I don’t know how the hell so many people could fit in such a small space. Cups were full. Amps were on. All systems go. It was set to be an awesome gig.

Regrettably, I missed Ash Grunwald’s set as the time slot of this gig was more family-friendly than anything starting at 5:45. From seeing Grunwald play a bazillion times, I know that it would have been intense and that his drivey fuzz would have held no prisoners within this epic stage.

Tegan and Sara were welcomed by the deafening screams of a few hundred who had crowded the concreted area down the very front and the eight thousand something on the hills. They were infectious. Being the first time seeing these two identical twins from Vancouver, I surely hope it’s not the last. Classics like "Back In Your Head", "Walking With A Ghost" and "Hell" were definitely highlights of the night.

Their sense of humour was something that you couldn’t ignore either, somewhat forcing a smile out of even the bleakest soul before breaking out in equally smile evoking tunes. A kookaburra made a guest appearance by sitting on the top balustrade of the stage and somehow finding a microphone to put that Aussie touch to the show.

The crowd was awesome, except for the exhibitionists letting their love for the music take them too far next to me by showing the most intense show of public affection I have ever seen. Tegan and Sara. Come back again.

The moment had come. It was finally dark and the hills were crammed. Jack Johnson was set to walk on at any moment. The build up was too intense for some as they started chanting quite angrily “Jack, Jack, Jack.” Then, as no one expected, Johnson and band walked out so humbly and casual that you would be forgiven to think that they were walking into their own backyard. They all just had casual jeans and shirts on, ready for a fun two hour jam.

And that they did.

The next two hours were filled with shameless fun on the band’s part and laid back vibes floating through the crowds. Opening the show with classics "Taylor" and "Sitting Waiting Wishing", the crowd were all united as one voice. The whole gig played out like a greatest hits live concert where every song was a classic.

Whilst Johnson played "Rodeo Clowns", Ash Grunwald was invited on stage to add his distinct slide fuzz to back the main melody with a jaw dropping solo during the bridge. Aussies are the best!

In an involving mood once more, Jack Johnson invited the pocket-sized identical Canadians Tegan and Sara back on stage to play a rendition of "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun". This was absolutely hilarious with the boys, Jack Johnson and Zach Gill, singing the part “girls, wanna have fun, girls.” This had the whole crowd in hysterics.

The encore was by far the best part of the show with Jack coming back on after an intense five minute wait to play another half an hour of songs/speak. This started off with the much awaited song "Do You Remember" where Johnson changed the lyrics to suit his current standings with his wife. A bit of comedy was added into this solo encore performance with Johnson telling a story through song of his wife dropping her phone in the toilet and it ironically saying “Goodbye” on the screen. The funniest though was Johnson’s rendition of "Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer" where he quite appropriately added in a last verse so that the reindeers in the song could apologise for being so mean to Rudolph in the first place.

Everyone was then welcomed back on stage for the long awaited "Better Together" for a grand finale, and what a wait it was. The whole crowd which filled all of Riverstage were singing all together as one as Ash Grunwald and Tegan and Sara and band let their creative juices all channel into this one song.
Standing ovation guys. Top shelf stuff.

SET LIST
Taylor
Sitting Waiting Wishing
You And Your Heart

If I Had Eyes
Never Know

Flake
Go on
Upside down
Horizon/Bad Fish/Boss DJ/Brushfire Fairytales
Red Wine,Mistakes, Mythology
Rodeo Clowns w/ Ash Grunwald

Better Hope You’re Not Alone
From The Clouds
Bubbly Toes
Wasting Time
Girls Just Wanna Have Fun w/ Tegan and Sara

Banana Pancakes
Same Girl
Girl,
I Wanna Lay You Down sung by Zach Gill
Breakdown
Mud Football
Good People
At Or With Me

ENCORE
Do You Remember (solo)
Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer (solo)
Angel
(solo)
The Phone In The Toilet Song 
(solo)
Better Together w/ Ash Grunwald and Tegan and Sara + band