St Jerome’s Laneway Festival @ Brisbane Showground’s – 10/02/2018

​As we caught our bus from the Gold Coast to Brisbane, we arrived quite early. Stepping outside we were met with an intense heat wave that instantly made our bodies begin to drip in the sweltering heat.  Due to anticipation you might say…. No, just pure sweat!
 
In true Laneway style as we arrived at the gate to enter two young men brushed passed us as another young man in a Hawaiian shirt, yelling ‘police, police’ chased them down. Luckily the line didn’t take long and we entered the festival quickly trying to familiarize ourselves with the stage set up so we could make it to Dream Wife. We did. And these ladies didn’t disappoint.

From the ‘Good Better Best’ Stage, we move slightly left to catch Rolling Coastal Blackouts Fever, on the ‘Never Let It Rest’ stage, playing all our favourites from their E.P French Press.  I’m so glad we got to catch these guys again before they prepare for world domination. As the set finishes, once again we flick our attention to the right and young gun Billie Eilish takes the 'Good Better Best' stage and BOOM! she openes with crowd favourite 'Bellyache'. This girl slays! Eilish belts out singles 'Ocean Eyes' that is the first song that garnered Eilish global attention and 'Copycat', she slows it down with a stripped-back rendition of Drake's 'Hotline Bling'
 
As the hot air rises my body begins to drip like a tap.. but its too early to slow down. Push through we must and we head of to catch Sylvan Esso at the ‘Future Classic’ stage and man this duo powerful. All the way from America this electronic pop duo from Durham, North Carolina, consists of singer Amelia Meath and producer Nick Sanborn. And they seriously brought the energy, belting out favourites like ‘Die Young’. 

For the next three acts we stayed our butts at the main stage for Wolf Alice, The Internet, Father John Misty and Mac DeMarco. Stoked levels were through the roof, being my first time seeing Wolf Alice, i was blown away. Her stage presence, driving vocals and all round domination was incredible to watch. i was mesmerised and just wished i could transport into her body to see the amazing crowd she had all in awe.  Father John Misty opened his set with 'I Love you, Honeybear'  and the crowd begin to whale along to the harmonious melody, swaying and singing along to this creatures beautiful voice. 

We moved right to the front for Mac Daddy as this was a moment not to be missed. Opening his set with 'Salad Days'; it wasn't long until he grabbed a beer and cigarette. Slowly his tongue gently caresses the microphone, and he strips off his shirt as woman shriek through the crowd. To the left hand side of the stage you could see Anderson.Paak and his entire band The Free Nationals, sitting stage right, at a great big fold-up table during Mac’s set, scoring each song out of 10, holding up cardboard cards. 

At some point during the War on Drugs set at Laneway Festival on Saturday night, when the guitar solo kicks in just after the fourth verse of 'Strangest Thing' the crowd was silent. Everyone was astonished, amazed and downright ecstatic. This was a defining moment you see for the music lovers. A moment that many may not get to live again. So they stood there, encapsulated. 

This years Laneway was better than expected, although it was hard to navigate the variety of music and the capability of the musicians exceeded expectations. Heres to 2019. 

FULL GALLERY HERE
Photography - Alix Mackenzie