The first Narara Music Festival was held over the Australia Day long weekend in 1983 on the Central Coast of NSW. It wasn’t actually held at Narara but at nearby Somersby.
The concert featured an all-Australian all-star lineup as follows
Friday
- Zoo
- Choirboys
- Jon English
- Divinyls
- Moving Pictures
- Australian Crawl
Saturday
- Zarsoff Bros
- Goldrush
- Mark Gillespie
- Dynamic Hepnotics
- Mental As Anything
- Radiators
- The Church
- INXS
- The Angels
- Men At Work
Sunday
- Mighty Guys
- Uncanny X-Men
- Allniters
- Jo Jo Zep
- Dragon
- Mi-Sex
- Goanna
- Richard Clapton
- Cold Chisel
- Rose Tattoo
Monday
- Rupert B
- Bulamakanka
- No Fixed Address
- Bushwackers
Technical
- Mainstage Sound – ACT-Jands
- Lights – Jands Concert Productions
- Second Stage Sound & Lights – Soundco P/L
Crew
- Howard Page – Audio Director
- Jon Lemon – Audio Engineer
- Monitors – Kevin Farrant
- Graham Hicks – Third Man
- Jeff Merryweather – Lighting Director
Images from Narara 1983
{ 117 comments… read them below or add one }
I’m just curious as to where exactly in Narara the music festival in 1983 was held. I am currently living at Narara and it would be interesting to know. If only I’d been able to attend.
It was held at Old Sydney Town
look at the line up and i was there at 15 years of age. still loving the music and it was held across the small lake of old sydney town…rock on. ha still got the t shirt.
Hi Robyn, I’m pretty sure it was actually held on a farm at Somersby.
Thanks Mark
I’m pretty sure it was at Narara because my ex-fiancee actually attended and he grew up on the Central Coast so I’m sure he wouldn’t have said Narara if it was Somersby. So are there no records of where it was held?
Robyn
Hi Robyn, I’ve had it confirmed now from two sources that it was at Somersby. I’ve included the links to the references in the article now. One of the sites even had an image of the concert tickets (see the top of this article) which give the address as Somersby.
It’s confusing I know. Why would they call it Narara if it wasn’t there?
Thanks for reading.
It was called “Narara” because it sounded good, at tleast the promoters thought so, not the many tourists that got lost, and had to shell for a taxi to Somersby.
Rob Maynard
COAST FM 963
CENTRAL COAST
hi …
I was at Narara 83 & 84 … what an experience … I have been trying to fing information on both years and was pleased to at least find something on 83 here …. is there any information about 84 anywhere ? Trying to remember who played …. I still have my T-shirt from 83 with all bands listed on the back so that was easy …. but nothing from 84 …. I do remember though how annoyed a lot of people were with the fact that they had international artists … anyway, any info would be much appreciated …. very pleased to have found your site …
thanks
Roxanne
Hi Roxanne, nice to hear from you and glad you like the site.
I’ll do an entry soon for Narara 84. Do you reckon you could send me a picture of that Narara T-shirt you’ve got? I’d love to add it to this story. Front and back if you can manage it.
Thanks again for your comments. Hope to see you here again.
Cheers, Gibbo.
Hi Gibbo
I look forward to your 84 entry …. I am turning this house upside down to find my t-shirt …. I thought I knew where it was stored but seems I am wrong … as soon as I find it I will definitely take photos and send them to you ….
thanks
Roxanne
WHY DON’T THEY BRING IT BACK ? – IT THERE NOT ENOUGH PEOPLE ON THE CENTRAL COAST TO MAKE IT HAPPEN ? HALF THE BANDS ARE STILL TOURING !! HA HA…CHEERS
I was at 84. Sat night lineup: Sandi and the Sunsets, the Models, INXS, the Pretenders, Talking Heads, Mental as Anything. First time I saw the Hoodoo Gurus who were standouts. I bought a T shirt but lost it before I ever got to wear it. Would love to see the photos of the T shirt.
Narara was actually held at the back of Old Sydyney Town / Australian Reptile Park site at Somersby. I know this because I was part of the clean up team after.
Yeah, would really like to see the stuff for the 1984 one – images I can remember were Talking Heads doing the full routine with the fat man suit etc, and the song “change in mood” which was absoutely perfect, Def Leopard poncing around like loops and getting bombarded with water bottles, and the endless torrential rain – My tent and companions soaked to the skin, and Austen Tayshus (I think) waling around in the middle of the night shouting “Narrara – the Celebration F@#$%g continues”….
I too would love to see the line ups for 1984. I was also there in 1983 and 1984. Caught a drumstick from Martin Chambers of Pretenders which I still have. Went to a Simple Minds concert at Selina’s after Narara and was up near the front when I felt a person crawling between my legs on the ground. It was Chrissy Hynde trying to get closer to Jim Kerr. It was at Narara where they had first met. I still remember the Angels concert from 1983. There are many who say it was there best ever performance. Saw them again at Revesby Workers on Saturday night. They still have it what it takes.
