CherryRock has grown to become one of Melbourne’s time-honoured musical traditions, however as of the Sunday just passed, the event sadly saw its curtains close for the final time after eight years of gritty, ass-kickin’ rock’n’roll.
As tragic this may be, the party isn’t over forever. Rising from the demise of Melbourne’s AC/DC Lane is Sydney’s first ever foray into CherryRock, and man it is set to be a ripper!
CherryRock’s debut in Sydney will feature 14 killer bands, comprising of both local and international acts housed in the ever-cool Factory Theatre in Marrickville this Saturday 31st May.
This is of huge excitement and an overall win for Sydney-siders, whom are no doubt begging for some more great live music entertainment after having lost big time with the strict curfew laws introduced earlier this year.
As many up north may well be CherryRock virgins and aren’t too sure whether they should come along, we decided to piece together some educational evidence of why you need to attend this iconic event’s inaugural Sydney launch this coming weekend.
The Legendary Meat Puppets
If one ever needed justification for attending a music festival, obviously good music would find it at the top of the list. And with the likes of the Meat Puppets headlining this year’s CherryRock – say no more, right? If you’re a fan of these pure psychedelic, no frills rock n’ roll legends (Kurt Cobain most certainly was) then CherryRock Sydney is the place you need to be. The band have not performed on Australian soil for over 20 years and CherryRock is strictly their only Sydney show. So basically, if you want to get around these alt-rock veterans, the only place you can catch them is at The Factory Theatre this weekend. No brainer, right?
An Exclusive Set From Brant Bjork
CherryRock’s co-headliner is desert rock royalty, having drummed for the infamous Kyuss as well as currently bashing the skins for its evolutionary result, Vista Chino, Bjork is now ready to blitz Aussie audiences with his own solo blend of gritty rock. Take it from our Tone Deafer reviewer who caught Bjork’s set at Melbourne’s instalment of CherryRock: “Bjork seems completely comfortable in his role, and is probably actually a better showman than his Kyuss-fronting contemporary John Garcia, who headlined the 2013 CherryRock with Unida.” This too is Sydney’s only opportunity to catch this man whilst he is Down Under.
Two Stages, Zero Clashes
What is the worst possible thing about festivals? Fuckin’ clashes right? Well, CherryRock Sydney has got this issue completely sorted: there are no clashes! There’s two stages, one in the Factory’s basement and the other outside so you can dig some al fresco tunes, the Cherry way; organisers have ensured that all punters have an opportunity to catch every breath of each set of the day. Meaning you get the full bang for your buck!
It’ll Help Sydney Rock Again
There’s no question that Sydney’s night life and consequently live music scene was shellshocked earlier this year when measures to reduce alcohol-fuelled violence slugged licensed venues in the greater CBD with 1:30 am lockouts and a cease on serving alcohol by 3am. That’s not to mention the closure of iconic venues in recent years and even the city officials believe Sydney is in dire need of a shake-up, the injection of the raw and unabashed CherryRock could be just the live rock boost the doctor ordered to flush out the bad toxins left from the harsh restrictions of the government, or at least a sign that Sydney live music lovers want more of a good thing.
Get On The Beast Wars Bandwagon
They might not have had as far to travel as the two aforementioned headliners, but these four New Zealanders pack a mighty sludge-punch of metal that is not to be missed. Heralding their performance as the set of the day, Beast Wars emphatically won the heart of our reviewer at CherryRock Melbourne: “Beastwars deliver the first taste of international class to the festival. Musically, these guys could be mentioned in the same breath as Neurosis or Baroness, and their live performance is absolutely formidable. Raspy vocalist Matt Hyde has the audience completely entranced throughout a sonically captivating 40-minute journey.” And guess what, these dudes are strictly here for CherryRock, so don’t go thinking you can catch them somewhere else around Sydney-town!
Support Your Locals
We should always feel a deep sense of pride when our native city produces top-tier music and CherryRock 2014 boasts serious Sydney talent that need – nay, deserve – their hometown support.
Take a listen to the grimy stoner rock sounds of Gay Paris. Heroes around the harbour city, this quartet are born for a homecoming show in the CherryRock aesthetic. Can’t you just imagine banging your head to these bluesy rock n’ roll riffs?
What about Sydney’s answer to the dirty-glam sounds of hair metal? Pretend you’ve got some long-flowing locks, a shit load of bravado, and some tight-fitting clothes, then dig the hell out of the infectious guitar squeals of The Lockhearts. Did you know that Cherry will be one of the last times you can ever catch the Hell City Glamours? The band will be releasing their second and final record in June, followed by one last tour before switching off the amps and closing the doors for the final time. What better way to celebrate their career than by getting loose and limber one last time?
A Great Taste Of Melbourne Rock
The size of Australia can sometimes feel a little alienating in terms of what local music you dig, but Cherry brings some of Melbourne’s best live acts straight to the NSW capital. Jumping aboard the train north are two (not so) honourable Melbournites who are ready to give a little taste of Victorian rock to the folk of Sydney.
First up, let’s talk about Drunk Mums. Managed by none other than CherryRock founder and overall eccentric legend James Young himself, this band have rapidly grown to become a favourite of anyone who comes across their ace live show. They produce that kind of head-banging pint-spilling kind of bar rock that is gutsy and irresistibly catchy. If you haven’t heard them yet, give ‘Plastic’ a taste-test here, you won’t be disappointed.
King Of The North are a burning two-piece that absolutely smashed CherryRock Melbourne, with our Tone Deaf Reviewer singing their praises: “guitarist/vocalist Andrew Higgs delivers a kick in the teeth to bass-players everywhere by throwing the vitality of the position into doubt, playing through three amps and using multiple modulations to condense the full rhythm/lead/bass experience into a singular role. As a result, there’s zero room for mistakes, and none are made as Higgs combines with whirlwind drummer Danny Leo to deliver a punchy set of killer rock gems. King Of The North are a brilliant band with a big future, and in hindsight they were the unquestionable highlight of CherryRock 2014.” Salivating stuff, right?
It’s A Bargain
Alright, so now you know why this festival is going to be so damn good, here’s the best part – it’s freaking cheap! We’re talking $60 a ticket. For Australian standards, $60 for a festival is unheard of, hell think about the amount of gigs where you’ve paid much more over the past 12 months, did they offer 14 live acts including internationals as well as locals? Didn’t think so. You’re guaranteed a cracking good time and the rare opportunity to catch a lot of live music that doesn’t always make its way Down Under, and besides, you could well be a part of a new legacy – wouldn’t it be great if you look back fondly in several sold out editions’ time and say ‘I was at the first Sydney CherryRock’.
CherryRock 2014 Sydney Lineup
The Meat Puppets (USA)
Brant Bjork (USA)
Redcoats
Gay Paris
Chris Russell’s Chicken Walk
Drunk Mums
King of the North
Beastwars (NZ)
Child
Stand Alone
Hell City Glamours
The Lockhearts
The Harlots
Don Fernando
+ more to be announced
CherryRock 2014 Sydney Dates, Tickets
Saturday 31 May – The Factory Theatre
1pm – 11.30pm
14 acts, 2 stages, inside and outside.
Tix $60 (+b/f) from www.factorytheatre.com.au from Friday 14 February
