some background beats. Thrown in the mix of the two DJ sets were a few short DJ stints from the guys from “The Inspired Unemployed”. These two guys have a bit of a cult following and shot to viral stardom during the lockdowns. The guys had the crowd running to the barrier to jump, dance, yell and scream to the two larrikins and their shenanigans on stage which included dancing around, slamming down beers and pouring them over their heads. They certainly had the crowd eating out of their hands and with 1.3 million followers on Instagram and 689K on Facebook and growing it was easy to see why!

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The Inspired Unemployed // Photo – Simone Tyrrell

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Bag Raiders // Photo – Simone Tyrrell

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Bag Raiders // Photo – Simone Tyrrell

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The Veronicas // Photo – Simone Tyrrell

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The Veronicas // Photo – Simone Tyrrell

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The Veronicas // Photo – Simone Tyrrell

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After a lengthy wait during the DJ sets for the crowd that had started making their way to the front to be able to get a good spot for the next upcoming acts, the first long awaited act was “The Veronicas”. This popular twin sister duo who have been a part of the Australian music industry since 2004 had the crowd going absolutely wild. 18 years on and the dynamic duo stuck true to their aesthetic with their set list and outfits. While both outfits were different to each other; Jess being in a gothic schoolgirl outfit with a short ripped tartan skirt and long knee-high vinyl boots, and Lisa in long black flared pants with a short, figure-hugging leopard print singlet top, the two women showed they not only still have style, but they still know how to rock their timeless songs.

The crowd were hyped the entire time, packed against each other; despite the heat; and screaming the words, jumping up and down, and having a wild time. There were plenty of people being pulled over the barrier by security and taken out of the hot crowd due to almost passing out and being too hot. But the fans were persistent that despite the heat, this is where they needed to be to see the queens of pop rock. “The Veronicas” set list included their hits “Take me on the Floor”, “When it all Falls Apart”, “Everything I’m Not”, and the song where they asked the crowd to stand for the National Anthem, “Untouched”. They truly put on a killer set and were the highlight of the festival.

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Vera Blue // Photo – Simone Tyrrell

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Vera Blue // Photo – Simone Tyrrell

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Vera Blue // Photo – Simone Tyrrell

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Keeping up with the hype and the crowd staying put, the next act was “Vera Blue” who strutted out on stage in a long flowing neon green dress and knee-high black boots while the stage filled with smoke that filtered out slowly to the crowd in the breeze. Vera performed her set with a band on stage, as well as playing many different instruments herself showing off her talents as not only a singer but a musician as well.

It was clear from the start of the set that Vera wasn’t just performing for her fans but also for herself. She twirled and danced and flipped her hair and rocked out with the other band members. Vera was having just as much fun as the crowd. And who can blame her! It’s been so long between shows that all artists are just so happy and grateful to be able to be back doing what they love. And it showed.

Other than Vera’s impressive vocals, her set was coupled with some beautiful graphics, imagery and colours on the back LED screen on the stage. With Vera’s gorgeous striking orange hair, her neon green dress and the screen graphics, the visual element of her set was just stunning. The crowd was thoroughly enjoying all their senses being engaged for Vera’s set.

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The Jungle Giants // Photo – Simone Tyrrell

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The Jungle Giants // Photo – Simone Tyrrell

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The Jungle Giants // Photo – Simone Tyrrell

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The heat did not let up and neither did the staying power of the fans who were front and center for the rest of the day! They weren’t going anywhere! After a short wait, the crowd were delighted when “The Jungle Giants” hit the stage. The four-piece band from Queensland were met with thunderous applause, which saw the lead singer leap to the front of the stage and outstretch his arms and cheer along with the fans. They jumped straight into their energetic set as the stage filled with smoked which was pumped out for the entirety of the set, so the stage was continually filled smoke.

The guys enjoyed playing all their hits and announced that they had made the top 20 in Triple J’s Hottest 100 and celebrated by playing their hit “Love Signs” which came in at number 18. “The Jungle Giants” set also had some cool impressive lights on stage which, coupled with the smoke, added to their indie rock electronic sound and style. The crowd were absolutely going off during the set and were jumping, dancing, singing along at the tops of their voices, jumping up on each other’s shoulders, and having a great time as the sun finally started to set over the winery bringing a consistent cool breeze which was a welcome relief from the hot harsh sun.

After “The Jungle Giants” it was finally time to welcome to the stage the last act for the festival. The sun had well and truly set, it was dark, and it was time to see the impressive lasers, lights, and pyrotechnic show from “Peking Duk”.

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Peking Duk // Photo – Simone Tyrrell

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Peking Duk // Photo – Simone Tyrrell

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Peking Duk // Photo – Simone Tyrrell

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Peking Duk // Photo – Simone Tyrrell

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If we thought the crowd was doing well with how active in the day they were, they all certainly got their second wind when Peking Duk came on. The jumping, dancing, and people up on shoulders and the barriers certainly grew in activity.

The electronic house duo were up on a raised stage on the stage, and the stage was decked out with a myriad of LED lights and laser lights which produced impressive effects throughout the show. The back screen showed impressive graphics of shape and colours which changed with the music.

It was also fantastic to see Michaela Baranov join the guys on stage. She was dressed in a short white tutu with a long flowing tulle piece at the back and a white fluffy bikini top to match. She danced and sung at the front of the raised stage which had the fans going wild.

After the first song, there were bursts of flames that rose up from the front of the stage at various times throughout the set. The extreme heat from the flames could have burnt the eyebrows off those in the front row! The set also had confetti canons that were used part way through and at the end, seeing the crowd reaching up and grabbing the floating down streamers and wrapping them around themselves and dancing and twirling the night away.

Peking Duk were also celebrating making it into Triple J’s Hottest 100 for 8 years in a row. This year it was with their song “Chemicals” coming in at number 42. With a strong fan base that they have gained over their ten-year career, it’s no wonder that when they are headlining a show, or doing their own shows, that they sell out wherever they go.

Grapevine 2022 at Rochford Winery was certainly an epic festival. And after so long in lockdown over the past 2 years, and live music taking such a hard hit, no matter the heat, it was bloody fantastic to see a large crowd all together again, standing in front of a stage and singing and dancing their hearts out. Grapevine was a special welcome back to live music for the start of the year that was thoroughly enjoyed by all.

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.Check out Simone Tyrrell’s full gallery of this event HERE

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AMNPLIFY – DB