A special broadcast hit the airwaves last week in the Yarra Ranges, celebrating incredible young talent ahead of the Hilltop festival on Sunday 15 September.
Three different youth bands set up and performed on the radio in the 3MDR studio, giving the teens a chance to showcase their talents on community radio and gain valuable experience in the music industry.
The groups stepped into the Brassed Off on timeslot on Friday 29 August, presenter Mark Gardner, who is usually found playing a range of brass music and acts on his show, welcomed the horde of musical teens and their families into the station to perform.
“I always like to support our local acts and especially our great emerging acts I see in the local area,” he said.
Almost June, the Mountain Howlers and Paranoid and the Androids from Monbulk College performed live on the day and Station Manager Nat said the station usually plays live music in the 3MDR studios weekly.
“It was such an added bonus to host all 18 young musicians from Monbulk College and put their bands live to air,” they said.
“I hope we can get them back soon and that the on-air experience will boost their confidence heading into their performances at the Hilltop Festival.”
Kicking into gear on a Friday night, the bands set up and each played a set live in the studio.
“I felt really nervous and excited,” said Ella, drummer and vocalist from Almost June.
“But I knew it was a great opportunity, and I was super excited for the experience,” she said.
“I was very nervous to go on the radio, but I was also very excited and told all my friends and family to listen to me play,” said Tanisha from Paranoid and the Androids.
The drummer from the Mountain Howlers, Spencer, said he felt the night was great for the band.
“It was an amazing experience,” he said.
Forming in May this year after some recess and lunchtime bonding led to the idea of forming a band, Almost June is made up of year eight students, Ella, Noa, Georgia, Eliana, Miriam and Beth.
Pianist and vocalist Beth said she has been annoying her family with her singing since she was a baby, and began formal music education once she entered high school.
“Getting Almost June together with my friends has been so much fun, and I’m really
proud of what we’ve done and where we’re headed,” she said.
The Mountain Howlers are Ned, Noah. Spencer, Laurie and Lennox have been established for a few years, playing their tunes across many gigs in the Dandenongs.
The bassist, Lennox, said the radio performance was a first, and the trio will return to play at Hilltop for a second year in a row this weekend.
“We are still really excited – last year was fun, but this year will be better,” he said.
A group of year 11 and 12s make up the Paranoid and the Androids, Wilbur, Campbell, Jamie, Morgan, Ava, Kit and Eden.
Coming from a musical family, Drummer Ava said she was nervous as it was her first time on the radio.
“It was an awesome experience to see how studios work, I enjoyed it a lot, and I will definitely want to do it again,” she said.
Heavily involved with the festival, music teacher from Monbulk College, Lisa Baird, said the first Hilltop festival came to be in 2023, after there was a need identified for more performance opportunities for young people in the hills.
“We’ve always had a strong culture of creativity in the arts and music at Monbulk College, so we wanted to not only showcase our wonderful up-and-coming artists, but also create a social, welcoming creative space for them to come home to after they’d finished Year 12,” she said.
The community-driven music festival will see over 40 acts across three stages.
“All artists on our bill are connected to our school through a variety of ways,” said Ms Baird.
“This year we’re proud to host over 90 student performers and over 80 adult performers, including local legends Miss Ska Tonic, Dusthead, The Chops, The Lickspits, Flatbread and many more,” she said.
2025 will see the school raise funds for a school-based music production program so students can produce, record and distribute their own compositions.
Ava said to prepare for Hilltop, she’s practising every night.
“I’m listening to my set songs every day and working with our other drummer, Wilbur, so we both know what we’re doing,” she said.
Almost June has been prepping with weekly sessions at school with their teacher, Lisa, plus extra practice with bandmates at home.
Vocalist and pianist Beth said they’re now looking forward to Hilltop.
“We can’t wait to share new original material with everyone,” she said.
Mountain Howler drummer Spencer said the live radio gig was great for the band,
“It was an amazing experience,” he said.
Paranoid and the Android’s guitarist, Eden, said the radio gig at 3MDR was his second time at the station and he enjoyed it just as much as the first, with sights now set towards Hilltop.
“The band is doing lots of practice and rehearsal, and we are all super excited to play,” he said.
Hilltop is this Sunday 14 September at the Ferny Creek Recreation Reserve from 11am until 8pm, and tickets are available online.
Head to the Star Mail website for a special Q and A from each band.