INXS performing ‘Original Sin’ live at ‘Narara 84′ is included on INXS’s ‘I’m Only Looking’ 2-dvd set…also Garry Beers (bass player) talks about the year before Narara ’83…where the band went on stage to start their set with Underneath The Colours…and he was out the back on a port-a-loo…and no one noticed he was missing so they started playing without him!
Matt.
I was at both 83 and 84 Narara festivals but I also remember another one earlier either 81 or 82 called something like “Tenterden Festival”. Does anyone have any recollection of this festival?
I remember one around that time called “Tanelorn” or something similar. Does that ring a bell?
I went to that out Past Stroud..we had a truck accident with 15 or so people on the back and it closed the road right near the entrance to the concert-anyone remember that..a man and a woman helped me id like to talk to them if they are still around…
’83 I remember getting off the train and the station being packed ! and heaps of people standing around waiting, we stood a bit and saw people heading off on foot, so trekked after them.
lol no busses ever came from memory, so glad we didn’t wait too long !
Thanks so much for putting this together, I have been searching for ages to fill the gaps of who played there !
Happy to know I got some right anyway lol, must have had something to do with that silver pouch of goon in the pack lol
Was that really 25 years ago? I was only 15 at the time and can remember the chaos on the trains and stations when travelling from Newcastle to Gosford. I never made it to the festival and still feel like I just missed out on a big part of Aussie Music Festival history. I’ve made up for it since though. Just last year, Narara ’83 came up in a disussion with some other ‘old punters’ at Homebake ’07 – seems like some people who did go to Narara got ‘hooked’ there and have been ‘doing’ festivals since. I have a Narara ’83 badge and can send a photo for the site if you like.
“You’re never too old for a Music Festival. It’s just that everyone else is too young.”
Hi Steve, I’d love a picture of that badge, that would be brilliant thanks.
No problem – where should I send it?
Thanks Steve, just send it to:
admin@australianmusichistory.com
hi, was at narara 84 as a sixteen year old.Remember seeing Rodney Rude, who was an up and coming comedian! remember it rained and rained and turned into a big mud park
I have a program for 84, It is a 4 pages brochure and has all artists listed
Thanks BAYJED, would you possibly be able to scan it and send it over to me at admin@australianmusichistory.com ?
Info on the ’84 concert has been quite hard to come across and this would help enormously. I’ve been able to find a list of the overseas bands but not a full artist listing.
I hope to hear from you soon.
Thanks again, Mark
I was at both 83 & 84, I think I still have the keyring from 83. Hated the rain in 84. I am wondering if anyone remembers a guy called “Alligator”, he was from Sydney and drove a green Monaro.
NARARA 1983 Originally broadcast on Channel 10 and simulcast with 2MMM FM 105 Sydney this is a song from The Angels set “Comin Down”
I recorded this on my old VHS machine back in 1983 so the quality was not that good I have re-enhanced the video and audio and it’s scrubbed up quite good enjoy The Angels live at Narara 1983……
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFdX6OeXlzU
NARARA 1983 Originally broadcast on Channel 10 and simulcast with 2MMM FM 105 Sydney this is a song from The Angels set “Eat City”
I recorded this on my old VHS machine back in 1983 so the quality was not that good I have re-enhanced the video and audio and it’s scrubbed up quite good enjoy The Angels live at Narara 1983……
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2npOgROuIk
Hi Mark,
I have just found my badge from 84. Let me know if you are interested in it.
My t-shirts died from being worn too many times.
84 theme was “the celebration continues”
I’d love a picture of that badge Lee-Anne, that would be brilliant. You can get it to me via:
admin@australianmusichistory.com
Thanks again.
I went to the Tanelorn concert. It was held near Stroud in NSW mid north coast. I was right at the front of the stage when Rodriguez came on stage. He put his music on a stand and then knock it all over on the stage. The roadies came in and helped him clean it up and get started. He was amazing.
I was also at Narara 83 and 84. I remember Talking Heads and chisel were amazing. Barnsey drank at least a full bottle of vokda and then jumped into the crowed, worked his way to the mixing tower climbed up and the crowd went nuts. Then he made his way down and back to the stage. It was an insane weekend. I found some pics of me and our crew who worked at the the 83 festival. Great memories.
Dave
Gosh it is good to remember the Tanelorn and Narara events.
Narara was most memorable I had a Hair Cutting/ Shaves stand. Triple m were the concert organisers if my memory serves me well.Great fun & hard work! I have some pics of the weekend. My daughters wear my Tanelorn t-shirts but sadly lost the Narara t’s. My memories of Tanelorn are the all night traffic que’s and wind storms on the first day, followed by heat.. I thought it was a mini woodstock!
be well julie.
