FESTIVAL! | Secret Garden @ Brownlow Hill Farm | 24-25th February 2017
Australia’s best costume party pulled no punches for it’s ninth year running. Once again, the sold out Secret Garden Festival on Sydney’s outskirts has proven itself to be the cannot-miss event as the festival season draws to a close.
Gig Writer & Photographer Jodi Lewis shares the complete lowdown on this incredible weekend, introducing you to a mosaic of characters along the way...
The festival grounds are already abuzz early Friday afternoon with revelry. The costume theme for Friday? ‘Royal Rave’.
The campsites are speckled with punters meticulously applying makeup and tiaras. Entry to the festival is marked by a gang of uniformed bellhops hanging off some scaffolding being used as a concierge desk, and telling lewd (but hilarious) jokes through a megaphone. To guests’ delight, they are escorted to their intended destinations by well-mannered volunteers, who are even equipped with vaguely European accents a la Wes Anderson.
Soon kings, queens, playing cards, a group of Royal National Park Rangers, a bunch of Royal Gala apples and more begin to file into the forest, which has been transformed into a colourful maze of attractions and bright installations.
Among these is Dave’s House Party: “We have built a house in the forest and are are looking for someone called Dave to host a house party” reads the timetable. The house is chockers and absolutely pumping as people roll through at 8pm.
Passing the ‘Applause’ area where people sit and applaud passersby, many are making their way to the Carmen Verandah. Inside is an explosion of colour, a bar serving cheap cocktails, and an all-female DJ stage. Sydney-based FlexMami is spinning a set full of immaculately mixed classic party anthems to a hungry crowd.
Over at the Royal Court is the Australian Queen Tribute Show, where the audience is ecstatically singing along to the iconic tunes and busting out sick moves, or lounging on giant beach chairs in the glow of the stage, complete with a huge crown.
Soon it’s time for Urthboy; he’s gathered a huge crowd who are treated to a stellar performance including hits ‘Crushing Hard’, ‘Long Loud Hours’ and ‘The Arrow’.
Over at the Camp Queen stage, Set Mo are pumping out the tunes to a wild crowd who show no signs of slowing down at 11:30pm.
An hour later and the first night of Secret Garden is drawing to a close, as those with partying left in them spill back into the campsite or dance it out at the Wrangler Pub.
Saturday morning is overcast with sinister looking clouds overhead, threatening to pour down at any moment. It does little to dim the spirits of punters who are up early, some looking fresh as daisies, others not so much. Many refuel with avocado toast and coffee, anticipation for a huge day building.
The Ruminaters are slaying the Royal Court stage in the early afternoon with a tight set, setting the tone for the day.
Attendees have gone all out with their costumes for day two - the ‘anything goes’ day. Some must have taken weeks. Highlights include Pizza and BBQ Shapes boxes, a group of red solo cups, Milhouse Van Houten and the entire team of ‘The Average Joes’ from ‘Dodgeball’.
As with the previous day, it’s nothing but good vibes at the Carmen Verandah where a string of great artists keep the crowd dancing. Brisbane-based Baby Mama drops raucous and naughty tracks, followed by Nes and Jesswar Koori.
Back at the main stage, Triple J favourite Alex Lahey is smashing out tunes, and seems genuinely stoked to be there. ‘Ivy League’ seems to resonate with everyone, and the lyrics are screamed back to her with vigor. She closes with her hit ‘You Don’t Think You Like People Like Me’, claiming Secret Garden to be the best festival in the country before she departs.
It’s easy to get distracted by the attractions in the forest and spend hours in there; however, those who manage not to be sidetracked and make it to Japanese Wallpaper are treated to a dreamy set, followed by The Jezabels who are costumed and just as ready to party as anyone in the crowd.
Saturday night is a technicolour whirlwind of frivolity and high spirits, even when it starts raining at midnight.
Despite the entire event being a raging party, the vibes are mellow and friendly, the attendees respect one another, and it’s clear why Secret Garden Festival is and will continue to be one of the more highly regarded surviving festivals in Australia for years to come.
