A Sunshine Coast Summer Farewell

A humid day in Queensland always runs the risk of rain and Stab and Summer Bright’s final stop off copped the full brunt. Thankfully, Sunny Coasters aren’t disheartened by a little northern downpour and partied through with ease. 

After the unforgettable line we witnessed at the Coolie party Saturday night we were well aware the afternoon ahead would pack an even heftier punch. By adopting the “mind over matter’ mentality we laboured ourselves off the lounge, bed, floor – wherever we ended up sleeping – and punched it straight to the Sunshine Coast; just a couple hours north of our Snapper Rocks abode. 

There were still a few groomed lumps lingering along the Gold Coast on our drive north and we knew that bringing a few boards along for the ride would never hurt. Crewsy, Haz, Kai Hing and Jake Vincent were equally keen for a little pre-shenanigans shred, so they too joined along for the ride. We surfed a little Noosa point break not too far from the gig at Sunshine Beach Surf Club where the first band was kicking off at 3pm. 

Bugs, a fast-paced punk soaked surf band initiated the arvo with a punchy set under a quickly receding sun. By the time Bugs retired to the bar and The Belligerents opening synth began the skies opened causing a rapid influx of rain averse fans; in hindsight though, the rain was a sweet relief from the sweaty stage floor. 

During the breakdown of Caroline – a Belligerents banger – Lewis (AKA Peter Garret’s dance partner) launched himself off the stage for a non-oceanic crowd surf; surprisingly the only one to go down on the whole trip. 

Alex Lahey rounded out the night as per usual with a strong stage presence and even mixed it up with a couple of mid-gig guitar swaps.

After the gig the party continued far into the evening and perhaps even the early hours of the next day – hence the belated recap. Now we’re back at the Quiksilver Pro and have nothing left but soiled clothes, overworked livers and a tonne of memories of what was a splendid Summer Sessions tour.  

I’d inform you of the next gig but unfortunately there isn’t one. Better luck next time.