Words by Steve Shelverton
Photography by Paul Blackburn @wysiwyg.pix
“Respected by the entire Australian music industry with hard rocking punk sensitivities, uncompromising musical talent, delivered with vibrant stage presence from the voice of an angel.” The Buoys review, done! However, my editor requests more than a paragraph, yet in essence, we unequivocally adore The Buoys.
A deluge of respect rains down on Zoe, Tess, Courtney and Hilary from the most cyclonic of heavy punk hitters, a sentiment shared by the more supple artists within the breadth and width of the punk genre, other genres too, but punk is the tidal current that floats my boat or should I say Buoys? …That’s the only Dad Joke I promise.
The Buoys garner so much respect, that even my Mum Baked her famous ANZAC Biscuits to keep them sustained on the first leg of the ‘Lustre’ Album Tour in Hobart. Thanks Mum, Love ya! And thanks to The Buoys for including the Apple Isle on the ‘Lustre’ tour.
Donning my heart on my sleeve wearing a bright Pink Buoys T-shirt, signed by the band (strictly a handwash only item) I joined a diverse and jubilant sold-out crowd, outside the Valley Loft.
My arthritic digits were crossed in hope to hear Linda, I Want You; I will burst open like an overripe mandarin if I hear the El Primo punk track Wah. Tonight is a celebration of the ripping ‘Lustre’ album (a shoe-in for an ARIA) so I’ll gladly take what I get given.
Moving inside, I said a quick hello to Hilary (lead guitar, backing vox) and partner just prior to Hilary taking to the stage to welcome the crowd, expressing deep gratitude, and offer a respectful Acknowledgement To Country to the traditional custodians of this land, and welcome support acts Breakfast Road and Betty Taylor.
The Valley Loft has the welcome subtraction of crowd barriers, enabling good floor proximity to a slightly elevated stage. This type of set up enables that physical bond between artist and punter, encouraging crowd interaction and heightening the experience for both.
Breakfast Road, are a Sydney 3-piece, self-confessed boy band of undercover nerds – their words not mine! They played an upbeat smooth session RnB bubble-gummish Pop, each sharply dressed with ample loads of healthy banter. Brisbane can lay claim to having Breakfast Road dropping their recent track Endlessly while here. Perhaps this will forge a residual bond between the artist and our city?
References to ROBLOX fit check comments landed well on the more youthful members of the audience, those same punters further embraced the relatable lyrics of relying on public transport “Superstar Shit- the 756 you know!”
I confess to being out of my depth with this genre of music, however I was impressed with the band opening a cold start set with enthusiasm, humour and ability to get the crowd dancing. The lads closed the set with charisma and product placement, reminding the audience of the band’s name in a back-and-forth echo between the crowd “Breakfast – – – Road!”
Between change over the P.A played Brisbane’s own Lady Thelma Plum’s Better in Blak, with most the crowd singing every word, this affirmed I was in the best of company.
Imagine if Stevie Nicks had a support band from the Sunny Coast, if she did it, would be Betty Taylor. The lights shone down on the amassing crowd, frontwoman (Sophie Patrick) noted this irregularity with the lighting, stating, “…We can see all your beautiful faces, and no-one looks disgusted, so that’s a good start!”
As if anyone would be disgusted with scrumptious tracks like Can’t Get Enough being served up. triple j listeners would be familiar with this track, a dreamy journey of new love, without being overtly oversweet, perfectly harnessing a reserved happiness without the PDA.
Fuck You hits gentler than the song title suggests, I think this is where Sophie announced, “I cry a lot, but I’m super productive!”. With lingering guitar hooks, gentle percussion, raw lyrics and smooth crooning, Betty Taylor perfectly complements The Buoys both sonically and lyrically. check out the latest track Young Dumb Immature to put this analogy to the test.
The set closed with Stallin’, Betty Taylor’s catchy: “oooow, woo ooooo… I’m falling and I hear you calling” – this had the crowd clapping with enough cheer to assure Betty Taylor they were calling them to stay, or at least come back very soon.
