Entering the final weeks of spring with warmth and good company, Oddshapes offered a delightful way to early welcome the summer. Oddshapes, the Chinese Music Festival and Contemporary Lifestyle, proudly presented by Lucid Live Music took place at Melbourne’s very own Birrarung Marr.
Kicking off Oddshapes Day 1 was Andr, who made her Melbourne debut. Her unique blend of alternative sounds and indie pop captivated the audience. ‘Does your boyfriend know?’ was a great way to welcome the day. With her fresh talent and engaging stage presence, she set the perfect mellow tone for the festival, showcasing a few of her hits but also performing some of her new tunes.
Melbourne had the pleasure of welcoming our very own academic singer-songwriter Tamas Wells. With his band, the acoustics and his contemporary style of music created a wonderful mood for all as we enjoyed his soothing vocals and the sunny rays. Tamas Wells truly made the event feel more family-friendly and joyful. It was heartwarming to see his friends and family in the audience too showing their love and support. The positive energy was almost contagious which had us all swaying to the uplifting vibes that radiated in the air. One of my favourite pieces he performed was ‘Valder Fields’, which evoked a sense of nostalgia in the most comforting way.
Throwing back to the 80s and 90s, 9m88 welcomed us to her unique blend of jazz, R’n’B and soul to the stage, delivering a treat for the ears. Her alluring vocals captivated the audience, and it was a thrill to see how her fluid movements and dance moves inspired the Melbourne crowd to sway along with her and the beat. 9m88 transported us to a time when music resonated with the empowering essence of jazz, and I was there for it! I found myself surprised by her performance, and admittedly ended up diving deeper into her music after experiencing her festival set. This would not had been possible if not for Oddshapes.
Yellow (黃宣) was next to excite everyone in attendance, captivating the Melbourne audience with his dynamic stage presence, and his powerful fusion of jazz and soul created a hyperactive party for the ears. Yellow (黃宣) brought his song ‘Once in a Blue Moon (獨上C樓)‘ to life, filling the atmosphere with a high energy and excitement and enticing crowd to happily sing along and dance to his tunes.
Yellow (黃宣) captivated his fans and welcomed newcomers with his energic stage performance and exceptional musical talent. His seamless blend of powerful vocals and electrifying guitar melodies, combined with his band, created an unforgettable experience. The atmosphere was alive with his energy as he engaged with the Melbourne crowd, making everyone feel connected.
A definite highlight of the day was seeing the two separate collaborations between 9m88 and Yellow (黃宣) as they performed each other’s songs, together. This unexpected twist really excited the crowd, which added a unique flair to the already special evening. The combined performances only enhanced the already hyped atmosphere, creating a memorable experience for everyone.
Growing up listening to Lala Hsu (徐佳瑩) made her my most anticipated artist of the day, as her melodies was truly euphoric and being able to finally see her perform live was a dream come true. Opening her set with the song ‘The Lost Sandbar (失落沙洲)’, this already had the crowd of devoted listeners passionately singing along to her beautifully heartbreaking lyrics. Lala Hsu’s music has always held a special place in my heart, and honestly, seeing her live in Melbourne was wonderful.
Her stage presence also provided a beautiful contrast to the earlier acts, showcasing just how diverse this festival is and how unique music can actually be. As Lala Hsu ended her set with her most famous piece ‘Riding a White Horse (身騎白馬)’, this had everyone singing along, and made for a magical moment between Lala Hsu and her fans. Her natural ability to connect with her audience, especially with such heart wrenching lyrics made her performance all the more special.
To conclude the evening, hip-hop trio MJ116 (頑童MJ116) took to the stage for one last set, making the Melbourne audience draw closer while matching the group’s upbeat tunes and mood. With their snappy lyrics and clever word play, MJ116 had everyone hyped up and fully engaged. Their lyrics even contained phrases that had me doubling back to make sure I heard them correctly! As a non-native Chinese speaker, I found this highly enjoyable and humorous. The playful use of language added a comedic flair to their performance and the trio made sure to interact with the Melbourne crowd and kept the energy high by encouraging everyone to jump and wave along to their infectious beats.
One of the most memorable moments of their set was when group member Muta remixed his solo single ‘Phat Life (過得爽爽)’ and had patrons effortless belt out the correct change in lyrics back. It was a comical and lively moment that truly highlighted the connection between the music trio and their fans.
Along with the fantastic vibe and atmosphere created by the Oddshapes Day 1 line-up, attendees had the chance to purchase merchandise to remember the day and plenty of drink options were available to keep everyone hydrated. It was also great to see the artists reminding everyone to stay hydrated because the weather was absolutely stunning for Oddshapes on Saturday October 26th.
It felt wonderfully homey yet vibrant to see friends and families bringing their own refreshments, adding to the picnic-like atmosphere but still taking the time to sing and dance when they wanted to. However, for those who hadn’t packed their own snacks, they had to venture outside the music venue to find a bite to eat, as the food hall was over the bridge at Birrarung Marr. With numerous food options available but long lines, grabbing a quick snack felt like a bit of a workout and adventure before rushing back in time to catch the next performance.
Oddshapes’ Day 1 was an experience not to be missed! With its fantastic blend of music, vibrant atmosphere, and unique vibe, there was something for everyone to enjoy for couples, friends and family! Day 1 of this new Asian music festival marked a wonderful beginning for what we hope will be many more hosted by Lucid Live Music. Day 1 of this event alone was one that allowed everyone to explore music through the generations and I could not wait to experience Day 2.
Proudly presented by LUCID Live Music, Oddshapes Music Festival was performed on Saturday the 26th and Sunday 27th of October at Birrarung Marr in Melbourne.
For more information, visit:
https://lucidlivemusic.com/oddshapes
Photography supplied by Lucid Live Music.
One thought on “Oddshapes Music Festival: Day 1, Birrarung Marr, Melbourne, October 26th 2024 – Live Review”