There are very good reasons why the Meredith Music Festival is celebrating the 32nd edition of the event. It’s a combination of the vision of the Nolan Family, who own the farm that the event is hosted on and the support of the community who come together to make it happen. There are a few rules: No Dickheads, no glass, gas bottles or cooking appliances, but other than that, the campgrounds are as much a part of the festival as the amphitheatre itself.
A veritable army of volunteers and local community groups work tirelessly behind the scenes to make the festival a success. From the CFA to the local football club, the Community Tucker Tent and volunteers who donate time in exchange to a ticket, there is a real sense of shared respect. In the words of Wadawurrung Country elder, Uncle Barry, it sometimes feels that the world has spiralled into madness.
The term “Yakangee”, where Anakie, a nearby town, gets its name, means “from one Mother”. Because in the end, we are all from one Mother. You might be a little strange (who isn’t right, says me), but you are not strangers. The land recognises spirit. It feels you. Your vibrations from singing and dancing are felt. Give hugs. Care for this sacred place. Care for each other.
This year we pay respect to the Golden Sun Moth, an elusive moth that represents the fragility of our ecosystem.
The music is as diverse and carefully curated as the land itself. From the manic energy of Fat White Family to the beautiful soulful vibe of Angie McMahon, the amphitheatre stage had something happening virtually 24 hours of the day. Frenzee started Friday’s musical offerings after the traditional Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony. The trio are siblings who were born in Melbourne, but raised in Crete. Their music is vibrant, hard hitting and captivating. What a way to start the day.
Fat White Family have a reputation for outrageous shows and had people talking even before they hit the stage.The British rockers led by brothers Lias and Nathan Saoudi, cavorted, twisted and got up close and personal with the audience. It truly was a manic experience that was an early highlight of a solid lineup. New Jersey guitarist Mk.gee performed an electrifying set that had the audience dancing and grooving away. The mood becomes more nihilistic indie punk with Waxahatchee before becoming more psychedelic with masked musicians Glass Beams.
The evening’s offerings include funky, gestating singer Genesis Owusu, party girl and bad babysitter, Princess Superstar, and the maximalist madness of Barcelona’s Mainline Magic Orchestra. DJ PGZ plays into the early hours with a driving bass-haevy drum and bass set.
Saturday morning opens with the City of Ballarat Municipal Brass Band, who have been a fixture of the festival since 2005. A captivating performance by Lurita singer songwriter Keanu Nelson was an early morning treat. Combining the themes of gospel sounds and desert reggae, he evokes the themes of longing for country.
Young, loose, and punk as hell would be one way to describe Melbourne band Billiam & The Split Bills. They remined me of the energy of the early punk rock days, with an attitude to match.
Then we have another form of punk with the Philly four-piece band Mannequin Pussy. Lead singer Marisa Dabice croons, caresses and erupts into moments of ecstasy as she prances around stage.
Just when you think that you have the music all worked out, Leo Sayer jumps on stage to showcase a veritable greatest hits of the 70’s. Songs such as “You Make Me Feel Like Dancing”, “More Than I Can Say”and “Raining in my Heart” had the audience join in on a communal sing-song. At 77 years of age, Sayer was as energetic as in his heyday. He was enjoying himself as much as the audience.
One of the most anticipated artists was Angie McMahon. Having just returned from a European tour, she seems genuinely overwhelmed with gratitude to be playing the Amphitheatre. “Saturn returning” was beautifully uplifting and luminous.
As the evening progressed, the party kept going. The funky duo, Party Dozen, the robo funk of Zapp, followed by New York post-punk acid-synth DJ, The Dare, it’s like a party that never stops. By now, the amphitheatre is awash in glowing neon and the crowd is either settled into their couch positions on the hill or grooving away in the Supernatural. UK DJ Jamie XX keeps the energy alive, all under one roof raving. He knows how to keep a crowd moving.
Techno DJ’s IN2STELLAR keep the beats well into the wee hours before Gadigal DJ Ayebatonye brings in the morning light.
Sunday morning sees Master Song running a Tai Chi class before music from post-punk rockers Essendon Airport, indie soul singer Yara and cool sounds from Cool Sounds. The final event of the day is the traditional nude run known as the Meredith Gift. Started in 1994 as a joke in a way, it has become a crowd favourite.
In summary, the Meredith Music Festival is a celebration of the strange, where community comes together to connect as one. A beautiful and uplifting three days of music and community spirit.
FIVE STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
For more information about the festival check out their website.
