Melbourne turned on the sunshine for this year’s Laneway Festival, making it the perfect weathered day to lose oneself in the music that filled the eclectic laneways of its inner-western suburbs.
Arriving shortly after midday, I did what all wise festival goers do (open for debate) and made sense of my surroundings… I mean, how else am I going to know which direction I need to absolutely leg it in when there’s an inevitable timetable overlap?
Disco monkeys The Babe Rainbow saw me kick my Laneway experience off, before moving on to dance/electronic duo Kllo who brought a great energy to really set the festival vibes in motion.
The gorgeous Billie Eilish was next to grace my ears with her sweet sounds, before I found myself front and center for Miss Blanks’ energetic and oh so fun performance.
Again, ensuring I kept my festival smarts about me, I decided it was time for an afternoon food and shade stop. With so many mouth-watering options on offer, I found myself severely indecisive on what I would choose to fuel myself with… after all, this meal could have meant the difference between me lasting the duration of the festival or not (big decisions!). Settling on loaded fries, I shunned myself as I realised I could have been much more adventurous in my choice, but I let it pass because a drink in one hand and loaded fries in the other is never a bad combo if you ask me.
Having joined forces with Marvel Studios’ Black Panther, the collaboration saw a rain forest inspired space set up where patrons could kick back on a bean bag, while mist sprayed over them to cool them. An absolute winner in my book!
Refueled and recuperated, it was off to have a groove to alt-pop four-piece, City Calm Down, whose performance truly set the tone for the remainder of the night and were a personal highlight of mine.
As I made the trek from Dean Turner Stage over to The Very West Stage in preparation for what Mac Demarco was about to unleash on the crowd, I encountered electronic/dance act UV boi, who set the party in full motion with what felt like a mid-evening rave in the middle of the street.
As can only be expected, Mac Demarco and his quirky charm stole the show. I mean, I couldn’t even physically see him (the crowd was THAT large and I’m THAT short) and I can still confidently say his performance was next to none.
Buzzing from the energy and drenched in festival vibes, ODESZA closed out my night and were the perfect ending to what was an absolutely glowing day.
I may or may not already be counting down the days to next year’s Laneway Festival…
Reviewed by Helena Metzke