Part of the Passing Parade of Life.

The Festival opening parade [Photo: Og Bear]

It was to be the most anxious start to an Apollo Bay Music Festival ever.  The week leading up to it had been chaotic, with little chance to relax, repair and prepare.

On Thursday, the night before we were due to leave, my dialysis machine goes haywire, but a reset gets it going.  This could have been a disaster as I would have to either dialyze at the clinic on Friday morning, or if there was no room at the clinic, and the techs fixed the machine I would have to miss the Friday night at the Festival because I would be dialyzing at home.

I make it through the run, but just when I have finished the dialysis machine kacks itself entirely and refuses to even start, but I have dialyzed and it now is a matter of getting the machine changed over before I leave, or risking a changeover late Monday, when after 3 days away it would be imperative that I dialyze that night.

Picked up Mr Merls from the station, returning home to find the techs were there to change the machine over.  The level of angst was somewhat reduced at this point.

Eventually we headed off mid afternoon, via the back way over the mountains, arriving in Apollo Bay around 5pm.

This year we were not to be at the farm.  A great disappointment, however we were staying with the Badges in a proper 'beach shack'; no ostentatious town house here.

The opening parade is a very local affair lead by school children and town criers.  It all seemed darker than previous years, but then we remembered that the Festival is a week later and daylight saving ended last weekend.

Trailer Trash is with us once again, but trailerless, under the BBQ pavilion where they played right into the night.

The atmosphere of the fair [Photo: Og Bear]

Like previous years we found a great food fair with heaps of atmosphere on the foreshore park along with the marquees erected for the Festival.  Mr Merls and I decided that Gerry's Veggie Burgers were to be tea, but though we really enjoyed them, we were so full up that any more food would have to wait for the following days of the Festival to squeeze it in.

Our first band was Tinpan Orange , a gypsy folk band, at the Bowls Club.  This has always been one of the better venues (good atmosphere and cheap drinks) and it was fuller than ever with an overhead screen broadcasting to those who couldn't see.

Mr Merls headed off to see Dan and Al at the Apollo Bay Hotel.  After a few more songs I really wasn't sure what to make of this band.  I was about to leave myself when vocalist Emily started the next song, but then I closed my eyes and it was magic.  I was definitely leaving now, as this was as good as it gets!

Back on the foreshore park was a bigger tent for Kids Under Canvas which also housed the Next Wave 2011 competition where young up and coming bands could demonstrate their prowess.

Also, this year the Bay Stage was about half the size which made it a bit more cozier for bands and the audience.

I caught up with Mr Merls at the Apollo Bay Hotel where he was watching Dan and Al.

Next was the ABC Tent where Shane Howard and Band were playing.  They were a highlight at Maldon, but the lighting and the sound were quite disappointing which let them down.

Hat Fitz and Cara Robinson in the Sessions Stage [Photo: Mr Merls]

Again the Session Bar which was such a success last year was running at the other end of the ABC Tent and Hat Fitz and Cara Robinson soon struck up to keep the punters happy while the next band setup on the main stage.  I was a bit disappointed when I had last seen Hat and Cara last year at the "de la", but not this time.  It was a no holds barred Hat & Cara, blues meets Celtic act, just the way we like it!  The Sessions Bar seemed to be the main focus for the Sleepy Hollow Blues Club members at Apollo Bay.

There seems to be a gap in the night here for some reason, next thing I remembered was Dirt River Radio on at the Session Bar.  A combination of rock and roots, they are more of an act than a band.

The Barons of Tang on the ABC Stage [Photo: Og Bear]

The Barons of Tang were the next up on the Main Stage, and this was quite an eclectic gypsy band with dashes of Latin, tango and rockabilly.  They sported quite a collection of  unusual instruments including what appeared to be a weird looking long skinny, floor to mouth, sax.

I needed something sweet so I had a serve of those Dutch pancakes from that stall whose name that I can never pronounce.

