The Travelling Fairy DancerFestival Fever
May 5th 2011 08:11
Hands up all the festival addicts? It’s no point denying my addiction; it started with Splendour in the Grass and has progressed steadily over the years into full blown festival fever.
Byron Bay Blues Fest: 21st – 26th April 2011
Byron Blue Blues Fest always tops my list, and this year, for the second time at Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm, the line-up exceeded even jaded festival-goer’s expectations.
Most notably, Bob Dylan, BB King, Grace Jones, Ben Harper and The Relentless7, ZZ Top, John Legend and Wolfmother.
With wide-open spaces, gum-boot worthy mud pits, food stalls that only Byron can offer – think organic doughnuts – dreadlock making wizards, original clothing designs for sale, drink tents with no lines and a chilled out vibe minus the extreme security seen at many festivals these days – quite simply, no one does festivals like Byron Bay.
My top three highlights this year? Watching an enlightening interview with Xavier Rudd half an hour before being transported to another planet via his extraordinary live performance. Eating pizza, than Laksa, than pizza, than organic doughnuts – and topping it with the best wine I’ve ever tasted at a festival. Finally – ending Friday night with the infectious, energetic acoustic talent of Rodrigo Y Gabriela – the guitar strumming duo personify the indescribable feeling expressed through music, and the coming together of music lovers.
Caxton St Seafood and Wine Festival : Sunday 1st May 2011
A festival without the hefty price tag ($27.00 entry fee), Brisbane’s Caxton Street Seafood and Wine festival merges food stalls, music, circus performers and a street party vibe with the famed restaurant strip’s flare for fine dining and trendy pub culture.
Main stages blocked off either end of the street, and, without glancing at a program, we managed to stumble on Joel Turner’s beat boxing prowess, Ash Grunwald’s surfing inspired acoustic blues tunes and the Velvet Cigar’s Moulin Rouge meets Burlesque strip show, complete with free buffet lunch of oysters, fresh prawns and Mediterranean dishes.
Off street, Casablanca, Gambaro’s, Bohemia Bar and the ever popular Caxton Hotel exploded with thirsty festival goers, hungry for a taste of unique cuisine. Sirromet Wines provided mini bottles of perfect ‘street sipping’ beverages from their LOVE series and the pubs provided cans of beer, spirits and a healthy dose of friendly bar tender culture.
With Splendour in the Grass at Woodford to look forward to from 29th – 31st July, (Coldplay, Jane’s Addiction, Kanye West, Eskimo Joe and The Vines), everyone in the near vicinity, or addicts from afar, can look forward to the continual feeding of their festival fever.
Hats (and gumboots) off to that.
Byron Bay Blues Fest: 21st – 26th April 2011
Byron Blue Blues Fest always tops my list, and this year, for the second time at Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm, the line-up exceeded even jaded festival-goer’s expectations.
Most notably, Bob Dylan, BB King, Grace Jones, Ben Harper and The Relentless7, ZZ Top, John Legend and Wolfmother.
With wide-open spaces, gum-boot worthy mud pits, food stalls that only Byron can offer – think organic doughnuts – dreadlock making wizards, original clothing designs for sale, drink tents with no lines and a chilled out vibe minus the extreme security seen at many festivals these days – quite simply, no one does festivals like Byron Bay.
My top three highlights this year? Watching an enlightening interview with Xavier Rudd half an hour before being transported to another planet via his extraordinary live performance. Eating pizza, than Laksa, than pizza, than organic doughnuts – and topping it with the best wine I’ve ever tasted at a festival. Finally – ending Friday night with the infectious, energetic acoustic talent of Rodrigo Y Gabriela – the guitar strumming duo personify the indescribable feeling expressed through music, and the coming together of music lovers.
Caxton St Seafood and Wine Festival : Sunday 1st May 2011
A festival without the hefty price tag ($27.00 entry fee), Brisbane’s Caxton Street Seafood and Wine festival merges food stalls, music, circus performers and a street party vibe with the famed restaurant strip’s flare for fine dining and trendy pub culture.
Main stages blocked off either end of the street, and, without glancing at a program, we managed to stumble on Joel Turner’s beat boxing prowess, Ash Grunwald’s surfing inspired acoustic blues tunes and the Velvet Cigar’s Moulin Rouge meets Burlesque strip show, complete with free buffet lunch of oysters, fresh prawns and Mediterranean dishes.
Off street, Casablanca, Gambaro’s, Bohemia Bar and the ever popular Caxton Hotel exploded with thirsty festival goers, hungry for a taste of unique cuisine. Sirromet Wines provided mini bottles of perfect ‘street sipping’ beverages from their LOVE series and the pubs provided cans of beer, spirits and a healthy dose of friendly bar tender culture.
With Splendour in the Grass at Woodford to look forward to from 29th – 31st July, (Coldplay, Jane’s Addiction, Kanye West, Eskimo Joe and The Vines), everyone in the near vicinity, or addicts from afar, can look forward to the continual feeding of their festival fever.
Hats (and gumboots) off to that.
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