Skyfire night in Canberra isn’t any normal night. With around 130,000 people packing the shores of Lake Burley Griffin it meant Civic was going to be super busy. The Potbelleez warmed up for their set at Academy with a performance on the live stage at Regatta Point which could be heard quite clearly on the other side of the lake. Listening from a distance it certainly sounded like it was going to be an awesome night ahead!

Fast forward a few hours and Civic was indeed packed, with lines galore at every venue. What would The Potbelleez, with one of the most played songs in 2008 with Don’t Hold Back bring to the Capital? Well certainly many punters who wanted to see them live, judging by the two separate lines and myriad of others crowding around the Academy entrance!

After eventually finding my way inside, the place was packed out, atmosphere electric. The crowd overall was quite young with the majority under 21 as Canberrans came to dance the night away.

Ashley Feraude was doing a good job of working the crowd up and getting them warmed up (not to mention some of those who were super liquored up too!) and ready for the main act. Come around 1am and The Potbelleez came on with the Canberra crowd cheering and packing out the dance floor. Of course The Potbelleez dropped their massive anthem Don’t Hold Back and I joined the crowd with arms waving around and singing at the top of my lungs (thank god for loud music drowning me out). They brought the house down and it was amazing to see the energy and cool lighting that they brought to the stage and thus the whole of Academy. I haven’t seen too many acts keep the floor packed at Academy until the wee hours but manage it they did! Given I have failed to see The Potbelleez before now I can certainly say that I will be looking to see them again.