Eagle in the Worm on the Bay Stage [Photo: Mr Merls]

From there I caught up with Mr Merls, at Jaimi Faulkner , in the Bay Stage Tent.  I went over to the Great Ocean Road Hotel, but was soon back in the Bay Stage Tent to see Eagle & The Worm .

Intoxica in the Great Ocean Road Hotel [Photo: Og Bear]

Then I headed back over to see Intoxica at The Great Ocean Road Hotel.  This was an obligatory as Edward Badge works with Teebs, the bass player, but what a surprise, a lot of garage and surf, with a bit of psychobilly thrown in.  And, Tony who Edwards says is almost timid, on the stage turns into a complete showman!

Edward worse for wear, and it's only Friday night! [Photo: Og Bear]

It was only Friday night and Edward Badge seemed to be worn out already!

Back to the Badges' digs where I was surprised to find no resistance to the idea of turning in and getting a good nights sleep!

Caught the end of Jim Conways Big Wheel and Friends when I got back to the Festival late on Saturday morning.  Drawing from the influences of blues, Cajun, and African music, I hoped to see them again before the end of the Festival.

Then it was around to the Mechanics Institute to see Martha Tilston , a folk singer from the UK; very disappointing and I left after only a few songs.

Buskers, Brendon and Jarrod, arriving to setup for the weekend [Photo: Og Bear]

Buskers lead singer catches an eye [Photo: Mr Merls]

Saturday morning and the atmosphere of the market [Photo: Og Bear]

After a bit of a lull, this year the street scene was quite strong with buskers, with a few groups amongst them were really outstanding.  The usual Saturday morning market added to the atmosphere as well.

Not even lunchtime yet, but already it is becoming a bit of a blur.  After much pondering I have come up with President Roots , winner of last year's song writing competition, at the Apollo Bay Hotel.  The Tiger and Me at the Bowls Club; MW2 in the Session Bar; Angie Hart on the ABC Stage; back to the Sessions Bar to see James Butt !

On recommendation, I made my way to the Star of the Sea Church, to once again see Tinpan Orange.  The place was pretty packed and I managed to get in through a side door, but to be honest, I think I had got the best the night before at the Bowls Club!

On the way back the street was again abuzz with people, buskers and street performers, greatly adding to the atmosphere of the Festival.  I had seen the cakes in the Apollo Bay Hotel earlier so made my back there for a scrumptious rhubarb and apple pie with cream.  Later I tried a pizza from one of the stalls; what a disappointment! 

Mr Merls, Matty, the Badges were all idle out the front of the Bowls Club.  Inside Ian Bland and the Lamington Drive Orchestra, a folk band, whose stories are drawn from urban and country Australia.

I did not want to miss the Grigoryon Brothers , Slava and Leonard, at the Bay Stage.  It doesn't matter what genre you into, you have to respect these guys classical skills and talent.

The Pirates of Beer's Chris Wilson blowing his harp in the ABC Tent [Photo: Mr Merls]

Our own Pirates of Beer were next at the ABC Tent.  Originally a backing band for a visiting music friend from overseas of Chris Wilson and Sarah Carols, the band including Sweet Felicia, has now taken on a life of it's own, entertaining friends up and down the coast and in Melbourne and elsewhere.

The next act at the Bay Stage was indie pop band, The Tiger and Me where I made a mobile call to a friend, who was a fan of theirs, to let him know what he was missing out on.  The funny thing was in the midst of the audience in the tent no body seemed bothered by me using my mobile.  But when I finally have the manners go outside the tent to make the follow up call I get abused by this idiot because he says those outside can't hear the music!

I trekked back to the Mechanics Institute in the hope of seeing Vika Bull singing with The Hornets .  As soon as I came around the corner I saw the crowd backed right out down the footpath.  Again without dedicated media passes it was impossible to get past the volunteer on the door.  But here too, I had spotted that a side door was open so slipped around and managed to get in and get a few shots, then retreated back to the door to watch the rest of the show.

