Southport Sharks praised for first outdoor gig, Under the Southern Stars returns to Gold Coast

Six acts, 3000 fans, two fights and one tribute to a legendary drummer - stage rock has returned to the Gold Coast.SEE THE PICTURES

Six acts, 3000 fans, two fights and one tribute to a legendary drummer - stage rock has returned to the Gold Coast.

The Under the Southern Stars concert at Southport Sharks on Saturday wasn’t without drama with two fights – including a man decking a female concert-goer. And Bush frontman Gavin Rossdale paid tribute to Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins whose death sent a shockwave through the music industry just hours earlier while on tour in Columbia.

Southport Sharks CEO Officer Dean Bowtell said he received high praise for the site’s first gig in their outdoor amphitheatre.

“The feedback has been extraordinary and the event was better than what we anticipated,” he said.

Under the Southern Stars event on the Gold Coast. Photo: Andrew Treadwell

“This was the first opportunity to test the venue and determine whether or not it is suitable for events and last night showed we feel comfortable we will be hosting more in the future,” he said.

They would revise how the events went, operationally, within the week, he said.

“It has been an extremely difficult time for the music industry and the city should be thankful for (promoter) Andrew McManus and his team at Under The Southern Stars for their commitment in delivering our first outdoor festival with international acts,” Mr Bowtell said.

In the night’s first fight, Stone Temple Pilots singer Jeff Gutt cried out “stop” mid-song when he noticed a punch up, prompting his band to immediate halt play.

He then yelled at people fighting in front of the stage, saying “stop fighting … there’s enough hate in this f--king world - we need security over here, we got a couple of idiots, don’t know how to have a good time”.

The Stone Temple Pilots performed at Under The Southern Stars. Picture: Supplied

It was quickly sorted by security and the band picked up where they left off, belting out a blistering set including Plush, Core, Thank You and Big Bang Baby.

The alternative rockers followed Electric Mary, Angry Anderson’s Rose Tattoo, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and Cheap Trick.

When final band Bush took to the stage, with not a drop of rain falling despite being forecast, a decent crowd of 3000 had packed into the grassed Southport Sharks outdoor venue.

It worked well with a three-tiered embankment, being tested by the venue for boutique concerts.

In pictures: Under The Southern Stars 2022

Midway through the Bush set, an ugly fracas broke out with a woman lashing out at concertgoers around her before a man punched her in the head, dropping her to the ground.

A melee ensued as concerned concert goers tended to the woman before onsite paramedics and police arrived. Unlike Stone Temple Pilots frontman Gutt who stopped playing to sort out the fight he saw, Bush frontman Gavin Rossdale seemed oblivious to what had happened and kept playing.

A Queensland Police spokesperson said no charges were laid during the concert and police were unaware of any assaults.

Debi Graham wrote on the Bulletin Facebook: “Much respect for Stone Temple Pilots singer Jeff Gutt who stopped his performance and got security on to it. Apart from that it was an amazing afternoon/evening of awesome music.”

TRIBUTE TO TAYLOR HAWKINS

British rockers Bush’s frontman Gavin Rossdale has paid tribute in the midst of their Gold Coast set to Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins as a “beautiful spirit”.

Rossdale, headlining at Under The Southern Stars at Southport Sharks on Saturday, dedicated the band’s popular track Glycerine to Hawkins, a dad of three.

The musician, aged 50, died on Friday during the Foo Fighters South American tour.

“I’ve been thinking of him a lot while we play tonight,” Rossdale said.

Bush frontman Gavin Rossdale at Southport Sharks.

“The last time I saw him was at someone’s birthday party. He had a new record out and he was doing his solo thing. He was super pumped about it and kept talking about it.

“He’s sweet, super good and a really good writer.

“I never forgot what a beautiful spirit he has been for at least 20 years of my life.

“He always changed stuff. Even more, since the Foos began.

“That’s the community for us and we see them all in LA. Everyone is suffering. The whole community, all the musicians I’ve spoken to.

“So I want to dedicate this song to Taylor.

In this file photo taken on November 18, 2021, are Taylor Hawkins, Dave Grohl and Nate Mendel of US rock band the Foo Fighters at the The Museum Gala at the American Museum of Natural History on November 18, 2021 in New York City. Photo: KENA BETANCUR / AFP

“That’s the worst thing about living. My beautiful girlfriend I had a really long time ago, her dad just died. It happens all the time.

“It is really nice to honour people, so thank you so much for being here. I had to say something. I was thinking about it all night, don’t think I wasn’t thinking about it.

“How do you deal with it, how do you do it? This is the best I could do.”

A Colombia’s Prosecutor’s Office statement said toxicological tests on urine from Hawkins’ body preliminarily found 10 psychoactive substances and medicines, including marijuana, opioids, tricyclic antidepressants and benzodiazepines. It did not provide a cause of death and investigations are continuing.

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