festival review : Peats Ridge Sustainable Arts & Music Festival 2012
They say going to a music festival is like covering eight weeks worth of music. How on earth does one cram that in a single review?
Whether that’s true or not, it makes sense to rave about the highlights that were experienced at Peats Ridge Sustainable Art & Music Festival a three day magical music camp held in Glenworth Valley, NSW.
I arrived at the site via the Peats Ridge Shuttle bus. Surrounded by other eager festival goers I felt the anticipation that had been slowly bubbling away for day one. We were dropped off at the top of the valley next to a colourful painted ‘hitch-a-ride’ cardboard sign, just before the mountainous descent down. Rather than waiting for another shuttle to show up, I decided to give it a go and stuck my thumb out with other hopefuls. This proved to be not only a great incentive but also the best way to meet a new friend who gave me insights into what Sydney based bands were worth seeing.
My first and favourite stopover was the Chai Temple stage holding the first highlight D.A.Calf from The Book of Ships. This man sounded absolutely beautiful and with enchanting soundscapes, I was entranced from the beginning. I hoped that 2013 would mean the full band would make an appearance. The sweat that dripped down my back was long forgotten as I sipped on a tasty chai frappe, listened to gorgeous songstress Sam Buckingham and smiled with delight, glad to be inside this valley.
Satisfying a difficult gluten-free vegetarian diet I found was no hassle at all. I came across a vegetarian, all-gluten-free stall that offered mixed plates of tasty curry and colourful salads with hommus and tahini dressings. They even served up an amazing raw vegan cheesecake that tasted like cherry ripe.
Later on over at the Lyrebird stage, a giant circus tent, Brisbane based The Medics threw together a show that could be nothing short of energising and spectacular. Their drummer climbed up the metal pillar holding the tent up – anxiety leaking off the faces of stage security – shouting to an animated crowd ‘the pride’.
Back at the Chai Temple I’d been looking forward to catching Roesy, an Irish singer-songwriter based in Melbourne who was rumoured to be accompanied by none other than fiddle extraordinaire Duncan Yardley. Finishing up the night at the Bellbird stage I danced a storm to Tijuana Cartel. Little did I know that I would overdo it a tad, resulting in my legs turning to matchsticks the following day.
While yesterday was a scorcher the next day proved to be favourably overcast and breezy. As I ate my first of many to come gluten-free crepes (made from banana flour!) by the river, I overheard the soundcheck at the Lyrebird stage. I was already feeling refreshed and geared up to take on the explosion of music for day two.
Deciding to pace myself and let my legs recover I wandered over to look at the workshops, noticing a learn to juggle workshop. Unfamiliar to the world of circus tricks, I took on my next challenge. My hacky sacks flew in all directions and I wasn’t too sure if there was any hope of becoming a juggler anytime soon. What’s worse, I was abandoned by the instructor who had left me on my own and barely glanced in my direction. I later realised this was okay, as I overheard juggling is almost like muscle memory and was picked up over time. After managing to throw and catch three hacky sacks with wobbly grace I felt a break was in order and walked over to the Underworld stage. I might mention, you wouldn’t realise it was the underworld stage if it weren’t for a map.
Belle & The Bone People were playing on stage and were a blast to watch. Their energy easily absorbed as they performed and we were ordered to get up and dance. I danced ignoring the pain in my legs.
More feather shaking was to be had with Melbourne based Clairy Browne & The Bangin’ Rackettes, a 1960s music dance video inspired nine-piece with big hair, steaming saxophone playing and killer lead vocals. To my amusement I noticed a lot of guys were mimicking the rackettes dance moves. Even more grooving to The Black Seeds a smoking New Zealand based band – a live experience not to miss.
Day three with a top of 39 degrees was close to unbearable. I hid in the shade provided by the Bellbird stage sound desk while I watched Winter People put on such a show they whipped up a dusty whirlwind. A last minute change to the program saw my new favourite Benjalu replacing Hat Fitz & Cara. These Newcastle stunners who have graced Peats Ridge before know how to rock out a show. You couldn’t help but swoon over the lead singer and his voice and watch the members dart about the stage with such life and vigour.
I fell a sleep listening to the soothing sounds of Alexander Hamilton in the Chai Temple. Got blown away by Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings and dashed over to catch another Roesy show whose piercing songs latched on as I hummed along.
John Butler Trio, the headlining act of the festival brought us into a flying new year. Party poppers burst with miniature coloured streamers soaring in all directions and it looked as if festival-goers would never sleep with all kinds of music on offer throughout the night.
The only negatives I could think of pointing out were the massive amount of stages. While it’s great Peats Ridge is catering for many tastes and people of all kinds, watching acts on smaller stages such as La Toosh, music could be heard leaking from the Lyrebird stage. Unfortunately this was poorly timed and should have been better coordinated or kept simple. It also made it hard to catch one-act bands with clashing times. Perhaps this was done to keep crowds entertained at all times which meant no rowdiness was to be found anywhere.
Peats Ridge, I can personally say, is definitely worth the commute. New friends were made, fresh music discovered and honestly, I couldn’t think of a better way to ring in the New Year than out in the stunning and musically open Hunter Valley. I’m already penciling in this festival for 2013, ready to shake and groove all over again.
By Nikita Andrea
With an obsessive nature for music, Nikita Andrea writes avidly for the world of sound both on Lip and her blog Raindrops and Rooftops. When she’s not writing about music she’s performing it.