Hi Dave & Julie, thanks for your memories. I’d love a copy of any pictures you might have if that’s possible. Also, any band lists you might have as I have limited info on Narara ’84 and almost none on Tanelorn.
Thanks again for your contribution.
If you can remember Tanelorn you are doing well!
Great weekend. Specific personal memories; cars queued for hours to get in, Moving Pictures, Midnight Oil, Split Enz, Swanny, fires round the main stage bowl, bikers kegs,warm beer and a single nude madman who told us we were all about to die!
Great stuff, Rammy
Just come across these posts, I was managing a band called ‘The Curly band’ a great bunch of russian rockers, they played second stage at Narara, arrived in a stretch limo, hired a chopper, flew over the site dropping pamphlets advertising their set which blew all over Old Sydney Town, copped a huge fine but what a great memory.
Narara 84, all those years ago, i was there on duty with the local fire brigade overnight from Saturday night to Sunday morning and do remember seeing Mental as Anything before procedings ended for the night. I spent much of the night perched on top of a fire truck keeping an eye out for spotfires/large bon fires or attempted bushfires. Saw some interesting characters, and some that were a bit dusty as in under the weather. Later that day it rained and the concert was abandoned and never to be repeated.Confirming the location it was at Somersby behind Old Sydney town, we entered along a dirt road off Wisemans Ferry Road that ran along behind Old Sydney town, near where the reptile park is today. The Local Gosford bush fire brigades held their annual field days on the site around the early 1990′s, haven’t been there for a while but back then you could still visualise where it all happened and where the stage area was.
So pic 19 of 22 (Jeff White) of that dam at the Narara concert is where the crocs are now at the Reptile Park??? Looks like it.
Hi, I’d also love and pix/audio/video footage of that 1981 Tanelorn gig ?
I would love to get hold of any pix/audio/video of the Tanelorn gig. It is a part of Australian rock history that seems to have been poorly archived.
I would like to say thank you very much for remembering my brother Jeffrey and not forgetting him on your list of people for Nararra 83…… i remember pleading with him to let me be a part of it and go for the weekend! I was about 13 at the time!! no-way was the answer!!!!… thank you again,. from Lisa Merryweather
just found this site. Waiting to see the Angles at Mudgee sat 18th oct. I went to Narara 83 and also 84 which was washed out. I can still feel how it felt on the night the angles played. What an unreal weekend jan 83. I am watching Angels Live at Narara.
I seem to recall seeing the Hitmen as a four piece on the Friday night on the main stage. as well as the Johnnies with Roddy Radaj, and possibly NZ Pop aka Pop Mechanix. Sadlt it’s all a blur…
What great memories.
I went with a group of mates to both 83 & 84 and they rate as two of the best experiences of my life.
Talking Heads had just finished their “Stop Making Sense” tour and Narara was their last stop.That set and the sight of Jimmy Barnes the year before surfing the crowd and climbing the sound tower will be forever remebered.
Other highlights were the “Mud Men” and buying loads of extra string for the kites.
We were responsible for them being banned as we added an extra hundred metres or so and interfered with the air traffic.
The acid was brilliant too.
I was at both and they were definately awesome events. I do think that the second one with the introduction of the OS bands detracted somewhat from the first one. I agree with Chris about the acid, there was some good stuff around…..ahhh the memories…..
hi just a lil info re the 83 gig @ narara no glass bottles no cans no grog .I was the guy who sold 40.000 bottles of the then new 1.25 plastic bottles of coke the punters were buying them empty half out then fill it with booze bless them the VIP AREA was a blast. I know a million stories but you as always had to be there. the guys who put it on are legends in the rock industry and those who are still are STILL ROCKIN .
Ah, Narara, ’83 – what memories. The heat, the people, the chemical amusement aids, the MUSIC. I’ll never forget watching the sun set in the West as the full moon rose in the East behind the stage, where The Church launched into one hypnotic song after another. Nothing has come close to that long weekend. Every Oz band gave it their best. Special mention to the Allniters. We returned for ’84 to see all foreign egos take over, each one wanted to be the headline act, then the rain, more rain, heavier rain, mud, mud, rain washed any remaining magic away.
I was at both Narara events, and they were held in Somersby on a farm.
It was the most amazing event. A huge range of the best in Australian music and the next year with a swag of international artists.
The heat was intolerable, the food awful, the toilets… yuck, but that was all soon forgotten when the bands started.
We drove to the event, so were not stranded at Narara station like so many others were. It seems strange that security allowed so much alcohol and other dangerous goods into the event.
And who could forget the mud people!! After swimming in the dam, mudding up like human chocolates, they went amok into the crowd at the front of the stage (in those days there was no such thing as a mosh-pit, the whole crowd was one).
