Bimbadgen, Hunter Valley, NSW
Saturday, April 1, 2017
Girls do just want to have fun – especially when they are getting to sing along to the soundtrack of their childhood and coming of age, at A Day on the Green, at Bimbadgen Estate.
There was an air of festivity at the last A Day on the Green for the Summer 2017, when the Hunter came out to pay homage to music icons Cyndi Lauper and Deborah Harry, the front woman of post-punk trailblazer’s, Blondie.
It seemed everyone had a ‘story’ of why they loved Cyndi or Deborah, and celebrated in their own way, some dressing in tutus and cute sailor outfits, like their idols once had.
There was sunshine, the intoxicating lure of nostalgia, fine wine and good food, backed-up by a solid support line-up to enjoy. Everyone seemed to know it was going to be a great day.
Triple J favourite Alex Lahey was a great choice to get the party started, her fun spirit and jangly tunes had some parts of the crowd singing along, especially to You Don’t Think You Like People Like Me and Ivy League.
But most importantly, Alex got their attention and its great to think some punters might have looked her up on their favourite streaming service, when nursing their hangover the next day.
Montaigne stands out, when her catchy ear worms are played on commercial radio, and when she’s singing for the Hill Top Hoods. She stood out at A Day on the Green.
Wearing a baggy power suit, possibly from the 1980s, Montaigne commanded the stage and showcased her great voice and talent, with lots singing along especially to her hit single Because I Love You.
I can remember swooning, in a agitated-looking jumpy way to The Clouds, back in the 1990s at iconic Newcastle venues of the 1990s such as The Bar on the Hill and The Cambridge. I loved them then, and loved them now. When those rocking chanteuses sang Say It, my plus-one and I gave each other a slamming embrace – it was just like old times.
As the sun began to set, the stage was re-created into an old time theatre – the perfect setting for the career-spanning set that the incredible Cyndi Lauper, was about to gift to the pumped up crowd.
Magnificent with dramatic pink hair, Lauper played her way through the musical standards she reworks on her latest album, Detour. She showed with charisma and broad musical and vocal talent, this was a Detour she was right in taking, and crooned out I Fall to Pieces by Patsy Cline and Walking After Midnight.
Not wanting to see her fans lost by the change of direction, Lauper treated us early on with a rousing version of She Pop. All the ladies loved it. Then she made us swoon with a stripped back and sexier version of I Drove All Night.
Money Changes Everything and the Good Enough song Lauper penned for The Goonies movie (remember that?) were hits everyone remembered. The soulful introduction to Time After Time had the audience feeling all emotional, before Lauper commanded a hyped up Girls Just Want to Have Fun. And boy did they!
Ending on True Colours was the cherry on top for some very satisfied fans, and we all sang our hearts out, and everyone left knowing the Lauper was still all that, and more.
Blondie proved they are still relevant and fierce. Harry took to the stage wearing a smock emblazoned with Don’t F**k the Planet and selling band shirts, adorned with bees, to raise awareness about the plight of the honey bee, whose survival is impacted by growing pollution.
Regaling in playing numbers from their upcoming album Pollinator, due to released in May 2017 – Blondie, with Harry sexy and seductive upfront, and driven by foundation guitarist Chris Stein and drummer Clem Burke, gave a youthful performance.
New tracks Doom or Destiny, Fun and My Monster, written by Johnny Marr of The Smiths fame, were set standouts. It was fabulous to hear their latest single Long Time, released just days before the gig.
The crowd were thankful for the musical and environmental schooling, but were eager to hear hits. And Blondie delivered. Opening with One Way or Another, and playing Maria and Call Me to an adoring crowd. A cover of Fight For Your Right To Party was a fun surprise, but the standouts for me and my P1 was hearing Harry smoulder, then rap like a master, for the groundbreaking single, Rapture.
Then they played Atomic. And then I think they played Heart of Glass for encore. I was enraptured, and drunk on nostalgia and excitement. This girl had had lots of fun.
GALLERY
Thanks to Tim Bradshaw
