Party In The Paddock Day Two is where the magic really started with the opening of the main paddock and a large variety of acts and activities spread throughout the day.
Early morning yoga was the perfect refresh from the energies of the previous night with the relaxing activity helping forget the memories of a wind battered evening.
Vibestown was the place to be early with the local acts and small performers playing beyond their levels, in many cases worth moving from main stage for. Wollongong boys Good Lekker, Seaside and Meres were great additions to the festival bringing the fun as the people flowed through to the festival grounds. Good Doogs and Cable Ties were the punk offering for the day, with both band’s heavier hitting music making way for some minor mosh pits in the lead up to the afternoon.
Wholesome artists Tyne James-Organ and Alex the Astronaut brought a bit of a low-cost vibe to the event, but both used their storytelling and habit of connecting with their audience to strengthen the mood. Alex was a sweet performance, a hand built planet and astronaut display proudly hanging behind her rather than using the screen for a backing. “Already Home” and “Waste Of Time” brought the crowd out through Alex’s performance with her witty banter spreading the laughs.
The Good Time Church had its opening ceremony as the people of the paddock clamoured in to see what it was all about, with fake tombstones and the phrase, “We All Die” hovering as a pretense over the space, it acted as a home for good thoughts and helping people face their fears to live more. As per the first day, the skatepark was in full swing allowing for a little light viewing of some real talent at the paddock.
Hip-hop came to town on Friday night as Sydney based rapper Kwame rocked the Vibestown stage, drawing the crowd away from parallel act Winston Surfshirt for a high energy rap extravaganza. Kwame’s musical stylings built a new intensity into the evening with “WOW” the highlight and closer. Jumping into the crowd Kwame elicited the classic hip-hop vibe but with his own added zest, making his set a memorable one in the paddock.
Coinciding with Kwame was the whimsical Winston Surfshirt over on the main stage, the group’s funky, hip-hop tracks fit well with the Paddock’s overall relaxed persona in comparison to other festivals. As usual the six-piece was a picture of ‘chill’, smoking, drinking Galliano and having a little boogie on the stage, “Be About You”, “Ali D”and “Same Same” went off with the wild crowd leaning hard into the group’s soul hip-hop (vibe).
The Jungle Giants were one of the highlights of the second day, drawing near on the entire festival crowd to their energy packed indie rock. It was a (vogue) performance from the group, who have been a staple at Australian festivals since the release of Quiet Ferocity. With a set of fan-favourites including “Riot Girl”, “On Your Way Down” and “Feel The Way I Do” while frontman Sam Hale constantly egged on of dancing and singing, the crowd was completely swayed by the band’s atmosphere building setup.
The Presets ripped up the festival heading toward the midnight turn with their Hi-Viz album a centrepiece of the set as “Martini” quickly became an early set highlights. The power electronic duo set the Paddock stage alight with some incredible lighting and smoke displays that coupled with their high paced sound so well.
Haiku Hands finished the night over on the Vibestown stage, the foursome eliciting an pumping dance pit with their signature punch and zest; before the night continued in the form of local DJs.
FOUR STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Party In The Paddock is a annual music festival happening in White Hills, Tasmania.