There was a real charge in the air in that event, and it must live on as one of the seminal events that cemented various bands credentials.
I had the official t-shirt for all these years, and about 1992 had to throw it away as it was cheap Chinese cotton and just dissolved in the washing machine.
Beautiful graphics. The speaker stax had the same graphics on massive silk screened banners. If anyone knows where I can buy them from, I will be the first to take ‘em!!
For many years I enjoyed playing a cassette tape of the 83 Angels recorded by Howard Page in the Jands shipping container. Great concerts. There was also a festival called Wiracimbe or something, on a property near Wauchope. Seeing Barnes and his brother perform togethor there was excellent.
I was there!!! OMG!! Was just looking for a link somewhere to this and found your page! Yes it was a farm at Stroud. WOW!! This is great! Brought back some awesome memories. Thank you!
MJ
Wow,great memorys,Tanelorn i was there,I remember going with my brother and a few mates in his vw ute with canvas back,it took us forever to get in because of all the cars,one road in only,remember the food was good ,the hash was even better,washing in the river nude,the music was first class,the people ,the pritty girl i hooked up with, she even came back to my town after the concert,Jerrie if your out there love to catch up babe,the rest is a blurrrr,lol.Narara 83 remember it was hot, shit food,tents every where,the acid was good ,i also remember every one getting off at Narara train station wondering where the the concert was at only to find out it was no where near Narara it was at somersby back of old sydney town.Narara 84 remember going ,didnt have a ticket tryed to jump the fence with about six mates, got in ok but as soon as we landed inside we were caught bye sercurty and told to climb back over the fence shit,any way had to go and bye a pass in,and then the rain came down and down and down,the mud people were having fun ,the music was good.
Narara 83 was awesome and included Doug Mulray doing “I’m a Punk” on the second stage which I havn’t seen mentioned elsewhered along with classic performaces by The Radiators, INXS, Cold Chisel, The Angels and Rose Tattoo among others. Who could forget the Tent City and the fact that the police were not allowed on site? A long weekend of drug induced kharma with no angst in sight,
’84 was forgettable due to RAIN and some prima donas from overseas.
Werikimbi Festival, held near Wauchope, was far more laidback.
The concert was at old sydney town
I was working for Goldrush at the 83 event as their foldback engineer. Goldrush played very early on the Saturday. It was a most spectacular summers day and as I remember the 50,000 or so punters in attendance had a great time. Towards the end of the Goldrush set I dropped a tab of acid, a brown barrell as I recall. I remember talking to Andrew Farris and Michael Hutchence back stage and feeling terribly alarmed when Andrew’s head exploded. I was greatly relieved some hours later when I saw INXS take the stage with Andrew who’s head was completely intact. After experiencing many great days in my 30 plus years in the music business, this one stands out as one of the weirdest. The musical highlights were definately INXS and the Angels…awesome day, why this concept died is beyond me.
I was at Narara 83 as a 16yr old. I was one of the Mud People, and can recall waiting in a bar line for ages as the acid kicked in, only to get to the front, try to place my order as the bar-girl`s face melted and dropped into the dirt. I ran away screaming. Later I was so exhausted, I fell asleep during Rose Tattoo. Not an easy task. Chisel and The Angels were awesome. Happy days. Bikies with pink umbrellas in the sun. Unisex showers. Great hash. Ah, memories
Wow I remember Narara. What I do remember is the Saturday night and being mesmerised by Talking Heads (a band I had never taken any notice of) starting their set with Psyhco Killer. I was hooked! This was folowed by Eurythmics, Eurogliders and them as well.
I liked Talking Heads before seeing them at Narara but after seeing them play there in 1984 even more so. Bands like the Eurythmics, Simple Minds, Pretenders Inxs were also fabulous but it was Talking Heads who were the standout for me! It was the best concert I have ever seen even though the last couple of days were washed out but I do remember lying there under the stars and being blown away by that band. I also remember a sea of tents and trying to find my own amongst them all. It wasn’t easy!
I was at 83 & 84. I was 17, I remember seeing the Angels and everyone holding up their lighters as a flame show. I also remember being the only one dancing amongst the hungover hoards on the sunday morning to Hoodoo Guru’s. 83 was the best, lots of weed and even a weed raffle. It made me a festival lover, now I frequent Woodford Folk festival and this years nimbin mardigrass.
hey Rick I dont suppose you were doing monitors in 81 at Tanelorn for Goldrush as well? I am pretty sure it was their drum kit that got blown off stage during a freak wind storm on the Saturday night?? What a classic that was as the whole kit and drummer fell off teh back of the stage. Amazing stuff. Matt Finish played that night as well and the .
