Something very cool happened in Gympie on Friday night.
Around 60 locals were electrified by a solo homecoming performance by Kate ‘Babyshakes’ Dillon, headlining the Space Girls Festival  for Pride Month.
Lured back to Gympie by the Space Girls team of Cindy Vogels and Nicole Harper, Babyshakes turned on a psych rock performance of original songs that raised our eyebrows and our spirits.
Without the backing of her Full Flower Moon Band, Babyshakes bought the energy and a sound bath that filled the gorgeous and historic Gympie Music Hall on Channon Street.
She is fucking talented: the voice, the sexy, funny, in-your-face songwriting, the charisma and stagecraft combined into a show that did not lose its highly charged energy for a second.
Babyshakes Dillon’s energy does not flag. PHOTO: Brea Martin
This is a performer, who with her Full Flower Moon Band is getting serious international attention, embarking on a world tour and collaborating with punk musicians in New York.
She grew up in Gympie, went to James Nash High School and took part in her high school’s Music Extension Program before studying music at QUT.
Kate Dillon. PHOTO: supplied
Is Gympie known for boundary-pushing, underground, subversive music and artistry? Maybe not, maybe it could be and Babyshakes Dillon is definitely one powerful example.
Unhinged
She is erotically unhinged, her eyes possessed and she’s channelling Bon Scott’s high voltage on electric guitar, Chrissie Amphlett’s ‘Oh my God, what will she do next?’ stagecraft and Kurt Cobain’s raw edge and chiselled cheekbones.
For this reviewer, one of the coolest things about Babyshakes, aside from her musical talent and stage presence, is that she presents as unhooked from the male gaze.
Kate Dillon is smoking hot, wears minimal makeup, has a healthy body shape and expresses her sexuality in a way that is raw, earthy and intelligent. She ain’t pouting for the boys.
Stagecraft: PHOTO of Babyshakes Dillon by Brea Martin
Her songs ‘I’m gonna meet ya,’ ‘Speed Limit,’ ‘Man hands,’ and ‘Illegal things’ tell her unique story of transgressive and empowered womanhood.
Space Girls did her justice. The lighting, stage design, sound and special effects were on point and built momentum through the show. By the time Babyshakes turned on her sound bath effects for the final three songs, the audience were in her trance.
The Full Flower Moon band’s third album Megaflower, reached #1 on the Australian Aria Charts and they are about to embark on an international tour. Check out their new releases and upcoming gigs here
Hugo and the Hive: PHOTO: Brea Martin
Babyshakes Dillon was supported by homegrown emerging indie rock band Hugo and The Hive hitting their strides with sweet originals and covers by bands like Wheezer and The Pixies.
Lead singer Elke Louie has a beautiful and powerful voice that reminded this reviewer of Missy Higgins or Courtney Barnett. Love the gentle sax and sweet personalities of this band of young Gympie musos who met at high school.
Hugo and The Hive lead singer Elke Louie PHOTO: Brea Martin
Fellow support act Madison Levi  warmed the crowd with her unique blend of dark alt-pop and soulful-folk.
Madison Levi PHOTO: Brea Martin
The event was billed Inner Space by the Space Girls Festival who produced a double header for Pride this year. Worm Girlz headlined The Outer Space event on Thursday night, with both events delivering on Space Girls’ promise to focus on established and emerging female and gender-diverse performers.
Cindy Vogels, designer to the stars (including Lady Gaga) founded Space Girls Festival in 2018 and now co-directs with Nicole Harper on an arts event that’s becoming a must-do on the Gympie arts calendar.
They are curating the hottest established and emerging artists from this region (and visiting breakthrough artists) to perform in cool venues.
L to R: Cindy Vogels and Nicole Harper. PHOTO: Brea Martin
Space Girls 2025 was supported by: headspace Gympie, Pride Foundation Australia, Bendigo Bank and the Regional Arts Development Fund.
PHOTO of Kate ‘Babyshakes’ Dillon at top of story by Brea Martin
