Porteno Goes Wild with New Festival of Food and Music

Anyone who knows the Vivid Festival is well aware of the fact that the ethos behind the smorgasbord of cultural events revolves around bringing the best that the world has to offer to our city by the sea. Obviously, this also includes the creme de la creme of the home town, and this year is definitely no different.

As part of the Modulations event at Carriageworks, enlisted to feed the masses are Ben Milgate and Elvis Abrahanowicz, the rock and roll chefs behind one of Sydney's favourite restaurants, Porteno. However, according to the boys themselves, this isn't a chance to show off their cooking. Instead, they're bringing Wild Porteno to town.

Porteno Food for the Street

The food factor at Wild Porteno is an exciting drawcard for the festival, and Abrahanowicz tells us that "it'll be like Porteno, except outdoors and live." So expect the same strong, simple-done-well style that Porteno have been busting out for years, but with a twist that Abrahanowicz calls "an eat with your hands affair". There'll be the meat off the grill, brisket, and barbecue chicken wings, all served up like festival food.

Over four days, as part of Modulations, they'll be dishing up their take on the food they serve at the restaurant, while DJs with the Porteno stamp of approval provide the mood music. They'll be there while the Pet Shop Boys do their thing, as well as the other acts that form the Modulations line up.

While it's exciting to have all that music and art on show whilst eating some topnotch food, the truth is, according to Milgate, a little bit more complex. "We're doing the food and everything, but it's just a sideline to the main event." In the case of Wild Porteno, the main event is the showcase of bands from LA-based Wild Records. A bunch of rockabilly all stars, Milgate and Abrahanowicz assure that they're the real reason to get to Carriageworks on Monday, June 9 (the public holiday).

The home of modern rockabilly

Wild Records is the home of some of the best unsung heroes in the modern rockabilly scene, and the Porteno boys are stoked to be bringing them out to Australia. "There's really nothing like it," says Abrahanowicz, "it's a unique sound, it's the Wild sound." Milgate adds that Wild Porteno is "really just showcasing these guys to everyone."

They're not lying, either. The bands on Wild Records were recently the subject of an award-winning documentary, Los Wild Ones, which may or may not be shown before their appearance on stage at the festival. Milgate says that "Luis and the Wildfires are our favourite band. He's such a fucking legend, so we said that he has to come. Gizzelle has such an amazing voice, and the Delta Bombers are really amazing on stage."

After seeing the modern take on good old rock and roll, it's not hard to see why Milgate and Abrahanowicz have orchestrated this festival just to show them off to Sydney's discerning musical public. "We're just happy that they get to come out and we get to see them," says Abrahanowicz.

BORN TO BE WILD

It's no secret that Sydney will turn up for Porteno food, festival style. With Milgate and Abrahanowicz behind their customary grills, masses will flock to Carriageworks to gorge on the barbecued goodness. Coupled with Young Henrys, who are looking after the brew, the festival of music, art and food is guaranteed to please. But, to the guys who are cooking up this delightful storm, it's just an excuse to get a gig for some of their favourite bands, which isn't a bad thing at all.

Wild Porteno goes down on Monday, June 9, and brings together some outstanding bands, delectable drinks and tasty food that is sure to be a highlight of the Vivid festival. So, Sydney, let's get Wild.

Tickets for Wild Porteno are $49.80 from Ticketmaster.