Alongside big sets from major Australian and international acts, Party in the Paddock was a showcase of great Tasmanian music.
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It was the fourth time playing the festival for indie-rock four-piece The Saxons.
However, it was the first year the band had been asked to play the Paddock Stage.
They said it was the biggest show they had ever played.
“I was super nervous. I don’t know about the other boys, but I was probably the most nervous I’ve been,” rhythm guitarist and singer Nick Bennett said.
“It was just such a big occasion.”
“Definitely the biggest stage we’ve played on, so high expectations,” bassist Tom Youd said.
Guitarist Brad Martin said Party in the Paddock was the best festival the band had played.
“It’s in it’s perfect stage where it’s not too big, it’s not too small, it’s going really well,” Youd said.
The band was excited to release some new music in 2019, and to undertake a mainland tour.
“That’s next on the agenda,” Bennett said.
For Launceston punk-rock band The Sleepyheads, it was the second year of playing Party in the Paddock.
Guitarist and singer Pat Broxton said the last time the band played was on the Paddock Stage, early in the afternoon on day one.
However, this year the band had a 6.20pm slot on the Vibestown Stage on day two.
Broxton said it could get nerve-wracking playing bigger shows.
“Especially when it’s a festival situation and you don’t get sound check and stuff,” he said.
Before a show, the band relaxes and has a few beers.
Prior to their Party in the Paddock set, however, they also got stuck into their rider, which consisted of Dunkaroos, Doritos, Scotch Fingers, and mini Nutella tubs.
“Basically we wrote it as a joke, and sometimes people fill it and it’s really funny,” Broxton said.
The band’s set consisted of most of their released material, alongside a new song set to be released on Friday, February 15.
“It’s basically about touring, because we’ve been lucky enough to do that a few times now. It’s kind of crept into what I write about,” Broxton said.
The band will open for DZ Deathrays when they tour Tasmania in April.
- Party in the Paddock ran from February 7 to 9 at White Hills.