Rockfeedback at Playground Weekender 2011, Australia
By: Samantha Hall
Being somewhat of a festival veteran, spending most of my life DJing across the globe- trekking from field, to African dessert, up snowy piste mountains and to the sweaty clubs of Ibiza, I was somewhat dubious about being told that Playground Weekender was the “best festival in the world”.
Now in its fifth year, this boutique festival takes to the stunning river banks of Wisemans Ferry in New South Wales, Australia. Heady and colourful- filled with beautiful people clad in costume. It sounds very similar in energy and soul to that of Secret Garden Party (a personal annual UK favourite of mine).. but in Australia.. in the sunshine.
The only way to get to the site is by ferry, so although it’s only an hour or so from Sydney- it has that sense of exotic escapism.. of stumbling upon a secret debauched hideout in the middle of the Australian bush.
I’m promised a hedonistic weekend of grinning Aussys dancing their socks off, skinny dipping in the communal ‘Club Tropicana’ swimming pool and a completely eclectic yet marvelous musical line up. They keep it lo-fi with a scattering of world class DJs & old-skool hit masters. I’ll be getting my ‘jungle boogie’ on with Kool & The Gang and putting my hands in the air *like I just don’t care* with De La Soul. Or getting my indie pout on, vibing to The Like, Kate Nash and Cut Copy.
As for DJs, I can’t wait to bow down to the greatness of Norman Jay, Mock & Toof, Four Tet and Andy Fletcher (of Depeche Mode) who will be making a guest appearance. And as for womping- you know Tricky and Heidi are going to provide the goods.
Costume I’m told is pretty much compulsory.. my festival comrades attended as the ‘tie-die army’ last year but nothing I reckon could top the Captain Birdseye & his 10 fish fingers that feature in the Playground promotional film.
Nothing brings a glow to your heart like a glimpse of winter sunshine. Plus, I’m trekking across the globe purely to attend so you know I’m going to be pumped and ready. Watch out Oz, hold onto your vegemite.. Sam Hall/Goldierocks aka Rave Squirrel is on her way!
- Playground Weekender takes place from Thursday 17th- Sunday 20th Feb. Check back next week for Goldierocks’ in depth review.