On June 19, 2010, Territory rock band Sweet Amber got one big break…

At the 11th hour they were called upon to play support for Grinspoon at the annual V8 Rock & Race concert, in front of 10 000 people, when the NZ support band Midnight Youth had to cancel after missing their flight.

They kicked it in front of a huge, pumped crowd – and couldn’t believe their luck! And not only that, once the gig was over, they raced to Happy Yess to make their 9.30pm slot, on the bill for Terrorfest II. To say it was a night to remember for the band might just be a bit of an understatement…

Some great pics were taken of their V8 gig, which you can see in a mega-gallery on the Music NT Forum.

Just weeks before, the young band was also selected as one of the five local acts on the bill for the 2010 BASSINTHEGRASS day-festival in Darwin. They shared the stage with Empire Of The Sun, Silverchair and Jessica Mauboy.

Bass player Jared Winter (right) from Sweet Amber wrote about both experiences, and was kind enough to share this with Music NT.

“The whirlwind ride started with getting on the bill for BASSINTHEGRASS, representing local music alongside Leigh Chisholm’s band and Semishigure. Despite playing at 12:30, our die hard fans were there in numbers! To everyone who made it early to watch us (you know who you are), you have our heartfelt thanks. Not only did we have fun playing on the big stage, we made some important contacts within the industry. A bit of business mixed with pleasure ; )

Little did we know that 4 weeks later our work that day would lead to the biggest gig we’d ever hope to play in Darwin…

Allow me to set the scene for you. Friday the 18th, Stuart, Shane and I were at Dolly’s pub to check out Sex In The Desert’s opening night. Just a normal night at the pub enjoying the music and reflecting on the week just passed. Shane and I were inside, when Stu runs in and points at us with the ‘come outside’ gesture. My first thought was a drunk was hassling the girls and he needed our help to move them along.
After rushing outside, looking for the trouble Stu grins at us and says “How would you like to play at the V8′s tomorrow?”.

To be honest, I didn’t believe him. Turns out the Kiwi support act missed their flights and that the stage manager for the V8 concert heard good things about us from the BITG people. It was only after a few minutes that I realised….we’d be opening for GRINSPOON!!!!!!!!!!!!

There’s nothing like walking onto a stage and not being able to see the grass. Just a sea of people. 10000 rev-heads and their families looking up at you. I have to be admit, it was a little overwhelming but we just kept telling ourselves it was “just another gig, just another gig…” I don’t think any of us really believed that but it made me feel better.

The minute the first note was struck something happened. I don’t know how but it all seemed ‘easier’ – like it didn’t matter what we did on stage anymore. All the pre-show anxiety melted away and we put on one hell of a show, despite not being able to see our drummer (bloody smoke machines, LOL). I think we made people question what they thought of Darwin bands. The current bands playing now are fighting the stigma that us local bands are labelled with, and I think we landed a major blow in this fight. It’s about time people stood up and noticed what’s going on in this little town of ours, something exciting is brewing!!

After a quick chat with the boys from Grinspoon (and some autographs, obviously!), we packed up and raced over to Brownsmart for Terrorfest II – no rest for the wicked! After pulling off such a big show, we arrived with confidence you only read about and busted out arguably the best set we’ve ever played. Out of all the gigs we’ve done in the last year, out of all the parties, the weddings, the Yess gigs and the pub gigs, my favourite performance will forever be that little set at Terrorfest II. Everything fell into place, the crowd was responsive, we got a chance to show people who we are and I fell in love with an old Peavey bass amp (but that’s another story, LOL).

So in the span of 4 weeks, Sweet Amber played two of their biggest shows and it all comes back to you, the fans. Don’t write this off, I’m not saying this because I feel obligated. I honestly believe we would still be playing in my spare room if it wasn’t for the love and support of our loyal fans (once again, you know who you are). If you promise to be there for us, we promise we won’t let you down.”

Read more about Sweet Amber here. And visit them on MySpace, Facebook and Unearthed.

Words: Megan Spencer. Thanks to Jared Winter for his story.