Dancing furiously and determinedly to CHVRCHES' 'Clearest Blue' on a slippery, beer-soaked hill after inhaling a juicy, drippy Mary's burger and a Young Henrys brewski might not be a wise activity for everyone. Some might say it's not highly recommended. But others, like the punters at St Jerome's Laneway Festival, enjoyed many a precarious, glorious moment such as this for the Sydney leg of Laneway 2016.
Landing at the Sydney College of the Arts in Rozelle on Sunday, February 7, Laneway promised one of its most eclectic lineups yet — with old favourites and new buzzy hypecards alike. Donning big plush bows reminiscent of Kiki's Delivery Service, headliner Grimes and her sporty squad tore up the Park Stage. If you've ever felt the crippling weariness of watching someone with more energy than you'll ever physically know, you might have seen Grimes live. Equally energetic but less hair-flicky was hugely hyped up Las Vegas newcomer Shamir, bringing his insanely catchy singles and debut album Ratchet to hungry Sydney ears.
Hometown hero Flume returned to the Sydney stage in fine form and with a slick new production set-up, dropping a few crowdpleasing singles before delving deep, deep, deep into newer heavier material. Fellow local goalkickers Big Scary delivered a near-perfect set for their triumphant return, Hermitude generated one of the most packed-out audiences of the day and Violent Soho boiled up an already sweaty, sweaty crowd (many wearing crisp new 'HELL FUCK YEAH' t-shirts).
Straight-up the best set of the day? Thundercat. LA producer and bass virtuoso Stephen Bruner — famed for his work with Flying Lotus, Kendrick Lamar and Erykah Badu — knocked it out of the art school with his signature brand of session jazz fusion finesse. Kudos to drummer Justin Brown for leaving our faces in a puddle on the grass.
Closing out the eve, punters crammed into the Mistletone stage for an epic set from Canadian duo Purity Ring. Encased by their signature light string forest, Megan James and Corin Roddick made Laneway revellers worship at the altar of autotune and giant crystal organs. The other half of the remaining crowd squished into the Red Bull stage for a mighty set from trap prince Hudson Mohawke.
Also apparently QT is a thing. I feel old.
Images: Andy Fraser.
Words: Shannon Connellan.
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