Blondie's Deborah Harry, 67, shows she can still hold an audience at the Homebake 2012 festival in Sydney. Picture: Damian Shaw Source: The Australian
- MUSIC Homebake. The Domain, Sydney. December 8
FORTUNES have improved for Angus Stone. Last time the Sydney singer was at Homebake he got thrown out, he announced from the Dome Stage of this year's event. Presumably it wasn't for the quality of his performance; but even if it were, there was little chance of the same predicament befalling him as he presented songs from his debut solo album, Broken Brights, to a large and adoring audience.
The male sibling of the Angus and Julia Stone success story has surprised a few people with the quality of his songwriting in a solo setting and his delivery of those droning psychedelic folk tunes, after the sun went down on the Domain, was one of the highlights of this year's festival.
Julia, who performed earlier in the evening, joined her brother and most of the audience to howl at the moon during Monsters, a track from Broken Brights.
For the past 16 years Homebake has been the traditional celebration of all that is best in live Australian rock and pop, with a few Kiwis having some claim on the territory also stepping up on occasion. Kimbra was one of those this year and presented a dynamic performance as the final act on the Big Top stage. Her engaging stage presence -- ruffled tutu and punkish ballet manoeuvres -- added weight to her polished hybrid of funk, pop and electronica.
What was happening on the main stage at the same time raises a few questions about the programming of Homebake and its place on the live music calendar as an event focusing proudly and exclusively on local talent.
No one can question Blondie's credentials as one of the most innovative bands of the punk and post-punk era. They boast an impressive catalogue of hits, many of which -- Hanging on the Telephone, The Tide is High, Call Me -- got an airing, although singer Deborah Harry, at 67, appeared more capable of holding an audience with her stage presence than holding all the notes demanded of her voice.
Yet why an American band was brought in to headline a show that traditionally sells out on the Aussie brand is hard to fathom. Tim Minchin, who preceded them, spent his childhood in Perth at least. His witty and musically adept cabaret seemed decidely out of place at a rock festival, however.
On the positive side, there were inspiring sets from a host of Aussie acts. Hilltop Hoods, who preceded Minchin, proved capable of headline status with a show that ignited the largest crowd of the day, a sea of waving arms and willing "make some noise" response to the band's well-crafted hip-hop words and beats. Blue Mountains hip-hop troubadours Hermitude were equally effective late in the afternoon.
Strong perfomances by soul funksters the Bamboos, rock band Tame Impala and moody folk-pop singer Emma Louise showed that Australia has a wealth of talent across any number of genres.
MUSIC
Homebake. The Domain, Sydney. December 8
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