View over the Festival from the Surf Club [Photo: Og Bear]

Trailer Trash, sans trailer, in the Surf Club [Photo: Og Bear]

Sleepy Hollow's own blues jam band, Trailer Trash, was  playing at the Surf Club when I arrived and a lot of the Blues Club crowd were there to see them.  They were in fine form and had the crowd up and moving.

It was evening and I found Bomba out on the street 'annoying' people with their 'in your face' busking which seemed to give them the opportunity to open up a conversation with a few of the ladies.  Over the road in the park I happened upon a drumming workshop that had members of the audience completely involved.  That's what I love about this Festival, it is so generous!

I got another dose of the Barons of Tang in the Bay Stage.

Drummers performing and involving the crowd [Photo: Og Bear]

At this stage I realized I was not going to see all the acts I had on my list.  Maybe a last dash tomorrow, the last day, but I doubt it.

Spyndrift with Elle twirling her parasol in the Sessions Bar [Photo: Og Bear]

Must see Spyndrift was official this year, not busking but on the main program and at the Sessions Bar.  Elle, uninhibited, was in full form leading the band.  They have come a long way since winning the Vic Hunt Memorial Award at the Blues Club last year.

The Backslider's Dom strumming his guitar [Photo: Og Bear]

Turned up to the ABC Radio Stage to see the Backsliders only to find they were way behind.  Left but there wasn't much else on.  Came back again after about 30 minutes or so to only hear a security guy being told by a roady that they would be another 50 minutes.  Something strange was going on here, because they didn't seem to be trying to rush acts through, it was more like they were stringing them out.  Maybe the Backsliders were stuck on a plane, or at the airport?  We never did find out, but eventual they were on stage and playing.  Then to our consternation the MC walked on and tried to cut them off halfway through their set!  The crowd reacted and we got another two long songs out of them.

Sweet pangs; time for another dose of Dutch pancakes!

I got a quick glimpse of folk band, Zeptepi , in the Sessions Bar before heading up to the Surf Club for Spyndrift's late night burlesque show.  This was a first time production and though you could see where they were trying to go, it needed a lot of work, finishing and polishing.

Graveyard Train ending the night in the ABC Tent [Photo: Og Bear]

I was tired, but I wasn't quite ready to call it a night yet.  I found Graveyard Train in the ABC Tent finishing Saturday night off.  They certainly lived up to their name with punk country songs of the macabre.

The film "Our Generation" in the Mechanics Institute [Photo: Og Bear]

On Sunday morning I saw the film, "Our Generation", at the Mechanics Institute.  The film detailed the plight of Aboriginal Australia leading up to, and into the current Intervention.

View back towards Apollo Bay's main street and the Festival [Photo: Og Bear]

From there it was Stonefield, an all girl rock band, on the Bay Stage, but they were quite disappointing so I moved on and caught a bit more of Hat Fitz & Cara Robinson at the Apollo Bay Hotel.  I have never been a great fan of this venue and was glad I had seen Hat and Cara in the Sessions Bar on Friday night.

Again it was becoming a blur.  Ian Bland and the Lamington Drive Orchestra was on again at my favourite venue, the Bowls Club; President Roots at Apollo Bay Hotel; alternative country and blues band, Rattlehand in Sessions Bar; then David Hosking in Bay Stage.

By now with the lateness of stages and errors on the Program I was losing the battle of seeing all the acts that were on my list.

I thought Pirates of Beer were on next at the Bay Stage, but I came across Sarah and Chris loading into the Apollo Bay Hotel where they informed me that the program was wrong.  A few people had mentioned that it was better to check the artist profiles in the program for when they were on as the grid was up the creek!

Jim Conways Big Wheel and Friends were still playing, delighting the crowd, myself and Mr Merls with their show, so we decided to come back afterward for Pirates of Beer.

