Reviewed on Saturday March 14
You know what’s refreshing these days? A festival where those in attendance are merely present for the music. Not for a shitty low-res Instagram photo or to be that ignorant bloke up the back who didn’t realise that seven beers ago was seven too many. You know what I’m talking about.
Wollongong’s boutique Farmer & The Owl Festival occurred across four main stages; an all-encompassing musical showcase fetched together by music label/booking agency Yours & Owls and record store Music Farmers. Throw in some Sailor Jerry, Coopers and Converse, and that’ll give you one hell of an occasion. An impressive array of talent was on show, spanning from the US lo-fi outfit Bass Drum Of Death to local lipstick-flaunting inhabitants The Pinheads.
It’s always difficult to play at the start of any event, but The Cherry Dolls rose to the challenge, and succeeded. Early risers were also welcomed to the kaleidoscopic dreamscapes delivered by Richard In Your Mind. The sunlit shower of sitars and synthesisers eased the masses into what became an afternoon of sonic goodness.
By the time The Walking Who took to the stage, festivities were in full swing. The Wollongong natives were at their prime during ‘With Roses’, which followed an almost unrecognisable rendition of buddies Angus & Julia Stone’s ‘Wasted’.
Spookyland’s set came towards that crucial point at a festival when the decision is between sitting down and stopping drinking or having a few more. One snarl from those Bob Dylan-dipped vocals was enough to have anyone in earshot down on their knees.
Festivities kicked on well into the night with the likes of Step-Panther, Shining Bird and Drunk Mums providing the evening’s soundtrack. Highlights featured the seasoned performances from DZ Deathrays and Bad//Dreems alongside home-grown garage duo Hockey Dad, who had all those before them eating out of the palm of their hands.
As the night drew to a close, the paddock-revelling masses exited the University of Wollongong’s grounds. The tired eyes and happy ears weren’t too bad of an excuse to leave the house.
