With great anticipation, I rocked to the Bendigo Hotel in Collingwood to photograph the legendary SouthEast Desert Metal on Thursday night. Lochlan Watt (Triple J’s The Racket) quickly set up an impromptu gig for Melbourne fans eager to fill their boots as the boys hailed from Santa Teresa in Australia’s Red Centre who were due to open proceedings for Ghost the night before. Due to technical issues SEDM, we’re unable to perform.
Opening the night was RUN with Lochlan himself on vocals, and we weren’t disappointed, A strong and powerful performance, had us all captivated from the onset. Followed by PRIMATIVE. A stellar set with some thundering drumming, frontman Tim Gauci jumping into the crowd, guitar in hand ripping away, was a spectacle.
I’ve been fortunate to have photographed and socialised with SEDM over many years, From humble beginnings and several lineup changes, playing in the community and around Alice Springs, I’ve photographed them many times and watched them evolve into a tight, stable four-piece that could easily headline in their own right with catchy tunes, wicked riffs and vocals that genuinely illustrate their connection to land and country.
Their set didn’t disappoint. With classic songs, Eagle, Disturb The Spirits and 2018’s Rainmaker filled the room with an awesome vibe and was great to hear old tunes and, of course, their classic anthem, Desert Metal.
Gavin Hayes on lead guitar literally glides his fingers effortlessly on the fretboard, and the aura vocalist Chris Wallace presented captivated us all.
Outback Bob Photography captured the night.
