Live Review: Secret Garden Festival – Day One
Since it’s conception in 2009 the Secret Garden Festival has flown under the radar in a spectacular fashion, with festival goers (or gardeners) keeping this gem of an experience on the down low. As the lineup and location isn’t revealed until ticket allocations are exhausted, every attendee is purely there for the concept and the atmosphere, the killer lineup is just a bonus. If there is one festival you need to experience before it hits complete mainstream dilution, this is it.
“Sound from stages travelled perfectly and every corner was adorned in aesthetically pleasing quirky decor. Secret Garden lived up to its reputation as an interactive adult playground.”
Enter a creative labyrinth set in the lush greenery of Brownlow Hill where you will encounter a collection of mystics, queens, and space cowboys. Even with high expectations I found that the set up and layout was impressive, from the hidden pool table near the Wedding Factory, to Valhalla the world of comedic Vikings. Sound from stages travelled perfectly and every corner was adorned in aesthetically pleasing quirky decor. Secret Garden lived up to its reputation as an interactive adult playground.
Space Cowboy themed Friday was for the hardcore fans and the funemployed. Having substantially cooled off from the scorcher on Thursday punters clad in tinfoil, glitter, and Akubras filled the grassy areas. Far from the selfish rude city wankers it’s as if costumes gave everyone a new personality, there was electricity in the air. Everyone was your new best friend.
The first performance on my radar was Montaigne. She generally pushes the limits of sound but began with a flat stage presence. A stunning cover of Sia’s Chandelier set the crowd off showing off her extensive vocal range. Montaigne then ditched her guitar and rocked the crowd with I’m A Fantastic Wreck. She recently parodied this tune for triple j aptly renamed I’m A fantastic Greg.
Next up was the Cruisin’ Deuces. Their costumes resonated serious Roy Roger vibes. As they walked onto stage we knew it was about to get groovy, western style. We were blessed to hear sweet covers of White Lightening and Johnny Cash. If you were lucky enough to walk by, the band continued their set into day two. In a corner by the entrance they played a three-piece intimate acoustic performance with viewers enticed to sit down on the surrounding bales of hay. If there were a prize for MVP these boys would win hands down.
“We formed a team of five and managed to sneak into the semi-finals of Human Foosball, which is just as hilarious as it sounds.”
We formed a team of five and managed to sneak into the semi-finals of Human Foosball, which is just as hilarious as it sounds. After being completely smashed 5-4 we dragged our sorry arses to watch Palms to see front man Al seriously sweating it out in a purple unitard. Best onstage banter also goes to Al who waved at some officers and proclaimed that the “best costume goes to these two guys dressed as policemen. Very convincing, very beautiful”. This indie rock band is one to watch, they shredded up the main stage with their singles Summer Is Done With Us, Love, and Rainbows.
Speaking of the Po Po, the police presence was crazy! Even I could not miss the unsubtle Rambo tee-shirted, hiking boot-wearing plain clothed officers (is that what the kids wear these days?). Not surprising due to the current status of the Sydney nanny state and the fascination with monitoring everything fun…
Sydney trio Mansionair kept things simple swanning out in white and grey tees and playing it safe with their hit single Hold Me Down and other bangers like Speak Easy. Unreleased single Falling washed over us like a refreshing wave – give us more please! Thundamentals Emcee Tuka has been nailing his recent live shows. The dose of hip-hop broke up the alternative vibe with easy beats and a surprising cover of Big Jet Plane. Sex On Toast boasted a 9-piece funk band and seemed promising but ended up amounting to sounding like a white boy Barry White.
Hungry for a snack, I rolled over to the strategically placed food trucks by the main stage. Using my foodie intuition (i.e. picking the longest line) I chose Tsuru, self-described über-hip Asian cuisine, and it was heaven in my mouth! Shout out to Michael whose sassy but fantastic service delighted myself and others patiently waiting for the generous servings of pork crackling and teriyaki chicken to come. The festival itself is not for profit, and this translated into $6 ciders and beers and $7.50 spirits. I was very impressed with their seamless cashless wristband system that meant I was able to go wallet free.
With a full belly I was able to wait for Dorsal Fin, the first band to play later than scheduled. But they were worth it, hauntingly beautiful! Pick of the night had to go to The Meeting Tree who was the most entertaining duo by far. The kings of Aussie hip hop Joyride and Raph Dixon got the entire crowd bouncing to r u a cop and revived viral Youtube sensation Tunak Tunak Tun with a sick remix. They kept it up with I Pay My Tax (I Hate Myself) and First Place Part 1 getting the entire crowd to chant “Boy I fucked your girlfriend”. Dropping their recent single Life is Long: Slow Down The Meeting Tree solidified their dominance. These guys are a definite must see!
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