REVIEW: VINTAGE VIBES FESTIVAL

We cried, we sang, we danced.

Image by Mike Lockheart

Across two days, punters filled Tomich Wines for a vino-fuelled party with some of Australia’s hottest acts. Despite the autumn Adelaide Hills air feeling extra-chilly, the dance floor could be counted on to heat things up. 

Violet Harlot opened the inaugural event clad in high-vis workwear and showing all the confidence of five guys ready to rock their first festival. We Move Like Giants, Kanada The Loop and Adrian Eagle followed the prog-punk-rockers, flying the flag for the local scene. 

Then the crowd went into overdrive as West Thebarton hit the stage. The pub-rock seven-piece masterfully worked through their heavy setlist, keeping the audience revved and ready with tracks like ‘Bible Camp’ and ‘Moving Out’. The latter had us shouting “But the west is best!” in time with frontman, Ray Dalfsen. 

Punters’ blood continued to pump when Italo-disco heartthrob Donny Benet played, with his short and sweet serenading set confirming that the ’80s-inspired synth king is indeed a smooth operator. Vintage vibes followed as Leo Sayer performed his late ’70s household hits before Babe Rainbow and Hermitude played back-to-back sets. Despite the difference between a psychedelic jam and raving electro hits, punters lapped both acts up.

The Temper Trap then played, and seeing the four-piece live was nothing short of special. Songs like ‘Fader’, ‘Love Lost’ and ‘Sweet Disposition’ have defined a generation of music lovers since the band’s Conditions album dropped in 2009. It was no surprise that the crowd was packed for their set, waiting patiently for the spine-tingling opening of ‘Sweet Disposition’ to start. 

Next up was King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard. Controlled chaos unfolded in the crowd as the acid rockers dipped in and out of their genre-defying back catalogue. Between the drum solos and blistering guitar riffs, a heaving mosh pit and insane stage presence, the band’s legendary status was certified. Then Tash Sultana closed out Day One with an electric set where the pint-sized, looping multi-instrumentalist proved they had more talent in their pinky finger than, perhaps, the entire festival crowd combined. 

Image by Mike Lockheart

Image by Mike Lockheart

The next day, hundreds of punters returned to the winery for a sun-soaked Sunday sesh. The locally-focused line-up showcased the depth of Adelaide’s music industry, with Trent Worley, Kotara, Oscar The Wild, Druid Fluids, Jess Day and the Wanderers all performing with slick skill and an infectious energy. Triple J’s 2019 Unearthed High winner, George Alice, then wowed the crowds with her gooey pop beats before the godfather of Australian techno, Late Nite Tuff Guy, kicked the party up a notch.

A saccharine set from San Cisco followed. The band interwove their biggest break-up tracks with alt-indie anthems, leaving a bittersweet love-in energy for Middle Kids’ performance of Triple J hits. ARIA-award-wining sibling duo Angus & Julia Stone then played a set that tugged on heartstrings. Despite having thousands of punters packed in front of the stage, it felt like the pair were singing personally for you. 

Image by Mike Lockheart

Image by Mike Lockheart

Gang of Youths held the festival finale, demonstrating why they’ve remained at the pinnacle of Australian indierock for almost a decade. Frontman Dave Le’aupepe’s high-octane, hip-shaking stage presence commanded the audience’s attention as the five-piece smoothly moved through their hour-long set. We cried, we sang, we danced. And when Le’aupepe decided he was bold enough to run through the crowd, we all lost our minds.

Adelaide has long missed the annual trek to the Hills after Groovin' the Moo relocated their Oakbank festivities to the Wayville Showground. Maybe it’s something about the rolling landscape, fresh air and intimate crowd size, but a countryside music event just has a bit of extra magic about it. 

Fingers crossed, we’ll be grooving at Vintage Vibes again next year.

Want more behind-the-scenes content? Watch our backstage chats with Gang of Youths, San Cisco, The Temper Trap and more here.