Mountains-grown performers Cloud Control, and Julia Jacklin in support position, had already won the hearts of their fans long before showtime at last Saturday’s twilight concert at Taronga Zoo.
The space right on the harbour’s edge holds 2000 and was near-capacity and everyone arrived intent on a great night. And they weren’t disappointed.
After Body Type’s opening set and a short break former Springwood resident Julia Jacklin sang her 60-minute set and regaled harboursiders with tales of adventures at Penrith Plaza during her youth. Not lost on the Mountains contingent in the audience.
Though Jacklin started out in classical musical she found her home in folk pop and it suits her lovely voice. A lengthy period in Barcelona has also had its influence.
Could Control owned the stage right from the start of their set.
Members Alister Wright, Heidi Lenffer, Jeremy Kelshaw and Ulrich Lenffer were tight and produced some alt rock sounds which the audience lapped up. Even a couple false starts due to amp problems settled down into just being part of a live show.
Heidi’s chat between sets linked the show smoothly.
Everyone responded enthusiastically to the performers, the moshpit was alive and kicking right throughout Cloud Control’s set and the crowd was reluctant to leave at the end.
The venue itself is one of the most delightful pieces of harbourside real estate and is available to all to enjoy.
Unlike at some other night-time outdoor entertainment venues, alcohol could not be brought in, no doubt to accord with licensing regulations. Said laws had nothing to do with prices, though, and it rankled to pay $46 for a bottle of T’Gallant Juliet Pinot Grigio which can be bought at Dan Murphy’s for $13.60.
A feature of the Twilight at Taronga ticket is the chance to see the animals first – but showtime is at 6.20pm and animal access closes at 5pm so remember to arrive earlier in the day.
Many people were heard to comment about the suitability of loud concerts so near the animals. We put it to the zoo and they responded: “The zoo closely monitors sound levels as well as adhering to strict site curfews for all amplified noise, which are included in all artist and production contracts. Noise monitoring occurs continuously throughout each concert and should any reading accidentally exceed the set level, Taronga’s event manager immediately takes action requiring the level to be immediately reduced.” [See full statement below.]
- Cloud Control next perform at Fortitude Valley, Qld (April 6) and Northcote, Vic (April 7). Details here.
- Julia Jacklin next performs at Adelaide Festival (March 11),Tucson, Arizona (May 31), Phoenix, Arizona (June 1), Los Angeles (June 2), Solana Beach, California (June 3) and San Francisco (June 5 and 6). Details here.
STATEMENT: Twilight at Taronga
We are pleased to have the opportunity to reassure you that the welfare of the remarkable animals in our care is our first consideration and this has guided all of the key decisions around Twilight at Taronga throughout the 23 years the series has been running.
Although across the history of the series no problems have been detected by Taronga’s expert Life Sciences team, in 2016 the zoo commissioned an independent environmental monitoring agency to assess any sound impacts from concerts or other events held at Taronga.
The review tested and monitored variables including the location of the concerts, speaker positions, sound levels and the type of performance involved. The review contributed to the development of a guideline that further informs how all concerts and events at Taronga are managed.
The zoo closely monitors sound levels as well as adhering to strict site curfews for all amplified noise, which are included in all artist and production contracts. Noise monitoring occurs continuously throughout each concert and should any reading accidentally exceed the set level, Taronga’s Event Manager immediately takes action requiring the level to be immediately reduced.
In addition, Taronga’s Life Sciences and Behavioural Studies team undertook monitoring of animals around the entire zoo, including in the vicinity of the concert lawns, to gauge any reaction or sign of stress in response to the sound from the Twilight concerts. In this study no behaviours that may be linked to anxiety caused by concerts were identified. As standard practice, the zoo’s behavioural biologist and staff also monitor the animals during other events on Sydney’s harbour which include fireworks displays and thunderstorms.
- Taronga Conservation Society Australia, Taronga Zoo, Mosman