LIVE REVIEW: WHERE WE BELONG FESTIVAL @ SETTLEMENT COVE LAGOON – REDCLIFFE 27/06/26

Screaming Jets, Large Mirage, Pricey, Whitt’s End, The Phosphenes, Takeover, Profanity Fair, Tailor Made Rejects, Mizzie Maxx

Words and Photos by Cecilia Pattison-Levi

The Where We Belong Festival returned to Redcliffe with a location change from the skate park to Settlement Cove this year. The weather was breezy and blowing a gale by the end of the night as Dave Glesson said: “It’s windy enough up here to blow a dog off a train”. But it didn’t rain! Hooray! The day was a 12-hour live music program of local bands and headlined by The Screaming Jets set up by The Tribe.

The Tribe are a Redcliffe-based social enterprise that is on a mission to bring people together, create opportunities for connection, and help individuals who may be feeling lonely or isolated rediscover their sense of belonging. They are really important to young people around the peninsula and provide a great service to all. They also put on this amazing Where We Belong Festival to raise funds for the community.

This year, there was a change in style to the event with two stages: an Emerging Bands Stage (the truck) and an Experienced Bands Stage. This made life challenging for me as getting around to every band was harder than I thought it would be and I know I missed a few bands as I got carried away with some sets. I apologise to those I missed.

The day started promptly at 10am with Brisbane based band Mizzie Maxx on the main stage. The pink and black band kicked off the day with a bang. Mizzie Maxx should have been further down the order of the day as they had real rock style and a 7-song set of great glam indie-rock songs. It was such a strong start to the day with songs like ‘Rock Chick’, ‘Want Me’ and the fabulous ‘Strike 3’. Really worth checking out this band!

I rushed over to the truck to see the young rock band Noise. The band consisting of Sam, Ben, Cale and Theo put on a great set. What was impressive was that the band – which suffered from those early, first band technical issues with gear coming into use for the first time - sailed through and delivered their original songs. Their look, instrument control and indie-rock style framed their songs ‘Hey You’, ‘You & Me’ and the slow-burn rocker ‘Falling Out Of Love’. A band to watch!

Then, it was back to the main stage for theLogan based band Dedway. The three-piece band rocked out hard from start to finish as they played their songs ‘Frame Of Mind’, ‘Gold’ and ‘Trees And Mirror’. The band members Sam Dedway, Kombi Dave and Andy Cruice brought the energy and delivered indie punk rock numbers. Kombi Dave (bassist) ran around handing out stickers to the front row and that was fun. It was another great set!

Then, it was a rush back to the truck to see Metanoia. Lachlan, Zara, Sam and Gabbie put on a grunge rock set and really dropped the “D” string. The band had a great sound as they delivered a mix of coverssuch as ‘Blur’s ‘Song 2’ and their original song ‘Stereo Madness’. The drummer, Zara, was so cool underpressure when a stick flew off and she calmly went on and got a new stick without skipping a beat.

The main stage, then, hosted Burnout with added Whitt’s End guitarist Jarvis Whittaker as their drummer. Those of us down the front were surprised as who knew Jarvis could play drums. But he certainly let us know that he “so can play drums” and play well. Burnout delivered a high-octane rock ‘n’ roll set with lots of pop-punk tunes like ‘That’s Fine’, ‘Wasted’ and the really good song ‘Roses’. Did we have a ‘Good Time’ with Burnout? Yes. As the guitarist came down into the crowd to play, as the good vibes were spread about the venue.

Then, Paper Plate Pals delivered a tight set with “emo” and nu-metal sounds. The first mosh pit of the day formed with some hardcore moves busted out to ‘Fix Me’. The bass player was amazing as he controlled the instrument with real skill.

Then, did someone ask for heavy? The local band Tomohung got stuck into delivering a huge sound that rattled Redcliffe. Even their warm-up was hard as the beer was placed down onto the stage. The skate punk metal mayhem delivered by Ipswich based band Tomohung delivered big fun: with wailing guitars, huge drum kicks and a thumping bassline. According to vocalist Dan, ‘Tomohung’ means “hanging with friends”, and that was just what he did as he walked around the venue singing to the music fans. The band’s songs were funny and full of “double entendres”. Hear ‘Milk’, the song about a fridge ‘B Flat’, ‘This Time I’ll Go’ and new song ‘Fight For Life’. The jokes about running, clapping and “that’s the only fitness I get” joined the songs and made for an enjoyable and awesome set!

Delphic After Party brought nu-metal to the day with a more hardcore sound with clean and dark vocal fry lighting up their set. They were certainly popular with their fan base with their “plug it and play” attitude. The band admitted that they had “never played a festival before” as they got stuck into delivering their set.