‘Lustre’ is an energetic masterpiece and one of my favourite albums in 2024 – all 14 songs, 47 minutes and 26 glorious seconds of it. This album was not rushed into production, in fact it took 8 years before a full studio album was mastered for the band. During that time, The Buoys have honed their skills via touring to surgical precision, enabling a tightly fused unison both in writing, recording, post-production and of course barnstorming live performances to showcase the titan-like strength they now possess.
On taking the stage, Zoe exclaimed “LIVE, LOVE, LUSTRE!” surrounded by her band members wearing t-shirts of the support acts and opening the set with Borders.
The rousing, melody Check Mate was next on the setlist to the joy of the crowd, a song that bends Fenders and Zoe’s vocals intertwined to blend in perfect harmony.
Settle Petal is the ‘Lustre’ album opening track, it spins a wise reflection of love, loss and growth. Before it’s hit by a hurdy-gurdy of roller-coaster guitar riffs. Hold on tight crowd, this ride is going to induce some e-mmotion Sickness!
Tess was having a blast with the unexpected recall of the 2023 Single I Want You. Zoe confessed “Brisbane is the only place I worry about dropping my guitar pick. Not because it’s a hot humid, city, it’s because of all you hot bitches!”
Courtney‘s sublime bass line was wandering all the way down Brunswick Street during Guard my Heart, a soothing breakup song that expresses vulnerability yet still brings joy. That sentiment was perfectly connected to the next song Holding On like two friends empathetically holding hands to support of each other.
“Lie to me again, I would be surprised if you could see just how much you fucking meant to me!” was belted back by the crowd when The Buoys played their biggest hit to date, Lie To Me Again. The backing vocals in this track are a great example of why live music is such a rewarding life experience.
It was time for the Surprise Song section time, and Brisbane can pride themselves on having as many votes as Sydney (The Buoys hometown). I’m not going to reveal what that song is, as that’s our reward for buying a ticket to see them, and that secret is safe with me. I can share Red Flags made an appearance as did Unstuck, an ode of gratitude to Zoe‘s big sister, who was present in the audience tonight.
The mystery of BDSM was revealed, it’s meaning is not of a sexual nature it is– Bring Down Scott Morrison. A motivation to act, standing up for the injustices of minority groups incurred by the decision-making of the privileged. Zoe implored us to stand up for social justice where it is needed “…Need you to hear it!”.
Hilary’s lightning-bolt guitar solo, rocketed the crowd into a high launch during the 2021 throw-back Bad Habit. Then immediately halted the pace for an atmospheric re-entry with Ahead Of Myself, a beautiful song about the headiness of falling in love. I’m not crying you’re crying! Tess’s drum rolls, gently support Zoe‘s bold voice and sensitive lyrics.
Ahhh that spaghetti western intro…with a scathing berating from Zoe. I’d love to know the story of Linda. Whoever you are Linda, and as nasty as you sound, I’d say thanks for inspiring this wild track but my now my Swiss cheese face was melting from the molten lava guitar licks, and piping hot screams from the crowd.
Subject A is such a snappy snarly middle finger up to the dicks that just don’t get it. A proper call to lean in rather than lean out. The punk ethos builds and rocks so much so that Zoe needs to shed her guitar, and get amongst it with her loving Brisbane crowd.
Both support acts joined them on stage to belt out the closer Totally Completely Fine. It felt like a New Year’s Eve countdown celebration. In a way this was a celebration, to the strength determination, tenacity, and talent The Buoys have, and publicly praise their steeliness in delivering the 2024 Aria grabber – ‘Lustre’.
If this Gonzo-esque rave about The Buoys hasn’t inspired you to see them at every available opportunity, I challenge you to play the ‘Lustre’ album front to rear. Give it 10 minutes, odds are you’ll be lined up in front of me at the next show in a pink Buoys t-shirt, because like I said “we unequivocally adore the Buoys” and now you do too.
