Live at the Gardens
Augie March
Sarah Blasko
Boy & Bear

The sky is dotted with tiny pin pricks of light, a blanket of stars hanging over the Botanical Gardens.

Picnic blankets litter the lawn as people have gathered to watch some of Australia’s best home grown talent.

Augie March get their set underway with ‘ Sunset House’ and people mill around watching or waiting for food in the purpose built food trucks and bar. They draw people in with their unique mellow sounds, creating the perfect atmosphere for the dying sunset.
Showcasing a variety of songs from ‘ The Cold Acre’ and ‘ One Crowded Hour’ closing with ‘ The Train Will Be Taking No Passengers’

It’s a short wait for Sarah Blasko, opening with ‘ The Way’ from the 2024 album ‘ I Just Need to Conquer This Mountain’. She progresses through most of the songs on the ten track album including ‘ Give you Up’ and ‘ Emotions’. Her voice is angelic and sounds sublime. Closing with ‘ Never Let Me Go’ followed by ‘ I awake’ Sarah proves why she is a much loved artist.

The final act on the bill for the night is Sydney band Boy and Bear. Kicking off the set with ‘ Lordy May’ the crowd is swiftly on their feet dancing to the rhythms. Tending to not engage with the crowd the band get down to business with ‘ Old Town Blues’ ‘ State of Flight’ and ‘ Three Headed Woman’.

Things become a sing a long, arms raising as they cover Chris Isaac’s ‘ Wicked Game’, followed by Crownded House classic ‘ Fall At Your Feet’ and Neil Young’s ‘ Heart of Gold’
to which the audience gleefully dance and sing along to- if lighters were still a thing at shows, this would be the
moment for it.

Ending the night with ‘ Southern Son’ Sarah Blasko joins them on stage for a verse, dancing in a black boiler suit.

The Botanical Gardens is a fantastic venue that has come to life and replaced a much needed gap in the outdoor concert venues with the departure of the popular Zoo Twilights series. With food trucks and bars, it’s a fantastic atmosphere for Melbourne music lovers. Created by the team responsible for A Day on The Green, the venue is the perfect location for Melbourne’s mild summer nights, and
hopefully makes it’s return next summer.