Tailor Made Rejects were up next and it was a “hallelujah” moment. The breeze had picked up and the beautiful heavy metal hair went flying, the band’s heavy instrumentation went off and it was co-joined with a pure rock voice. It was a perfect image of a heavy rock band – my eyes popped and my mouth dropped open – and all I could say was “wow” and “what a voice!”. The set that Tailor Made Rejects delivered was electrifying and high-energy as the bassist Valerie Morrigan jumped off the very high drum riser. The crisp guitar work and a solid rhythm section with that voice brought a massive, stadium-ready wall of sound. The band: Ryan Valley (lead guitar/vocals), Jester Batt (guitar), Dolphin jersey wearing Zakory "The Zigg" Cutmore (drums) and Valerie Morrigan (bass) were joined by Nathan who sang some dark vocal fry to perform a metalcore track. It was headbanging fun with a tight band and great songs like ‘Oddhead’, ‘Mondaze’, ‘Hearts’ and the terrific ‘Face Of Adversity’. The surprise of the day – check this band out! Outstanding!

Munkey Town halved their band with the rhythm section on the truck as the singer and guitarist took to the ground to perform for fans. The Gold Coast band (Woggy, AJ, Aaron and Doug) delivered a set of original songs, “no covers here”, with a more laid-back coastal vibe. The songs ‘On The Inside’ and ‘Beach Sun Turtle’ blended rock, funk, and grunge as the crowd grooved along.

Profanity Fair took a different route for the day and amped up the rockstar “emo” moves and vibes with their great alternative punk-rock set. The band consisting of Mitchell Levi, Michael Culling, Taylor Hampson and their attractive front man Tye Nathan kicked out the pop-punk jams. There were rock tales about an accidental scalping at the Greaser Bar as the band continued with onstage capers as they played up to the crowd and jumped into the crowd to perform. The electric energy coming from their music such as ‘Neverland’, ‘Anime Run To Area 51’ along with some well picked covers of Guns N’ Roses’ ‘Welcome To The Jungle’ and ‘Paradise City’ were eaten up by the crowd. It was a super fun and an extremely clever performance: a real rock show!

Heatstroke was up next and it seemed half of Delphic After Party had backed up to play for this band. The set was varied with pop-punk, nu-metal and some hardcore getting an airing. The band’s songs like ‘Wasting Our Time’ and ‘Destroy Me’ demonstrated a band in development. The elements are here but the band needs to cook a little more – melody and keeping in time and tune are important. The band did finish on a high with ‘Waste Of Space’ but they were not “the peak” of the day.

The peaks of the day had a few moments already with Mizzie Maxx, Tailor Made Rejects and Profanity Fair but the other peaks were to come and the day started ratcheting up with Takeover.

The fantastic singing of Garry Long (vocals/bass guitar) was ably supported by Jason Harris (lead guitar), Billy Henderson (rhythm guitar) and Matt Gardiner (drums) as Brisbane based band Takeover took to the main stage. It was like the early 2000shad never ended as the band brought the Blink-182 shirt and a lead singer that just “wanted to flex” as they landed their pop-punk songs ‘Stuck’, ‘Until Forever Ends’ and ‘Bury Me’. The “Matt’s playing so hard – he broke the snare” moment was gold. The band didn’t lose a beat as a new snare was magically delivered. And with a “Let’s go man,” the band delivered big melodies that had bounce and sass. ‘Take A Look At Me Now’ indeed!

Then, The Phosphenes were up next. I have been a fan of this young band for a while and I was so happy they were on this line-up. And with the sound guy saying “Ready when you are” - The Phosphenes blasted out the first song. Then, the microphone broke! But undeterred, The Phosphenes just started from scratch and they blasted out the jams twice. The band is a three-piece alternative rock band from Caboolture and consists of Toby Vinton (drums/backing vocals), Rosie Bowman (bass/backing vocals) and Reece Depasquale (lead guitar/vocals). They played a fuzz-drenched 1990s-style dynamic punk rock set with big drums, a thumping bassline and a raging guitar. The songs ‘DYV’, ‘No More’ and ‘Telephone’ were standouts.

The rock buzz was carried forward by the energiser bunnies that are Brisbane based band Whitt’s End. I wondered how this set would go as the boys had been “partying and watching their friends’ bands” all day and evening filling in to help other bands out. Well, I shouldn’t have worried – the somersaults, jumps and backward rolls were on display early. Whitt’s End, a three-piece band fronted by brothers Saxon and Jarvis Whittaker with Nicolas on drums, delivered a high-energy and melodic rock assault peppered with pop, punk and grunge with amazing guitar riffs and solos, a slapping bass and great drumming. Huge crowds will soon be hearing Whitt’s End. The band have the stage presence, the moves, the instrument control and the singalong songs such as ‘Corner Of My Eye’, ‘Times We Spent Together’, ‘Save It For Another Day’, ‘Swore To Myself’ and the “are you ready kids”, Mario referencing, ‘Impending Doom’. Whitt’s End closed out their fabulous set with ‘Ode To Music (It Doesn’t Matter)’ and had the crowd under their control as the place went off! Outstanding fun!