Don’t forget Sunday arvo 1984, John English doing Six Ribbons and starting to laugh as the rain poured down. “What the f*** am I doing” or such he said and stopped the song. hahaha That followed by the roadies doing a 30 minute sound check for Def Leppard as we filled up plastic bottles and hurled them at the stage. Man we were annoyed – they reckoned it was unsafe on stage – well were we unsafe as we were drowning!! 4 inches in an hour from memory and every ounce of food scraps and crap suddenly rose from the ground and circled our ankles.
there’s a great write up of Jeff Merryweather in the current issue of CX (June 2009) if anyone gets a chance to see it.
Hey Jeff…no I only worked for Goldrush between January and June 83…its more than likely the foldback guy for Goldrush at that gig was Rick Cain who was a good mate of mine and last seen working at the Arts centre in Brisbane.
drove up from Sydney in 83 with my best mate Thorpey in my 67 valiant.We pulled off the lining of the back door and stashed it with a couple of flagons and some other stuff and smuggled it in past the searchers at the entrance.
We were 21 years old and the music was just relentlessly brilliant.I seem to recall one of the acts(maybe chisel)arriving in a chopper,but then again I might have dreamt it.The Angels never played better I reckon.
On the last day heaps of people had bailed out and Bullamakanka and the Bushwackers and the other guys put on a show that I’ve never forgotten.It was “Australiana” at its very best.
Put me in a time machine and take me back!!!
To all you bands and crew,thanks for the memories.
As today is the 40th anniversary of Woodstock, it brought back memories of Narara ’83. That was one of the best musical and social experiences imaginable. Reading the comments from you guys made me smile. Goldrush was always a favourite – ‘Duelling Banjos’. I also remember the lighters and Angels on Saturday night. But what about Jimmy Barnes climbing up on the scaffold on Saturday night! Unreal time!
Hi Jeff, that was my kit that was blown away by freak winds at Tanalorn… It was raining and quite windy that afternoon and the audience were covered in blankets and raincoats. But at sunset, the weather cleared just as Matt Finish started playing. On the last beat of our last song, the wind picked up the two cymbals I’d just hit and carried them away. An amazing day.
Hey John – how goes it? Always loved the band – saw you guys heaps. Actually I started playing guitar just so I could fumble my way thru ‘Respectable’ and ‘Hanging On’ and impress my mates!!!
I met Rick Grossman a few times and had a few beers with him during the Divinyls days (mid 80′s) as well and he always had fond memories of the band. Do you see him much nowadays?
Somewhere I have a few pics of you guys from that gig at Tanelorn. Not great shots but ok. I will dig them out and send them thru. I have sent some other Tanelorn stuff and Narara 84 pics thru to Mark Gibson but as yet he has only put up my 83 Narara pictures. Not sure whats happening there, maybe there are legal issues Mark??
Hi Jeff, sorry for not posting the rest of your images. there are no problems with them, just a lack of time lately to update this site.
Some of my other commitments have recently finished so I will be updating this site again much more frequently now. Your wonderful stuff will be up soon.
Cheers, Mark
Hi Mark
No problems, I understand completely. I see they are up now, so will endeavor to dig out some more when I get time as well.
Thanks
Jeff
Hi Everyone…
I went to both Nararas……..I remember it was $40 to get in, which seemed a lot at the time…..but these days how much would you pay to see these or a similar lineup………its almost impossible to put a dollar value on that experience……..What amazes me is you never hear anything about NARARA 83 or 84!!!!!!!…..it was an amazing time for our generation and Aussie music…….
It was a shame 84 was hit by rain……though the memory of 83 does more than compensate………..
Grace Sissini, if you happen to read this please contact me……
John
Hi Mark
I’m not sure… but did I send thru some pictures of Men at Work and Moving Pictures at all?? I know I scanned them in to my computer?? If I didn’t then let me know and I will redo them for you.
thanks
Jeff
Hi Jeff, yes you did and I will get them up here in the next few days. I’m only just getting back to updating this site after what’s been a REALLY busy year.
The other one you sent me which was interesting was the tanelorn article from Sonics. Any chance you could send me a bigger version? My dodgy old eyes could read the print!!! I’ve picked up a few snippets of info regarding Tanelorn recently & that article would be a big help.
Thanks again for all your contributions to this site. It is very much appreciated.
Hi all……well this site is amazing, I remember both Nararas I never got to go I was only 10 in 83 but my sisters went. They had to hide their weed in my room because the oldies had a feeling that they were up to no good.
I love the photos,unfortunately the music will never be the same as I sit here listening to the latest R&B rubbish coming across the airwaves.
Thanks for the walk down memory lane.
Curt
Can anyone remember Rodriguez playing at Narara? Maybe I smoked too much pot back then, but I was certain he was there.
