Rock of All Ages at Basin Concert
Brief article of one the last Tassie gig in 1998.
Author: Megan Doherty, The Examiner.
Date: 23 February 1998.
Original URL: N/A.
There was Country Road next to tie-dye, baseball hats alongside body piercings, dad’s with kids in their arms swaying next to teenagers as the Basin Concert cut across generations yesterday.
The presence of perennial rockers Hunters & Collectors seemed to add another dimension to the 29th concert that yesterday attracted 4000 people.
The crowd was still mainly young – Hunters & Collectors lead singer Mark Seymour at one stage introduced “a song older than most of you people” – but the concert also had many fans on the wrong side of 25 who wanted to say goodbye to the much loved band at its final performance in Tasmania on the farewell national tour.
After the concert Hunters & Collectors drummer Doug Falconer praised the event and the Gorge setting, saying “fight to keep this because it’s reasonably unique and probably the best venue (of its kind) in the country”
There was the usual frivolity of an outdoor concert.
Andrew Cox of The Fauves, stripped down to his boxer shorts and dived into the swimming pool, followed by a legion of hardy fans.
“It was fairly icy but once I was towelled down I felt quite refreshed and invigorated,” said Cox.
Basin Concert committee chairman Chris Veevers said that 3000 people attended the concert on Saturday and 4000 attended yesterday.
He said a big celebration was planned for the 30th concert next year.
“We’re going to sit down and assess what we’re doing. The (crowd) support’s been good but hasn’t been overwhelming,” he said.
Mr.Veevers said that it cost $150,000 to stage the concert through ticket sales, sponsorship and in-kind support.
“We don’t have to make a profit because it’s a non-profit event. We get great support from our sponsors who are very committed to the event but we would like to encourage more of the community into the decision making so that we get the right mix,” he said.
But the final word should go to the fans including Ingrid Reynolds, 15, of Summer Hill.
The atmosphere was the best. Everyone was amped and really happy,” she said.
Thankyou to Stephen for typing up this article for us to enjoy.
