Live Review: The Winners & Losers of Mountain Sounds 2018
There were some pretty clear winners and losers across the two days at Mountain Sounds, so here's an outline of the good, the bad and the dusty.
Mountain Sounds Festival, located in the picturesque Mt. Penang Parklands on the Central Coast, entered 2018 with a brave and daring move - turn their traditionally one-day affair into a two-day spectacular. It's a pretty risky move to try and pull off, considering how much easier it is to cram a one day lineup with acts than to do that twice over. However, once the lineup was dropped - with Peking Duk and Gang of Youths leading the pack - it was clear the risk was going to pay off, and it did. With that being said, there were some pretty clear winners and losers across the two days at Mt. Penang Parklands, so here's an outline of the good, the bad and the dusty.
WINNER: LOCAL ACTS
When festival bills are announced, usually local acts are often left for a Triple J Unearthed competition to decide or - worse - left to the microscopic print at the bottom of the lineup. Mountain Sounds, using their optimal location wedged between Newcastle and Sydney, were able to actually give local acts from the Newcastle/Central Coast are a decent time slot. RACHEL MARIA COX tore up their set as the sun was going down on the Friday, while the delightfully punk-fuelled RAAVE TAPES did the same thing on Saturday. But, perhaps MS' crowning local moment was giving NINAJIRACHI - a Coastie girl - her well deserved spot on the main stage on Friday afternoon. Playing to a crowd of locals who've seen her come-up and out-of-towners who want to be a part of the glory, the producer absolutely charmed her way through her 3pm set with glittering ease and shiny synths. Ninajirachi season is just beginning.
Don't miss a beat with our FREE daily newsletter
LOSER: EVERYONE'S RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
You'd think that the worst sort of climate you can have at a festival is torrential downpour. Well, after coughing up dust for over 48 hours, having a nose full of black boogers and watching a security guard get wheeled away on a stretcher after having an asthma attack, we can tell you that you're wrong.
WINNER: GANG OF YOUTHS
Gang of Youths are no stranger to winning at this point. Arguably the biggest band in the country right now, their set on the Friday night was spellbinding and electrifying from start to finish. Dave Le'aupepe's stage presence could lead him to be heralded as one of the greatest Australian performers of the 21st century, as is uninhibited dance moves and emotion bleeding out of him is completely captivating. But, on top of that, substance lies behind the band's performance. Each member of the band wearing Camp Cope's 'THE PERSON WEARING THIS SHIRT STANDS AGAINST SEXUAL ASSAULT AND DEMANDS A CHANGE' shirt that were released as a response to the overwhelming amount of sexual assault occurrences at music festivals in Australia. On top of that, before belting into closer 'Say Yes To Life', Le'aupepe took the time to really push the seemingly simple message of "Men: Don't Touch Women If They Don't Want You To" and how festivals should be a safe space for all. Amen.
LOSER: KIRIN J CALLINAN
While his set was certainly something to behold, Kirin J Callinan and his oversized cowboy hat really just can't help themselves, can they? After what would seemingly be a problem-free event for the highly controversial and problematic performer, that was all thrown out the window during the opening moments of SAFIA's set. As the synths began to boom in 'Make Them Wheels Roll', who should stumble on to the stage but Callinan. At first, it seemed like he might be there to perform vocals, but once security ran on to escort him off it became clear - once a pest, always a pest.
WINNER: PEKING DUK
Say what you want about the duo, but they are truly all-conquering. Introduced by the Sophie Monk, via a pre-recorded clip, Adam and Reuben completely erupted on to the stage with pyrotechnics galore. As the massive crowd jumped through Peking Duk's greatest hits, the boys stepped down and gave us some live instrumentation which was a refreshing change. Not only that, but their fearlessness when it comes to remixing untouchable songs like those of Whitney Houston and The Killers cements themselves as EDM legends to be proud of.
LOSER: THE WEIRD 10-MINUTE APOCALYPSE THAT HAPPENED ON SATURDAY AFTERNOON
As everyone started to amble out of the main stage dancefloor following GROUPLOVE's performance, those who angled their heads towards the sky would've noticed a tear in the intricately-designed makeshift roof (made of fabric) that was placed over the mosh. While obviously with safety in mind, giant red letters that read 'EVACUATE THE MAIN STAGE DANCEFLOOR' flashed on the screen as the roof was taken down. However, at the same time, entrance into the VIP area was completely closed off by security for reasons still unbeknownst to us. On top of that, Eftpos machines across the festival had completely gone down, which basically left punters in a rightful panic. All of these problems were remedied in about 20 minutes and - after a few worried messages of 'is everything okay?!' from people who saw the evacuation message online - all was back to normal. But something was definitely off, and I for one am blaming KJC.
WINNER: GROUPLOVE, WHO GAVE US THE SET OF THE WEEKEND
With all members donning all back and playing in between two inflatable gums, when GROUPLOVE took the stage at 6:40 on Saturday evening it was bound to be a non-stop party. Opening with the anthemic 'Welcome To Your Life', the crowd did not stop moving, dancing or jumping and nor did the band. The steel pan drums in 'Shark Attack' transported us to the Caribbean and the eruptive guitar in 'Tongue Tied' took us to the band's hometown of Los Angeles. But, it was during their surprise and abrupt cover of David Bowie's 'Space Oddity' where everything tied completely together. Bowie was above this world, a talent that was so colossal his spirit always seemed extra-terrestrial. Grouplove, while nowhere near Bowie's level, clearly aimed to take their massive crowd to that same place of other-worldliness. This place was a utopia that temporarily blocked out the dust, the heat and whatever troubles waited for everyone once this set was over. It was an oasis among a desert, and for those lucky enough to get a taste, it was nearly too good to handle.
Image by Dan Lynch for Purple Sneakers
Words by JACKSON LANGFORD
SEE ALSO
More From Our Network
