Monday, November 28, 2011

2011 ARIAs

2011 Australian Recording Industry Awards - November 27th 2011
Performances from: Gotye featuring Kimbra, Boy and Bear, The Living End, Guy Sebastian, Delta Goodrem, Gurrumul featuring Missy Higgins, Art vs Science, Drapht, and Cut Copy.

I watch these awards every year they are on, but on the TV. However this year I was lucky enough to be attending these awards and part of the red carpet. 
Although previously assumed this event was telecast live on TV, it occurred to me that in fact, it is not live. It was an extremely long night to be attending, beginning at around 5.00pm, and not finishing until 9.30pm. It felt like with all the set changes and disorganisation that this event dragged on for quiet some time.
Going to this event, I went in with high expectation as it was the 25th anniversary awards and also previous years had been amazing.

Gotye featuring Kimbra
WOW!! I had wanted to see this pair perform their amazing song so badly. When they finally performed, I was so excited! This was easily the best performance of the night, and also the one that the audience really got into the most. It was lively and great to see live! The vocals this pair share are incredible, both so strong with being in tune all the time (which is rare these days with live music). The band was great also.

Boy and Bear
These guys cleaned up at the awards! Having never heard any of their music before, I wasn't sure what to expect. However I was captivated by their performance and couldn't lose concentration, from their set to their music. These guys have an incredible and unique sound which is what the music industry needs around, everything is beginning to sound the same. This band has definitely gained a new fan and I look forward to hearing more of their music in the future!!

The Living End
This band is great live! They have been in the scene for many years now, and their sound just keeps getting better. Their stage presence is amazing, with the way the don't just stand there and perform, they are able to be on the stage and entertain the audience and keep their attention throughout!

Guy Sebastian
I love seeing Guy perform live, seeing him once before, I knew he was going to be great. He performed a medley of two of his latest songs. He is able to sing live and be entertaining. The best part of his performance was when he crowd surfed from one stage to the next - as if it had all been completely rehearsed. It was a great performance!

Delta Goodrem
Delta performed a ballad. It was so raw, with just her vocals and the piano. Delta has an amazing voice, it's so strong. I had never seen her live, however I would definitely be going to see her again if she ever tours - her voice is one of the best I have heard.

Gurrumul featuring Missy Higgins
Gurrumul is a blind indigenous singer. Having seen him perform previously on TV, I knew he was going to be great. And then following adding to his amazing vocals were Missy Higgins, she has an amazing voice! These two were a great combination to perform!
Art vs Science
This band are incredible to see live! Their vocal ability is so strong, and definitely worth the performance. They were definitely a great choice to perform at the awards show.
Drapht
This band opened the awards show, and are an interesting performance. I think they were a great choice to open the awards, as the audience was straight into the show and able to leave their attention with them, without losing it.

Cut Copy
This band played with a choir group providing back up vocals. Which provided an amazing back-drop to their songs. This performance was very well done, and the choir added to the impact of it. The choir had a great sound and matched well with the vocals!!
The 2011 ARIAs were a great combination of different performances. I really enjoyed that there was so many great Australian bands performing at it and the right musicians getting inducted into the Hall of Fame (The Wiggles and Kylie Minogue).
Overall, I rate this awards ceremony a four and a half stars out of five - definitely one I would go to again.


Peace
ConcertGoer93 x

@concertgoer93