What a blast reading all the comments. I was also at both. 19 and 20 years old and as good a concert that I have still been to. I make documentaries for a living and am currently looking for any video or film footage of the event. If anyone you know had the home video rolling in the camping area, I’d love an intro. I’ve spoken to one of the promoters and even they agree it was one of the best events they have ever staged…to this day!! Anyway feel free to email me. Cheers Toddy
aquarius33@bigpond.com
Hi Michael
Just to clear up your question, as i have the program with me, Rodriguez played Friday night at Tanelorn and not Narara. The night consisted of Earthstar, No fixed address, Redgum, Rodriguez and N.Z. Spyz
for those interested Sat morning/arvo lineup was:
Eighty Eights, Dave McArtney and the Flamingoes, NZ Pop, Goldrush.
Sat night: The Church, Matt Finish, Max Merritt and Billy Thorpe (till about 3am from memory).
Sun morn/arvo: Un Taboo, Moving Pictures, Kevin Borich, SunnyBoys.
Sun Night: Men at Work, Mi Sex, Midnight Oil, Split Enz (their first song of the night was “hard act to follow” as the Oils went off big time) and lastly Broderick Smiths Big Combo (wow what a night that all was)
Monday morn: the mighty Newcastle Total Fire Band, Buswalkers (Bushwackers?? typo maybe) and Swanee. Dunno I didnt hang around for Monday so could someone clear that one up for me please?
So there ya have it.
Memories of Tanelorn – Too late arriving on Friday to see anyone huge traffic jam to get in. Washing in the river. Free Krishner food after the storm, queing for ice, I don’t remember much Saturday night. I remember the roadies having to lower the rigging to get Brod Smith off the stage. I thought Total Fire Band were really good. (I hadn’t heard of them before or after) I remember watching Swanee and some bird was doing cartwheels with out any knickers on which Swanne spend most of the set watching. The number of people I met who I knew but didn’t know they were going. Oh yeah and the alternative stage with a couple of old coppers tring to work orut some alt. dance that was on the stage.
I think I did the Monday doing Swanee FOH. I don’t know how you guys remember so much. I don’t!
I have big box of notes, itinerarys and diarys here somewhere and probably some photos from Tanelorn and Narara (FOH for Eurogliders). Haven’t looked at them for years. Must dig them out.
Hi
I went to both concerts and nothing has ever compared to them
Just fantastic……..
Mud, music, grog and girls!
I have a lot of photos taken at the concerts and must post them one day
Cheers Paul
Hi All,
great to read all the comments and thanks for the pics, brings back so many good memories. I travelled up with a mate on a bus from melbourne with fox fm and camped above the dam. We had the most amazing view and i can still picture it now! Definitly the best concert i went to. Please post more pics/videos on this site if possible.
Cheers,
Tim
jus talkn bout narara 83 xmas night 2010 to my 19 n 20 yr olds best time eva great music luv james reyne hot ars in his white jeans great acid weed everywhere bourbon smugld in sleepn bag 20litre casks wine saved us luv free enterprise should have a narara revival n do 83 again all oz no os at all who needs them
I too have been sharing Narara 83 stories with my kids recently. Who could ever forget that mud pit? As i recall we walked straight through the gates without paying…everything was so lax. I don’t remember a lot of details but I do remember I had THE best weekend I can ever remember.
I also was at Tanelorn and both 83 and 84 Narara’s and this thread brings back great memories.
I remember the 10 hour queue at Tanelorn in the car just to get through the front gates,and getting inside there wasn’t that much food available.And the dust!!! Great local bands like the Oils and Rodriguez from O/S – Sugar Man!!!
Narara 83 was brilliant, I too only got rid of my T Shirt a few years ago as the moths ate most of it, Gee I wish I still had it, what a great bragging point.
Also I still remember Narara 84 with Annie Lennox stripping down to that red bra and the brilliant David Byrne of Talking heads.I walked back to my tent that night to find someone had knocked out one of the ropes on my tent and had a river run through it with all the rain.Then later in the muddy carpark trying to push start my escort panelvan due to a flat battery.
I remember Tanelorn at Stroud – I was in the Armstrong’s Mobile recording Van out back – I distinctly remember the Oils doing an amazing set followed by Split Enz who opened with “Hard act to follow”
I remember 83 ,rave on to to the kids they think I’m crazy ,love to see the aussie’s do it again ,can’t beleive there were so many there.
bloody good time,still got the flag i flew up the tree.
Just found two Narara ’83 T-Shirts..It was held on Australia Day Weekend,January 28-31st….was held Next Door to Old Sydney Town,Gosford..bit of a blur..
Went there with the band “The Church’ and had Car Access,Access All Areas…spent the time in the Huts out the back..it was very hot…
Lucky enough to be at side of stage for Radiatiors,The Church,INXS,Angels..was just getting on dusk..excellent show!!..
Then,had to get home,pack and fly out to New Zealand for the ‘Sweetwaters’ Festival.with the Church…they were on before Split Enz..someone thew a can at them,they walked off..I was at side of stage for that one as well…good friends..
