2017’s Blurst of Times boasted a new and comparably impressive line-up as we’ve come to expect, in the same reliable yet impressive venues. Thirty-one acts spread across three and-a-bit venues: the Black Bear Lodge, The Foundry, and the Brightside (and it’ carpark). Part of the festival’s yearly success must be by merit of the Valley and it’s venues. It’s a closer walk from set to set than at Glastonbury (just as long as you can avoid the allure of Dominoes and karoke as you cross from the Foundry to the Black Bear), the drinks are cheaper, and the non-festival goers are still actively partaking in the nightlife.

The first act of the evening was Nice Biscuit at the Black Bear, a rootsy, dance, (post-ironic??) Brisbane psych-piece, who’s chill vibes and mellow bass-riffs were the perfect way to ease into the festival. Nice Biscuit are evidence of that beautiful hidden charm of festival line-ups; listening to new, interesting and exciting bands and perhaps there was no better place to listen to this band then the warm, leather-fit and dimly lit Black Bear. 

Not one to approach festivals with a “see all the bands, let’s go, let’s go, if we leave now we can still catch the last five minutes” mentality, I decided to drink my way back to the Brightside in time to catch Ruby Fields.  Notably, this year the festival boasted a more diverse range of talents, and what a talent Ruby was. Hard, tight drums+diva vocals = a pumped crowd. Nice Biscuit chilled me out nicely; Ruby Fields woke me back up, like a hot-wing after a Xanax. Ready to dance I moved inside to wait for the Concrete Surfers, a Brisbane staple, especially at the Empire Hotel where they’ve clearly toned their crowd working skills to an art.

I moved back to the Blackbear, possibly nostalgic for some more chill vibes, possibly cause I was receiving texts that it was packed, definitely due to Sydney’s alt-power group Body Type. By the time I was there, Planet had well and truly found their feet. Their music filled the room not with volume but with some strange quality, a combination of spacey vocals and guitar riffs over exciting chord progressions.

Now, Bris-182, a Brisbane based Blink-182 cover band- maybe inspired by Ciggy-Pop’s appearance at the festival last year. This band had received a lot of attention leading up to the festival. The Brightside was pumped. People love Blink-182. What can be said? Bris-182 played their songs, but carried them with their own charisma to a crowd that couldn’t be more pumped. Brisbane is a great place, Blink-182 is a great band, they couldn’t fail but they excelled.

Like most festivals, the top of the line-up is always daunting. Who am I going to miss? Everyone was excited for Alex Lahey, especially the prospect of her playing new material. Dolewave outfit Good Boy were perhaps the most at home at the festival, one of the most ‘Brisbane’ bands out there, and Ngaiire’s shows have been heralded as spiritual and life changing experiences. I opted for Green Buzzard, The Creases, Skeggs. Because they were all nearby, in one place, and I predicated walking in a straight line may soon become an issue.

The second Green Buzzard were on stage, the audience knew, their effortlessly cool garb and of course national reputation, demand respect. I'm not sure what Brisbane loves more - The Creases, or the idea of The Creases. All members boast this likability that makes you want to sing along with them. And boy can they pack a car park with diehard fans.

Skeggs have that seminal quality of being able to open a festival, or close one in exactly the same way. They can get people pumped, or they can send them out into the night to cause mayhem.Everyone knew all the words. No-one could stop moving. Drinks were spilled, and no one cared. And when it was all over, the audience descended on the Valley to cause mayhem.

 Blurst of Times is special because it is ours. It’s one of the few remaining festivals that feels like it’s for the patrons, and as the years go by it increasingly feels like it’s for the city. Perhaps the best thing about The Blurst of Times Festival, and there are so many good things, is the exponential rate at which it gets better from year to year. This year was great. I’d warrant next year will be unforgettable.

Thomas Glassey