The air at last night’s On the Banks concert felt less like a standard festival and more like a high-end family reunion. From the first notes at 3 pm to the final rapturous applause, the event was a seamless celebration of storytelling, polished musicianship, and the deep-rooted connections that define the Australian music scene.
The Early Magic: Mooney and the Cassar-Daleys
The afternoon kicked off with Georgia Mooney, whose bubbly stage presence acted as the perfect icebreaker. A founding member of the ARIA-winning trio All Our Exes Live in Texas, Mooney has carved out a solo niche that blends intricate folk with a touch of the ethereal. She accompanied her melodic set with a dulcitone—a rare, 19th-century keyboard instrument that uses hammers to strike steel tuning forks. Its bell-like chime provided a crystalline backdrop to her “folksy” set.
Following Mooney, the stage transitioned to a poignant display of lineage with Troy and Jem Cassar-Daley. Troy, a titan of Australian country with 40 Golden Guitars to his name, took a literal backseat at times to let Jem shine. The duo powered through a balanced set of the elder Cassar-Daley’s classics alongside Jem’s soulful originals, such as “King of Broken Hearts”. It was a proud father-daughter moment that proved to be a pure delight for the early-bird crowd.
Polished Indies and the Power of Kasey Chambers
Melbourne’s own The Paper Kites raised the energy with their signature indie-folk rock. Having built a massive international following on the back of their breakthrough hit “Bloom”, the band displayed immense technical polish. Their set leant into the lush, cinematic arrangements of their recent work, proving exactly why their songwriting craftsmanship remains a benchmark for the genre.
After a brisk changeover, a familiar figure appeared: Kasey Chambers. True to her hands-on reputation, Chambers was seen prepping the stage herself before launching into a set that was equal parts grit and grace. Having spent her childhood touring the Outback with the Dead Ringer Band, Chambers brought that same raw, authentic spirit to the stage.
The chemistry was undeniable as Chambers teased her father, Bill Chambers, about his “unpaid” status and shared a mesmerising duet with her husband, Brandon “Dingo” Dodd. Whether she was belting out classics or sharing quiet, heartfelt moments, Chambers’ professionalism and maturity as an artist were the heartbeat of the evening.
The Grand Finale: Bernard Fanning’s Tea & Sympathy
The night belonged, however, to Bernard Fanning. Entering to a roar of approval, Fanning delivered a flawless performance, centred on the 20th anniversary edition of his seminal solo debut, Tea & Sympathy. Having fronted Powderfinger for two decades before his solo ascent, Fanning remains the gold standard of Australian rock vocalists.
Fanning moved through the track list with ease, including the “lost” original track, “Reckless”, which was recently unearthed for the anniversary release. The set reached a fever pitch when Fanning invited all the day’s performers back to the stage for a communal jam, turning the concert into a true folk-rock gala. He closed the night with the inevitable “Wish You Well”, a song that has become a permanent fixture of the Australian songbook.
The Verdict
The organisers of On the Banks deserve a standing ovation. The sound was impeccable, the transitions were tight, and the atmosphere remained electric throughout. It was a flawless showcase of what happens when world-class talent meets expert execution.
