[Live Review] MOUNTAIN SOUNDS 2018 – Reverb Magazine Online

Mount Penang Gardens, Central Coast
Friday February 16 – Saturday February 17, 2018 :

Born from the brains of Cenny C citizens, Adam Masters and Clayton Parker, Mountain Sounds Festival has successfully conquered it’s fifth year running. The festival still remains one of the most relevant events in the area as it creates opportunity for local artists, businesses and organisations to connect with the community and reach out to an audience that can be somewhat tough to get through to due to the oversaturation of social media marketing. With a focus on ensuring environmental sustainability, the festival partnered with Green Connect and CitizenBlue this year and established the ‘fill up a bag’ initiative encouraging punters to collect rubbish in order to be placed in a draw to win MSF 2019 tickets. Sadly from what I saw it wouldn’t have been too hard filling up a bag. Cups and cans blanketed the ground with volunteers working around the clock trying to keep the litter to a minimum.

Local legends Soy, Chymes and The Sea Gypsies opened the main stage with the one and only Owen Wilson making an appearance during TSG set.

Photo Cred Instagram – @theseagypsies

Three very different artists yet the crowds for each one of them were huge for their time slots cementing the fact that a sense of community was strong. From what I assume was an effort in utilising recycled materials, the unicorn murals on the main stage were made from old cups, which in theory was a great idea but by the end of the first day half of them had blown away and the murals lost their effect.

“Electric Lady” is one of the best Aussie platforms out there and lucky for us they had their very own stage full of inspiring women. It was hard to stay away! The first EL voice I was fortunate to hear was that of Vena Klymo. A soft and timid young soul stealing the hearts of many in the crowd, Vena took on the Lana Del Rey breakthrough ‘Video Games’. Not an easy song to nail due to Lana’s unique ability to make monotone sexy but Vena blew us all away with the beautiful steady tone of her voice.

Another stand out was the lovely ray of sunshine Dominique Morgan. She has such a positive infectious energy surrounding her every time I see her perform. Intensified by the tight seven-piece band backing her, Dominique was the official scat queen of the whole weekend. Flawless technique, fun medley’s and relatable originals gave her the edge. Sydney’s up and coming Exhibitionist (Kirsty Tickle) caught my eye when I strayed from Amy Shark’s set for the bathroom. I never made it back to Amy. Exhibitionist took a song I can barely stand and made magic with it. Whenever ‘Boys’ by Charlie XCX starts playing on the radio I cringe and fumble to change the station.

The dirt was at peak dust storm from the dry weather when Hockey Dad started tearing up the Unicorn stage. People were coming out of the mosh covered head to toe in dirt, with bloodshot eyes and no doubt a concussion. The young duo killed it and not without being sun safe as drummer Billy Fleming shouted “I got fucking sun block in my eyes” while he wiped the thick white layer covering his face. Little did they know the next day they would be celebrating as the first band from Windang Wollongong to ever make the top ten Aria charts with their new album Blend Inn.

Touch Sensitive were just a warm up as they ‘Lay Down’ the pavement for Paces who blew the pants off everyone (well those who were wearing pants that is). Samples from Tkay Maidza’s ‘Switch Lanes’ and LDRU’s ‘Keeping Score’ kept the set fresh and the crowd engaged along with Paces’ high energy as he hit each pad. Woodes made an appearance in a tight metallic silver outfit and began singing her dance collaboration ‘I Belong Here’ before Paces ended his set with ‘Savages’.

I’m fairly sure I speak for the majority when I say that The Boat That Rocked soundtrack played in between each act was the perfect pick to keep spirits high. Sydney’s Hayden James delivered a similar set to Paces in terms of style with GRAACE (Grace Pitts) emerging for their collaboration ‘NUMB’. “Is this Eurovision” were the exact words I heard someone utter nearby when Kirin J Callinan started shrieking down the mic in his Matthew McConaughey Magic Mikesque get up. I’m not sure whether the dead air between each song was for dramatic effect or just KJC being indecisive but I was not a fan.

The Preatures on the other hand were incredible. Isabella (Izzi) Manfredi’s presence was so special and her acknowledgment of country was beautiful. When it came to ‘Yanada’, Izzi explained just how hard she had worked to get the language correct in the song. The band’s collaboration with Darug song woman Jacinta Tobin on ‘Yanada’ (which in the Dharug language translates to ‘moon’) was the result of Izzi wanting to connect with the land in which the band is based and to bring the ‘oppressed’ * language to light.

Grouplove was a complete raucous as expected performing all the faves ‘I’m With You’, ‘Tongue Tied’, ‘Ways To Go’, ‘Itchin’ On A Photograph’ and a bunch from their newest album Big Mess. Just in case the band found themselves ravenous during their set one thoughtful punter came up with a great solution. After rolling around on the stage with partner and baby mumma Hannah Hooper, Christian Zucconi must have noticed the delicious snack waiting for him and he leapt off the stage shouting the Beastie Boys lyrics “Listen all of y’all it’s a sabotage“.

On a more serious note, Hooper took things down a notch and spoke praise of Triple J crediting the station for the band’s successful career in Australia.

Mountain regulars Tropical Zombie were a bundle of sweaty fun with their plethora of rhythmical instruments. Specifically loved the double cowbell. Motez had the pleasure of a sunset slot with the beats growing deeper and dirtier as the darkness kicked in. Safia’s incorporation of Gorillaz samples and Eiffel 65’s ‘I’m Blue’ kept the party going strong until Peking Duck closed the festival with their renowned live party.

* The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/aug/04/isabella-manfredi-on-the-preatures-new-song-i-want-indigenous-language-on-the-radio-again

Reviewer : Louie Smith
Photographer : Kevin Bull

ALEX THE ASTRONAUT
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ALI BARTER
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AMY SHARK
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GANG OF YOUTHS
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GROUPLOVE
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HAYDEN JAMES
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HOCKEY DAD
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IVY
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KIRIN J CALLINAN
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PACES
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