Day two of Mundi Mundi line-up was stacked with Ziggy – 50 years of Bowie, Missy Higgins, Birds of Tokyo, Brad Cox, Mi-Sex, The chantoozies and 19-Twenty.
Kicking off the early afternoon train was NSW power house trio 19 Twenty – they are lighting in a bottle loaded with caffeine. There was only one pace for their set and it was flat out (bring your sweat towel and drink bottle you were getting a work out).
The lads had a major issue thou….. the loving tools of their trade were not with them on the flight….. they were going to a holiday journey of their own but it was not Mundi. But….. this was not going to stop them. We had story of growing up in Goldburn, we had sneaky cover mixes sliding into the song list (which was in chaos as all the regular songs required Johnny slapping the double bass – which wasn’t there).
“Having a good time” got a run, with “Call it what you want” plus even “Killing in the name of” and “Cotton eye joe” got the crowd scooting. The fellas kicked on (even without their own instruments) and delivered like professionals.
Next up was the “Chantoozies” with a string of 80’s and 90’s hits we were sure to be transported back in time to our youth. They were bringing the “fun” to the red plains and kicked it into gear straight off the bat. Still proud of holding the honour of being the first artists to play at the Mundi Mundi Bash stage.
The crowd ate up “Love the one you’re with” and then a bash fovourite “Kiss and tell” they talked about their careers in the music scene and how it was a lot different now to then. “Wanna be up” rang loud throughout the 15,000 plus strong with everyone….. and I mean everyone singing along. They sung louder for “Baby it’s you” which was one of my favourites – these ladies still have the goods and we were happy to share them with us.
Mi-Sex were up next and were ready to rock, their third appearance on the red plains, these champions have rock n roll flowing through their veins. There was a technical issue during the start of the set that Steve had a laugh at – apparently someone was flying low in front of 15,000 people but Steve just smiled lol.
Steve told the crowd that he has a tendency to swear and would try his best at this family event, it was an honest try but a short lived one…. But we didn’t care lol.
He led the charge with “Falling in and out with you”, “Cast away” got a run (the crowd loved it) and everyone’s favourite “Computer Games” charged everyone up….. god that song rocks! Mi-sex really knocked it up a notch and Brad Cox was going to have to work hard to keep the tempo running.
Brad Cox rocked onto the stage like he was ready to watch a game of cricket, sharply dressed with a bucket hat and a cheeky grin. He had heard the set before and was up to the challenge. Opening up with his hit “Acres” Brad smacked it for a six!. He danced across the stage cheering with the crowd and handing out smiles to anyone that would take them – Brad is a ton of fun and the faithful fed of his energy throughout his performance.
Loved the song “Drinking Season” (a few people cheered for that song when it started lol). Equally popular was his classic “Beer and fishing” – there was a few people charging their drinks to that one. Rounding out his set with “Give me tonight” was a stroke of genius – he ended his set on a high and everyone charged their drinks in a show of appreciation, it was quiet a show indeed.
Everyone was ready to have the lanterns turned on (if you pardon the pun lol) by “Birds of Tokyo”. I struggled to think how they decided the set lets, with so many banging tracks some punters were going to miss out on their favourites because they were not given a three-hour set lol what a first world problem! Mundi Mundi – “first timers” they were blown away by the crowds, set up and the amazing backdrop this festival uniquely offers (it is a real testament to the massive team of champions).
15,000 + strong singing along to some of the most celebrated Australian rock songs over the last decade. Fan favourites were “There goes my baby”, “Smith street”, “Plans”, “I’d go with you anywhere” – the karaoke to that song was breath-taking and finishing with their smash hit (which everyone was waiting for) was “Lanterns” We all ended on such a high note… everyone was just buzzing.
Up next was Missy Higgins – dropping it down a level of intensity and bringing back to an intimate setting we were all getting ready to be emersed into the multi-ARIA award winning artist mind. This was not Missy’s first time here, 2022 she dazzled us and we were looking forward to her doing it again.
Missy shared stories of how she was travelling and finding her path in the new chapter of her life – an exciting time for an Australian singer songwriter. She busted out her favourites (which were ours as well) – “Watering hole”, “Set me on fire”, “10 days”, loved her new offering “Craters” and she even snuck in a cheeky cover form Sabrina Carpenter called “Coincidence”. Finishing on “Scar” was mesmerising……. Such a beautiful song for a beautiful landscape.
Closing out the night was an unforgettable celebration of David Bowie – “Ziggy 50 years of David Bowie”. Led by iOta, Jeff Duff, Steve Balbi and Bryden Stace we were in for a step back time, everything from “Space Oddity to “Lets dance”. It was a spectacle of colour and lights from start to finish, everything that encompasses Bowie.
All four artist combined delivered a retrospective masterpiece – moments in the performance you could close your eyes and just feel Bowie smiling down on you…. Really cool!. Stand outs for me – the costumes were amazing, they really went the whole hog, song wise “Little china girl”, “Changes”, “Young American”, “let’s dance”. “Under pressure” gave me goose bumps and for me was a highlight of the night but it was closely followed by “We could be hero’s”
All up a long and fruitful days celebrating music…. Still smiling and keen as mustard for Saturday. Massive thank you to the Mundi Mundi team, the volunteers, Cardinal Spin (for the access) and the crowd……… bring on Saturday.
