Entertainment

Review: Full Tilt Janis and The Woodstock Revolution At The Gov

By Darren Hassan

Posted on June 20, 2017

Sunday 18th of June saw The Governor Hindmarsh transformed into a psychedelic groove-fest as Australia’s answer to Janis Joplin graces the stage with a full tilt band of extra-ordinary talent.

Sunday 18^{th of June}saw The Governor Hindmarsh transformed into a psychedelic groove-fest as Australia’s answer to Janis Joplin graces the stage with a full tilt band of extra-ordinary talent.

Take a step back to the year 1969, to a small town called Bethel on the outskirts of New York City, in the green pastures of a dairy farm. There, the world’s greatest, most iconic music festival was held. A Euphoric festival of peace, love and music, Woodstock showcased some of the biggest bands of that era, some of which still tour today! Now, if you’re like me and weren’t lucky enough to have experienced that magical time – due to not being born, or you just simply missed it, fear NOT! The Woodstock Revolution takes you back, or in my case, give you a generous taste of what Woodstock would have been like – but with better sound quality!

Opening their set with Cream’s ‘I Feel Free’, the boys know how to set the mood. With a set list comprising of Credence Clearwater Revival (CCR), Joe Cocker, Jimi Hendrix, The Doors and, a personal favourite of mine – Canned Heat, The Woodstock Revolution had the audience full of peace and love. Gazing at the stage through the haze of incense, the tie dyed clad six piece band were polished, with not a foot wrong. Showcasing their profound musical capabilities with mind bending guitar solos, mesmerizing keys, and brass that will knock your socks off, The Woodstock Revolution are a band of extreme entertainment. Vocalist Mac Johnson will get your ‘mojo rising’ with his sublime vocal range. To deliver on the iconic sounds of Jim Morrison, John Fogerty and Joe Cocker is no easy feat. Johnson’s vocal not only delivers, but does justice to each and every song. An incredible front man!

Moving along to Full Tilt Janis, Melissa Jubb takes to the stage and opens with ‘Move Over’ adding groove and funk to the already established peace and love vibes. Performing flawless versions of Joplin’s classics, ‘Try (Just A Little Bit Harder)’, ‘Kozmic Blues’, ‘Ball And Chain’, ‘Me And Bobby McGee’, Jubb’s tribute to Joplin doesn’t stop at just her vocals. Jubb encompasses who Joplin was in every essence. She moves like her, talks like her- she even LOOKS like her!! If you didn’t know any better, you’d swear you were looking right at the famous Joplin! Right down to swigging out of a bottle of Southern Comfort on stage. With her manager warning her he was “counting sips” Jubb playfully disregards his comment and continued to take a little piece of the hearts of her audience. Watching Jubb pour her everything into every note, every word she sang was with all the longing, heartbreak, and love that Joplin had. It was awe-inspiring and moving. Taking a seat on the edge of the stage, her acapella version of ‘Mercedes Benz’ was intimate and captivated her audience.

In summation, if you’re looking for a show that takes you back to this Golden Age of music, or if you’re simply looking to get an experience of what this bygone era was like, look no further than Full Tilt Janis and The Woodstock Revolution! Huge thumbs up!!

By Kathryn Yeend