Saturday the 2nd of December saw the wine makers at 3 Oceans open their grounds yet again for another successful outdoor concert series.
This time around it was the launch of SummerSalt, with organisers Zaccaria Concerts and Touring aiming to utilise some of the country’s most picturesque regions.
Certainly Margaret River did not disappoint.
With a strong local and city crowd the warm afternoon was greeted with a perfect mix of both national, international and local acts to more than entertain those willing to part with their hard earned dollars.
Fremantle folk songstress Lucy Peach welcomed the crowd with her soothing tones and general stage/crowd interaction.
Peach is no stranger to the South West area with performances in both Nannup and Bridgetown festivals in the last 12 months, and the audience seemed at home with her as they settled in for a typical warm South West late afternoon.
Hailing from Toronto the former Sudanese child soldier Emanuel Jal seemed to energise the relaxed crowd with his unique brand of what can best be described as political hip-hop.
With strong African-influenced beats from his on stage DJ, Jal’s infectious energy and positive political lyrics had the crowd up on their feet and dancing.
Leading the willing audience into some new African dance moves the ‘warm up’ act fulfilled his duties and then some, leaving all in attendance with a thirst for more and hungry to see what the main acts would bring.
As the warm golden hues of a Margaret River sundown started to grace the stage so too the soulful presence and charisma of Xavier Rudd welcomed the crowd.
Supported by his international flavoured band – with his Samoan bassist and Ethiopian drummer, Rudd’s clear and deep connection to the land was again prevalent in not only his song lyrics but also his interaction with the audiencem who were more than happy to be lead in grateful acknowledgement of the land and sun.
With sun drenched skin, earthy vocals multi-instrument ability and Jim Morrison-esque stage presence, Rudd wooed with ease the female-strong crowd with clearly many pundits there for more than just his music.
Although the whole set was thoroughly enjoyed by all the stand out performances would have been the crowd favourites Let Me Be and Follow The Sun.
On local side note, Rudd a vocal vegan for over 10 years was fuelled by local business owners Dan and Nicola Kozyrski, whose Cowaramup cafe The Black Sheep Deli and its vegan and gluten-free menu was specifically targeted to provide the band’s meals while in town.
Dan and Nicola were delighted to get the call from promoters and relished the opportunity to provide meals for not only Rudd and his band but also Australia's (and arguably one of the world’s) greatest festival and party bands, The Cat Empire.
“Being long-time Cat Empire fans, it was so cool to be able to deliver their dinner directly to the guys and chat with them ahead of their performance,” Nicola said.
Boasting an eight piece band, the perennial favourites from Melbourne once again turned on their magic to delight the South West crowd, opening with Brighter Than Gold from their Rising with the Sun LP.
With their unique fusion of ska, jazz, funk and rock, the energetic group led by Felix Riebel (vocals and percussion) and Harry James Angus (vocals and trumpet) delighted fans with tracks Prophets in the Sky and the location-appropriate Wine Song, with its extended keys intro from founding band member Ollie McGill bringing a touch of jazz to the evening.
With the crowd dancing and singing to every note and beat from group they ended the evening on a high with the hope-focused, declaration lyrics of crowd favourite The Chariot.
With the seemingly right mix of international/national and local artists on the lineup, it looks as though all in attendance will be able to look forward to the South West experiencing more of the flavour that SummerSalt has to offer.