REVIEW | A weekend with Kip Moore at CMC Rocks Queensland
The CMC Rocks Queensland festival is certainly a sight to behold — from sequins and tassels to cowhide and Akubras. We review the weekend’s events and take in all the sights and sounds.
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Despite the stifling heat and humidity of the weekend so far, country-music fans returned in full force to Willowbank Raceway for day two of CMC Rocks Queensland Saturday.
While crowds on day one of the festival packed in from 9.30am, Saturday’s crowd ambled in a little later, with many taking advantage of small inflatable pools set up across the three CMC campgrounds, as well as off-site.
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By mid afternoon, the grounds were packed full of boot-scootin’, tassel-adorned, shoey-drinking punters.
Headline act for Saturday night, American country music superstar Kip Moore, wowed crowds with several fan-favourites, including Beer Money, Plead the Fift’ and Red White Blue Jean American Dream to start.
Changing up some lyrics in homage to the land down under, festival goers delighted in his tastefully chosen changes of pace.
An unexpectedly heartfelt moment occurred when he addressed the audience between songs, and spoke of his disappointment in cancelling his last expected show here.
“We were supposed to come in here in 2020,” he said.
“I was getting on the plane when my manager called and said ‘don’t get on that plane, they are closing the border’.”
“It was the single most disappointing moment in my career, because I love coming here.”
Mr Moore had some adjusting to the Australian heat to do, dressed in a simple singlet and vest with sweat poring off him — and like many artist before him, performed a ‘shoey’ on stage and was met with raucous support from the crowd.
A surprise awaited the audience with a rendition of The Angels’ classic Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again, appropriately leaving space for the crowd to respond with the quintessential substitute lines lines (which need no introduction) — truly cementing Moore as an Aussie fave.
The crowd, tens of thousands strong, went from getting down in their seats or wherever they stood, to slowly swaying, holding up torch lights and romantic moments were aplenty.
Kip Moore first played CMC in 2015, where he opened performances and he says that sparked a love for the country.
“The whole crowd just lit up … I said, Whatever we do, we have to come back and play for these guys every year possible. They f — king get it.”
He celebrated his keyboardist, Will, who was visiting Australia for the first time, and gave him space to perform and epic solo piece at the end of Heart’s Desire.
Building fans up towards the end, hoping to leave them with an incredible high, he performed and incredible but intense instrumental finish to Come and Get It, leaving hearts (and heads) pounding, leaving the audience well-sated.
He said his farewells to the crowd with a touching performance of Last Shot where he spoke of his future.
“You never know how long you are gonna do this, but I will always remember Australia.”
Aside from the incredible headline acts seen so far across the CMC stages, festival-goers have been treated to a massive array of local and international artists, singer/songwriters, food and drinks, retail and more.
The event didn’t go off without a hitch, with many guests slighted by the huge lines, lack of access to cold drinking water, and lack of amenities.
But for an event of this size, with thousands of volunteers and festival staff on hand to help at a moments notice, few were left unattended to.
Safety was paramount across the event, with “text for support” signage prevalent throughout the venue, and a medical tent featuring the standard fixings, alongside some ‘bougie’ offerings too.
In an attempt to perhaps offset some of the intensity of the consumption of countless $15 cocktails and $11 beers, the medical hub was offering vitamin B12 shots and IV therapy, to help rehydrate and revitalise.
Additionally, guests had access to a GP for a range of issues, including emergency contraception.
But CMC seemed to not just be for those wanting to get rowdy — the massive event holds a special place in the hearts of many, too.
One group of friends attended with a handmade printout of their mate’s face attached to a wooden stick.
“Well my mate poppy and I always come together but he’s off in the UK living his best life, and it didn’t feel right to come without him,” Jess Harris said.
For others, the event marked their little ones very first live music event, from little three-month olds carefully protected with heavy duty ear-protection to toddlers decked out in Akubras and little boots, the event certainly had its family friendly moments and spaces.
The event will continue into its third and final day today, where highly-anticipated Morgan Wallen will be taking the stage, just weeks after the release of his latest album.
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