The younger crowd were a bit perplexed by the change in music styles as “older people” music started with Pricey (ex-The Chats guitarist Josh Price). Pricey had assistance from a great drummer, Tommy, and Rosie (The Phosphenes) stepped up and did a wonderful job as bass player and backing singer. Pricey and his band won over the crowd with his vibrant, riff-tastic and energetic punk-rock. Pricey delivered an extensive set of songs such as the fabulous humorous ode to the Coolum Bowls Club ‘Courtesy Bus’, ‘Down The Beach’, ‘Holiday’, ‘The Clap’, ‘Pub Feed’, ‘Charlie Sheen’ and the great new track ‘Bastards Never Change’. Pricey really captures that quintessential pub-punk sound, but it was his astounding guitar work that shone. Pricey delivered that anarchic punk spirit and the crowd loved it!

The cold breeze was really blowing off the bay as the Sydney based band, and another surprise of the day, Large Mirage took to the main stage in Redcliffe. This band comprising of Kolya Chan (guitar hero and vocalist), Blake Rochester (bass), AJ Stanton (synths and tambourine) and Bailey Brown (drums)delivered a pastiche of 1970’s hard rock that swirled with texture and style.It was a remarkable set: the soundscape was like early Queen, Cream, The Who, Led Zeppelin, Fleetwood Mac, Buffalo Springfield and Pink Floyd rolled into one. It was more than a look, or a ripped off style: there was real substance here with songs full of personal stories and instrument control that was like – out there! It was no rock history lesson or museum exhibit. Large Mirage executed melodies in songs like ‘When The Morning Shines’, ‘Dream Machine’, ‘Miss Okay’ and ‘I Don’t Love Love’ with amazing interplay between the instruments that dripped with technicality and they made it look easy. It was stunningly good and awe-inspiring. Put Large Mirage on your “must see” list.

The wind was blowing now, the stage was completely reset for The Screaming Jets. I wanted the stage crew to hurry up as I was freezing. I forgot at 10am to bring a jumper for 8pm. The breeze off the bay was cold!

The Screaming Jets put on an authentic and no-frills rock ‘n’ roll show to close out the Where We Belong Festival. You don’t need gimmicks when the band is this good. Mind you, Dave Glesson did do: a headstand, blew water spouts and did a cartwheel across the stage!

The band (Dave, Peter, Jim, Scott, Cam) walked out onto the stage to Thin Lizzy’s ‘Boys Are Back In Town’. The Screaming Jets detonated! The set started with an explosion of energy as the opening chords of ‘C’mon’ bounced around the venue. It set the tone for the night: loud, proud and in your face rock music. The crowd singalong started right from the first lyric. The band rolled into the fan favourite ‘Needle’ before the band launched into ‘Eve Of Destruction’. The Screaming Jets played a comprehensive setlist, thrilling fans with a string of songs like ‘Meet Me Halfway’, ‘Blue Sashes’, ‘Stop The World’, ‘When I Go’ and ‘Think’. Dave Gleeson and Jimi Hocking shared some high jinks during the set. The drummer Cam McGlinchey was on fire and the drumming throughout the set was so impressive.

At the mid-point of the 16-song set, The Screaming Jets delivered the crowd favourites in ‘Sad Song’ and the wonderful melodic melancholic rocker ‘October Grey’. The band paid tribute to Slim Dusty in ‘Cunnamulla Fella’ was played. Then, the huge hits started to roll out with ‘Better’ and the wonderful ‘Helping Hand’. Then, the regulation set was over. The Screaming Jets thanked the crowd and left the stage. But there was more: a three-song encore. Dave Gleeson came back out after a few minutes with his trusty acoustic guitar and delivered the marvellous ‘Shiver’. Then, the band kicked into party mode with a cover of Johnny Cash’s ‘Folsom Prison Blues’ that was performed with class. Then, the set was closed out with the cover of ‘Rockin' in the Free World’ by Canadian singer-songwriter Neil Young. The crowd were so appreciative of the amazing performance from the band. What a way to end the night!

The Screaming Jets delivered an outstanding set for the Tribe.It was wonderful that a band of that quality will stand up for a local charity and group in Redcliffe. Snaps to them! The Screaming Jets delivered the full stop and wonderful ending to a high-quality day of music.

A huge thank you to The Tribe and all the bands who performed. It was a real gift to the local community.