THIS THAT with Pacific Avenue
THIS THAT Sandstone Point happening on Saturday the 5th of March and THIS THAT Newcastle, on Saturday the 12th of March are 100% approved to go ahead and we don’t know who’s more excited, the punters or the artists themselves. Returning to Newcastle for its sixth year and to Queensland for the first time, THIS THAT has stayed true to its roots, delivering the best in party starter acts, epic headliners and that classic festival vibe we have all missed so much. With two stages full of the best Electronica , Hip Hop , Pop and Rock, in the country as well as ‘The Other District’, everyone is covered. Four piece garage rock band, Pacific Avenue are set to hit the THIS stage at both shows and their so glad to be back performing to live audiences especially in the festival environment they love so much. We chucked some questions at Pacific Avenue about THIS THAT, the preparation needed for a festival like THIS THAT and who they would like to Colab with from the awesome lineup.
You have been announced as one of the band's to perform at THIS THAT, happening in Newcastle and Sandstone Point this March. Are you excited to be a part of this great Australian lineup?
So very pumped to be a part of the festival! After having pretty much no festivals for the last 2 years, we are so excited to be playing on a big stage, with other bands we love, in front of a solid audience. Could not come any sooner!
Is the preparation for an event like THIS THAT different to a regular show?
We definitely modify our set when playing festivals so that we deliver the most punch we can throughout our slot. We definitely try to add something a little bit more special for festivals as we love them so much.
What can we expect from your upcoming THIS THAT performances?
A bit of a rollercoaster of emotions with lots of high energy, but also having the ballad sing alongs in the midst. May even chuck in a sneaky cover to keep the energy high.
Apart from your own, who's set are you most looking forward to seeing played at THIS THAT?
Definitely Spacey Jane, Budjerah and Waax, they go off!
“A Spacey Jane colab would be so much fun”
If you could collaborate with any artist from the THIS THAT line-up, who would it be and why?
A Spacey Jane colab would be so much fun. We love those guys and we also feel our music could blend together well. Would be one hell of a party.
What are the best and worst parts of being on a multi artist bill? Do egos ever get in the way?
No I don’t think egos ever get in the way, it's actually quite the opposite. I feel at festivals the general vibe is all bands supporting each other and amping each other up to have one big old party. Always so much fun too, mingling backstage with other artists and getting pumped up.
Do you enjoy playing festivals and being a part of that festival scene, and the atmosphere that comes along with it?
Most definitely, the atmosphere at a festival is always electric. There is always such a vast mix of people there with different music tastes, but they all seem to come together to have fun and enjoy the music. Festivals are most definitely our funniest shows to play
“Festivals are the best way to get your music to a wider audience”
Do you find festivals present your music to new fans or people who haven’t heard you before?
For sure. Festivals are the best way to get your music to a wider audience who may be there to see another act, but still stroll into your show and have some fun. It’s great playing festivals with bigger artists as often their fans can become yours which is a very special thing.
What is your favourite song to perform from your back catalogue and why?
I think my favourite would be ‘Someday Soon’ from our debut EP ‘Strawberry Skies’. This song is a bit of a slower singalong but always hits us a bit emotionally and we often feel a buzz on stage between the band.
Small intimate pub style gigs and big stadium events are obviously very different in the energy and audiences, which is easier to engage in with great crowd participation? Which do you prefer? Clubs or Stadiums?
Well we have never really played in a stadium, but there definitely can be a different energy between bigger and smaller venues. It all depends on the night but some of our best shows have been in tight little places with a crowd going nuts. Something about playing on a bigger stage though with a big audience is super electric.
“We definitely try to add something a little bit more special for festivals as we love them so much.”
2020/21 were years full of uncertainty and change, and for some the year's came as a blessing, for some a curse. How do you rate your Covid years?
They were definitely tough with touring and not having that aspect which we love so much, but also we took the time to try and build our following on socials which has certainly helped our growth. It has been so hard to see bands split up and suffer mentally, but seeing light at the end of the tunnel gives us much hope and the lockdown has made us even more keen to get out there and do our thing.
Are you glad to be getting back to performing in front of a real crowd?
SO SO SO glad! Nothing beats the feeling of playing to a crowd and feeling that energy coming back. Best feeling in the world.
What's next for Pacific Avenue? What can fans look forward to in 2022 and beyond?
Lots of new music this year! Going to be releasing stuff like crazy so keep an eye and ear out. Lots of touring too and possibly even some international shows.
THIS THAT Sandstone Point Qld - 05/03/22
THIS THAT Newcastle , N.S.W - 12/03/22
Interview by Michelle Symes
February 2022