Review By Michael Francis Antonas

The Bakery – a venue readily known to cook its occupants in the midst of music and rubbing bodies forcing sweat, played host Thursday night to a different kind of evening. ‘Fringefull of Folkin’ Country’ was an all out (as the name suggests) country and western affair. The cool soothing breeze along with the dark midnight sky provided the ultimate backdrop in which to have a hoedown. Inside ‘the oven’ was decked out with an intimate setting complete with tables & chairs, candles and lantern-esque lighting drooping from the ceiling, along with plenty of cowboy hats and merry people to boot.

JUSTIN WALSHE played without his magic band and kicked it off with his own brand of Australian country folk. Blending into the background nicely he added a calm ambience to the air, amongst all the chatting folk who were settling into the evening with ease. His acoustic guitar along with his powerful quintessential Australian voice reverberated subtly throughout the whole room. His tone took you down to the lake, where you could be caught lazing around, getting some fly fishing action, on whilst he strummed away. Relaxing and peaceful, I reckon he could the aggression out of even the drunkest of folk and turn it into a get to know you session.

As the night would be all about the ‘Western’ side of things, SIMONE AND GIRLFUNKLE took to a different approach. Playing dreamy 60s folky-pop, their melodic sounds were simply beautiful and charming. Bridget Turner and Gabby Lammers started it off as a duo, playing two songs together, serenading the crowd with captivating harmonies and chilled guitar work – all very elegant and innocent. As the rest of the band made their way to the stage, they all contributed very delicate and melodic folk twinkles that added an almost nostalgic quality and was delectably delightful to gaze at. Whether you are a fan or not of wispy poppy folk, Simone & Girlfunkle yield a quirky yet interesting sound. They are the perfect way to spend a breezy evening or a lazy afternoon, loosening up and unbuttoning to some insatiable soothing sounds. Sounds that will no doubt put any hangover or heat related fury to rest.

The boot-scootin’ fun begun with SMOKEY JOE. The quartet blasted onto the stage suited up in cowboy hats, all that was missing were the boots, with the spurs. They got people up and moving around with a bit of heel ‘n’ toe action, their stereotypical country sound was hard to miss. Echoing the influences of Woody Guthrie to Vandt to Parsons, they had a mix of it all. Mandolin and the lap steel guitar were present and added suitably to the toe tappin’, creating a ranch and barn feel minus the hay. The spoons came out and you knew these guys meant business, playing a song entitled ‘Devils play thing’.

It was only fair that THE SEALS were left to seal the deal for ‘A Fringe Full Of Country’. They were quite similar to the previous act however let’s face it, it was inevitable that this would be the case on this particular evening. Thick heavy bass lines along with mandolin and adding in some banjo, they tested people’s hillbilly hoedown ability. They were far more polished and added all the country instrumentation under the sun. Covering an MGMT song and flipping it on its head, they made it something memorable.

A zany night full of dancing and laughter, a transformed Bakery into a barnyard dancehall – the Fringe festival once again provided something different for the masses. Bring on the next one.