The Church are still around,being inducted into the Wall of Fame..very under-rated at the time..thanks for the memory!!!…
I came her to check on a band called ‘Total Fire Band’ and found this..Regards,Lillian…xxx
Been reading this thread for years. My sister went out with a roadie from TFB about the time the keyboard player lost his leg. Must have seen that band 100 times. They were great. sis even has a tape somewhere of a live recording. Love to know what they are doing.
Andrew.
Narara ’83 was one of the best weekends of my life !
So many memories but one stands out. Chisel had just completed a true tour de force set, one of the best ever, and loud too !
Then the Tatts came on stage and Angry starts with “turn up the monitors, we’re a real f——g rock and roll band !” We had enough so we went back to our tent, probably 150m from the stage and when we lied down we could feel the Tatts music through the ground !! No bullshit.
Narara ’83 was held here, across the water from Old Sydney Town.
http://maps.google.com.au/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=ols+sydney+town&aq=&sll=-25.244696,135.703125&sspn=41.490127,78.662109&ie=UTF8&hq=ols+sydney+town&hnear=&t=h&ll=-33.420553,151.272984&spn=0.006707,0.014162&z=17
I have a t-shirt (somewhere), the SMH write up, and I’m pretty sure an old, old cassette tape with a radio doco JJJ did on the festival. I remember running around covered in mud, flying an Australian flag kite so high they made an announcement on stage asking us to reel it in because it was interfering with the helicopters, Austen Tayshus whipping up the crows in speedos, and Doug Mulray performing “I’m a punk” in a dress and a police cap.
crowd, not crows.
Wow what a blast finding this website and bringing back so many memories for me. I was there 83 & 84, in 83 we set our tent up on the Friday night and due to copious amounts of acid did not find it again the whole weekend. I remember sitting up on a hill tripping out with some mates and this guy that was off his face was walking through the crowd asking “has anyone seen a blue tent” we seen him again on the Monday morning still looking for his blue tent lol. I also remember that Old Sydney Town was across the lake and people pissing along the fence and yelling at the tourist lol. They were the best two concerts of my life and I will always have those memories. Talking Heads and INXS were the bands that stood out for me, bloody awesome.
I think that we were close to “Old Sydney Town”.I am
not even sure if that is still there. But you could see it from where we were camping.
No it’s closed to the public these days and only available as a movie set etc..do you have any pics from Narara Lee-Anne? My mate had heaps but has lost them over the tears
Hi all
I have plenty of photos of both Narara’s and remember taking a lot of the Radiators, Goldrush etc.
What a great band Goldrush were! Tommy Emmanuel and his brother phil were just fantastic along with the rest of the band.
The Radiators were one of my favourites, plenty of great concerts down at the old Cronulla Workers Club (now apartments).
I met up with the Band backstage at the Tivoli Theatre in George St, City and showed them the shots from Narara and other concerts.
They thought they were great and ended up publishing some of them on their album ‘Scream of the Real’ back in the days of vinyl.
Once I locate the photos I’ll fill the sight up with lots of ‘good memories’.
P.S loved the comment above about the Tatts, can vouch for that 100%.
The ground verberated like an earthquake and our hearing was left in the mud of Narara!
That would be awesome Paul, seen the Rads and heaps of other great Aussie pub bands whilst growing up and living in Sydney. Miss those days!!
Paul…I dont think Goldrush played at the 84 event, I could be wrong, check it out…when Goldrush played Narara in 83 Tommy Emmanuel was not in the band…
Saw the Rads late last year and considering how long they’ve been going they were surprisingly good. If you get the chance go and see them, the illicit memories of youth come flooding back !
Old Cronulla workers remember it well ,seen the Angels at the Sylvainia pub in the late 70s,must have been about 50 or so people,great nite .
Denni last year with Barnsy & Chisel ,great w/end.
Hi all. Was going through my old desk and found both my Narara entry tickets! Also had one of the large advertising signs that were nailed to telegraph poles, but my old man chucked it about 20 years ago! I remember our tent from ’84. It was mentioned on stage by the comperes. It was a large 10 man job but the corner had rotted away and it was held together by plastic bags etc. If you tighetened the corner ropes the whole tent ripped more. It was the weirdest shape and fairly close to the stage hence people used it as a reference point. “Yeah just to the left of the shit tent”. At ’83 I remember watching the tattooist doing some bloke with a Narara ’83 tatt. They looked at me and said, how do you spell Narara?!! Classic. Great real bands and great memories.
Been reading this thread for years. I went to Tanelorn and both Nararas’ I remember seeing a poor sod rolling down the hill near the mud pit in a portaloo, Yuk. Guess what.? I just found the t shirt from 83. The one with all the band names on the back. I wish i had a Tanelorn shirt but instead I bought a sarong at that gig. Cant think why?