Mr Merls socialising in the Sessions Bar while Rattlehand are playing [Photo: Og Bear]

Street performer [Photo: Og Bear]

Two young ladies heading for the Bay Stage Tent [Photo: Og Bear]

Pony Face playing in the Great Ocean Road Hotel [Photo: Og Bear]

Down at the Great Ocean Road Hotel I found indie rock trio, Pony Face.  Wasn't quite sure what to expect, but I was not disappointed by their sound and energy on stage.

Sweet Felicia singing with the Pirates of Beer in the Apollo Bay Hotel [Photo: Og Bear]

Back to the Apollo Bay Hotel where The Pirates of Beer are ready to start.  Chris's ultimatum that they won't begin till everybody is off their backsides and ready to dance soon has the crowd alive with Chris on the harp, Sarah on the guitar and vocals, Sweet Felicia on the bass.  Felicia was quite blushed red when Chris revealed to the crowd that 20 or so males had made their feelings known to her!  They also invited Eddie Boyle from Warrnambool to get up and blow his harp with Chris.

The Shane Howard Band was next at the Bay Stage and again seemed to lack the energy they had at Maldon.  Maybe it was just a different crowd here?

I was peckish again and was heading back to Gerry's when Merryn offered me some of her Thai curry from the same stall that the yesterday's pizza had come from.  I had been a bit reluctant to try one of these curries, but it was delicious.  The downside was that it filled me up and left little room for Sharon's Vietnamese salad.

Rob Hirst working up a sweat with the Backsliders in the Bay Stage Tent [Photo: Og Bear]

The Backslider's Rob Hirst hammering out a percussion solo [Photo: Og Bear]

It was back to the Bay Stage for a proper dose this time, of legendary Australian delta blues band, the Backsliders.  Dom demonstrated his guitar acumen, while Rob hammered out his continuous drum burst.  Brod was almost a quiet observer, just slipping in a bit of subtle harmonica when needed.

Nicky Bomba, with Bomba, leading the End Party in the ABC Tent [Photo: Og Bear]

The End Party was in the ABC Tent.  It started with the obligatories, then Bomba came on stage to start the end.  Nicky really fired up the crowd then brought on a bit of a surprise with the legendary Ross Hannaford!  Next invited on was the young up and coming local brass ensemble, The Cactus Channel .

Mr Merls was there as was a few other friends.  We had enjoyed it, but with everybody on stage it was starting to be a bit of a blancmange so we exited and made our way across to the Apollo Bay Hotel End Party.  Lee Rosser started up and was soon joined by the Lounge Hounds.  They had hardly settled in and suddenly Nicky Bomba was at the drums, but somehow it wasn't happening.  Unlike previous years, this was it, there was to be no grand finale, it was over and we were to get an early night's bed.

Back at the Badges they had saved a portion of the lasagne they had made so I was certainly not hungry by the end of Sunday!

Mr Merls had made friends with the guys from Rattlehand who had come down from Brisbane for the Festival and went to their own private End Party.

Well what can I say?  The lighting had definitely been cut back on as was the sound.  We were very disappointed not get the neat little media passes that we had last year, which also made getting access to venues and backstage for interviews and photos a lot harder than last year.  But, as we were informed by several attendants that we spoke to, that there had been a lot of changes to the committee and that a lot of cuts had taken place.

Even though I enjoyed many of the acts, as far as a festival is concerned I felt I was just going through the motions.  Mr Merls and I have come to 4 Apollo Bays in a row as well as 3 of the early ones.  Maybe it is time to give it a rest and move on somewhere else, coming back in a few years time.  I don't know, maybe I will be tempted to come back again next year?

Ogbear

These photos & more got to:
https://picasaweb.google.com/OgBear/ApolloBayMusicFestival2011

For slideshow go to:
https://picasaweb.google.com/OgBear/ApolloBayMusicFestival2011#slideshow/

Mr Merls