'The Phoncurves'

Evening everyone!



For those of you who come into the Music Cavern often may have heard that one of our beloved tutors, Abbie Roberts, was offered a great opportunity for a gig at The Zoo in Brisbane.

The Zoo is a well-known café and pool hall transforming at night to become a venue for old and new bands alike. They’ve been open since December 1992 as a place mainly where developing musicians could get a start. In that time, they’ve built up quite a history of past performers including Powderfinger, Eskimo Joe, John Butler Trio and Missy Higgins, as well as local talent such as Ball Park Music and Emma Louise. I was lucky enough to be there to watch Abbie Roberts and Naomi Burrell in their duo ‘The Phoncurves’ join that list.

For such a popular venue I found the entrance of The Zoo quite hidden, unlike some of the clubs and bars dotted throughout the Valley, The Zoo was secretly nestled amongst several little boutiques. Through the door and atop the stairs, however, awaited a large warehouse-type room. A group had already crowded in front of the stage as they watched the first supporting act, ‘The Modern Gent’, perform.

While the two supporting acts, ‘The Modern Gent’ and ‘Ara and the Davis Band’, were entertaining, the real stars of the night were the lovely ladies of ‘The Phoncurves’ as headlining act. The local musicians took us through many of their own songs plus several covers. Between songs they would swap instruments, Naomi would pass the guitar she was playing to Abbie, while Abbie would give up her keyboard for Naomi.

The pair sung in harmony effortlessly, transforming the atmosphere throughout the large room. The music was relaxing enough for people to sit back and listen to, but also alive enough for people to sway in time to. Soon the duo’s cheeriness had spread, and it was felt throughout the hall.  

On speaking to Abbie after the show had ended it was exciting to learn that the managers of the hall had enjoyed them as much as the rest of us and invited them back for future gigs. Overall they performed beautifully and the opportunity has proved extremely valuable in gaining them coverage.

Just like the other local talent that has graced the stage at The Zoo, ‘The Phoncurves’ have managed to achieve a priceless head-start in their career.




To see more of 'The Phoncurves' check out their Facebook page through the link below...
http://www.facebook.com/thephoncurves?ref=ts&sk=app_178091127385

Monkeys loose in Brisbane

Hey everyone,

This is MC Blogger!

As my first blog for the Music Cavern I thought I'd start off with mentioning the recent Arctic Monkeys concert at Riverstage, Brisbane.

For anyone who wasn't there that night the atmosphere was unlike any other concert. Everywhere you'd turn find another spectator with a completely different style from the last; scarily looking people dressed in black hid in the shadows of the trees, stud-covered kids ran throughout the increasing crowd whilst woman in rainbow colours from their hair to their toe rings danced by swaying their bodies and flailing their arms in the air.

Despite this I've never been to a concert where everyone got along so well, rather than attacking each other in the mosh pit.

Alex greeted everyone with his relaxed British mutter before taking us through songs from their newest album "Suck It And See", then visiting every other album, as far back as their first "Whatever People Say I Am That's What I'm Not".

While the changes in style from album to album were obvious, Alex's poetic lyrics stayed the same. The complex and narrative words unmistakably belonged to Turner and as usual did not disappoint. 

Halfway through the concert Alex reminded us that this was their last concert in Australia. Therefore he said they were going to give everyone the best show, a promise that was met with the crowds enthusiasm.

The Arctic Monkeys have now continued their tour in Europe and will finally end it in the US in May.

If anyone reading went that night - leave a comment on how you thought the night went.