I have lots of pics of the Strange Tenants at Narara! What year would that have been?
Hi Di, I’d love to see those photo’s.
The only band list I have is the one in the article but I’m pretty sure there was two stages running. Possibly they played on the second stage.
Hi Di.
Was there BOTH years! Pics would be great. I have many pics from an old camera but I have nfi where they’d be or if they survived umpteen moves in the last 27+ years!.
Hi, I was at all three, Tanelorn, Narara 83, 84. If i recall i remember being warned of a storm coming at tanelorn and jumping in a kombi with 3 girls and alot odf substances. After the storm i lost all my gear left there with only my pants, tee and one thong. Puts a smile on my face. Also if i recall right who can remember the huge full moon on the sat night in ’83 and walking around on sun morning in ’84 lokiing at tents half under water. Smiles
Tanelorn/Narara was the best ever, can’t be beaten, concert I went to with a group of mates. We had the tent and of course the necessary supplies. Lots of fun, laughs and mucking around. There for 3 days and rocked on. Great music, great people, great atmosphere. I was only 23. They don’t make them like that anymore and to be honest I couldn’t keep up with it now….but them were the times. I still talk about it today.
Hi all
Still trying to locate promised photos from both Narara’s.
Like the other posting above by Thommo, after countless house changes over the years they remain buried in a box somewhere!
I definitely still have them as I used to do a lot of Rock Band Photography, working with Midnight Oil over a 5 year period along with the Radiators.
Those memories are priceless.
Will post them the day I chance upon them.
Does anyone remember Pat Drummond (one man band) playing on the smaller second stage at Narara?
Can’t remember which year.
He was a great solo artist and I used to see him play down at the ‘Rest’ Hotel in Milson’s Point – North Sydney until they demolished the original Pub.
How do I upload photo’s I’ve got
Hi David, just send them over by email at admin@australianmusichistory.com & I’ll make sure they are included here.
Thanks so much, Mark
I was Narara in 1983 and had a great time – we met the Cockroaches there and had not heard of them but went on to become fans – mainly went to see Mi-sex but the whole weekend was awesome
Is Narara 1983 the same concert that simple minds and the pretenders were at?
If so, is there a list of all acts available.
Was there – still etched in my memory
Hi JT,
the one you are thinking of is Narara 1984 which you can read about here: http://www.australianmusichistory.com/narara-music-festival-1984/
I was a member of NORML and we had a stall at the first Narara. It’s all a haze (hahaha) now but I do remember that it was a buzz and I enjoyed myself totally. Met heaps of interesting people. It was something that happened in it’s time and can never be reproduced. I remember the call going out over loudspeakers that there was some ‘dirty’ acid about and for people to be careful! 90% of the people were off their faces in various ways but in happy ways. A great buzz a great memory. Alas, NORML hasn’t achieved much but hey, it’s the people, the personalities, the convictions of so many people as to their choice! Geeze, can’t believe so many years have passed and it’s still stalemate!
i have just been reading some the memories on this site, a recent chat with an old mate brought up Narara 83 and 84, he and i were both there but didnt know each other then, it was great to relive those memories talking to him, he mentioned there are site dedicated to these concerts, so i am, then i realised i had memorabilia and photos, i found my copy of the 83 programme along with the 84 sticker and entry ticket, thanks for the memories
I attended the 83 and 84 concerts, it was held beside Old Sydney Town, I remember looking into Old Sydney Town either from the concert site or from where I parked the car. Forty bands over four days. I still have my Narara t shirt. The second year there was a massive storm and the place got flooded out. Everyone just slid in the mud and had heaps of fun. Im not sure what concert, I think it was in 84 someone drowned in one of the dams, I didnt see it but it was well talked about by everyone. Just about everyone played there except Midnight Oil. There was a lot of bitching about international bands playing there but I remember seeing Death Leopard playing there. Talking Heads, Simple Minds, Pretenders, just to name a few.A lot of cars had to be towed out of the car park.
OMG what a great site ,by reading all the comments i am able to piece together some of what happened 83 and 84..still have my tickets,my best friend and i got a bus up there with a few parras that we meet we were from The Entrance, remember rolling a bottle of something up in a sleeping bag and throwing it over a fence ,,,people were injecting oranges and watermelons with all types of spirits…believe it or not Gonna were big then and i couldn’t wait to see them… as soon as they came on i took off down the front of the stage and jumped around like crazy…also remember people walking around yelling out GLOWIES 1DOLLAR TRIPS 10….REALLY WISH I COULD REMEMBER MORE… so if my kids ever read this don’t drink and do drugs it really stuffs your memories…lol..
I was at ’83 & ’84. I got a t shirt and singlet with a koala and a platypus mid session on the front. Can’t remember if i bought it during ’83 or ’84.
Pretenders were awesome in ’84.
Angels were the best in ’83. Was tripping over both years. lol
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