Gig Watch: Daddy Cool - Port Melbourne Beach Music Festival

By Chris Jones

There seems to be a festival for everything these days. From attempting to Make Poverty History, or simply supporting Australian bands at Homebake - there isn't much ground left to cover. And we certainly shouldn't complain, because the more chances you have to see a live band (of what ever genre) the better.

The latest venture into a musical festival launched last Sunday with the first Annual Port Melbourne Beach Music Festival. Sure, there were no big name acts, there were no ridiculous sized carnival rides - heck, even the food stand consisted of only noodles and dim sims - but it was easily the most relaxing Sunday afternoons I've had in a long time.

Set on the shores of Port Melbourne beach, this fantastic day organised by the council was Aussie culture at it's best. Much like the ever popular Day On The Green festivals, the PMBMF was the perfect place to sit down with a rug, bring the kids along and have a relaxing chardy on the beach with some nice tunes and a stunning sunny backdrop.

The Josh Owen Band did their thing, the small yet fun loving crowd seemed to enjoy. However, the big draw card of the day was former Daddy Cool lead man Ross Wilson & The Urban Legends.

With a crowd made up of predominately 30-40 somethings and families, the boppy retro tunes were perfect as the sun began to set. There was some new stuff, there was some old stuff - and most importantly - there was Eagle Rock.

The day finished off  perfectly with the Latino sounds of Bomba, and there were more than a few weary heads that were able to catch fourty winks during one of the most relaxing and picturesque sets of the say.

A fine festival which I hope continues, and as Ross Wilson mentioned "Just remember in a few years time, when the crowds stretch all the way back to the docks, that you were here when it all began, you were part of something special".

We certainly were.

Overall: 75%

Bomba closed the night with some relaxing reggae	Josh Owen Band kicked the day off