In Full Swing

Forget the floor-length ball gowns and chandelier earrings and bring out the cigars and feather boas. The Gangsters' Ball is coming to Brisbane.

The Tivoli is soon to be filled with the roaring jazz of the 1920s-50s with The Velvet Set, a ten-piece swing band, leading the night. For the guitarist and band leader Graham Coupland, it's not just about the music.  

“It's actually a lot of fun to see people in the audience dancing. There's a humour to swing music that doesn't seem to be in any other genre. As far as I'm concerned I think it's the best dance music every written,” Graham says.

The Velvet Set hit the jazz scene just three years ago. Since then they have established themselves as one of Australia's leading swing bands and have built a repertoire of over 100 songs ranging in style from the old time classics to the current neo-swing.

“The first time we set foot on stage we had almost 400 people in the room, so we knew we were on to something. We've got two singers, male and female, which also makes us quite unique.”

With the success of last year's Gangsters' Ball egging them on, Graham said The Velvet Set has raised the bar in terms of the entertainment to be seen this year. With gambling tables, magicians and cabaret dancers on the cards, The Velvet Set is ready to embrace the theme of the night.

“Every show we do we're dressed in traditional 1920s and 30s suits and our female singer has a selection of beautiful vintage ball gowns. We try and get the venue looking as authentic as we can. I think that's part of the attraction. It's the only show that goes around Australia where people can immerse themselves in that fabulous era.”

Leading the Gangsters' Ball across Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne, The Velvet Set feel there's a different vibe from state to state. It seems Brisbane is a favourite for the Sydney-based swing band.

“We found everyone in Brisbane came out ready to play. From the minute the doors opened everyone was in a party mood. It was the best Gangsters' Ball from last year. We can't wait to get back to the Tivoli.”

THE VELVET SET PLAY THE GANGSTERS' BALL AT THE TIVOLI SATURDAY, SEPT 11.