Soundtrack to your studies - 2010

The music at Orientation went from hip hop to indie rock to dance music. Early in the Week, King Kapisi performed at Shadows with Kidz In Space, which was an early group of Josh Fountain (LEISURE and Benee’s main producer). Their big hit was ‘Downtime.’

Later in the week, Shadows also hosted The Checks and The Earlybirds, who were part of the Shorecore scene on the North Shore which had its own music festival (Devonstock), recording studio (The Bus at The Depot), and regular gigs at Devonport’s Masonic Tavern. However, the third act on the line-up was probably most reminiscent of the moment since their rise and fall was so swift - The Tutts.

There was also dance music provided by Minuit and Antiform, plus an early performance from Sons of Zion. The University also sponsored 95bFM’s Summer Series which was headlined by The Mint Chicks, though the band broke up later in the year after lead singer Kody Neilson brought a gig to an early end by smashing up their instruments. Guitarist Ruban Neilson later formed the internationally-successful group UMO and brought in his brother Kody as keyboardist/drummer.

Here's a clip of Bang Bang Eche at the Summer Series, with plenty of shots of the crowd. Spot yourself there?

Also on the line-up of the Summer Series were the Naked & Famous, whose song ‘Young Blood’ was on its way to breaking them in the US via millions of views on YouTube.

Rhythm and Vines was gradually becoming the biggest festival of the summer and its headliner was N.E.R.D. Back then Pharell was still an underground producer, not the pop star behind ‘Happy’ so it was quite a different vibe…

The biggest selling album of the year was by operatic pop singer Susan Boyle (in fact she took No.2 spot as well!) However, given it’s unlikely many uni students were listening to her music, it’s better to scroll down to third place, which was taken by local singing sensation Gin Wigmore. Gin had already had her sights set on the US where she's enjoyed a long and successful career. Here is her breakthrough hit ‘Oh My.’

What was on your turntable while you were on campus? Suggest songs to add to our 2010s playlist, and you could win $100 Flying Out voucher.