Beside the beach in the Breakwall Sundowner tourist park Thursday afternoon saw tents erected, inflatable pools blown up and combi vans roll in, all bunking down prepared for the forecasted weekend of rain. Despite this prediction Festival of the Sun lived up to its name and bikinis, thongs and bare chests were out in full force. More affectionately known as FOTSun by locals and frequenters this small festival is one of two festivals in all of Australia that permit a BYO policy which makes for a cheap weekend but a messy one too.The festivals single stage located within minutes walk from all accommodation on site allowed for the optimal festival experience; no running between stages, tossing up between the two headliners or getting distracted by the jagermiester dance tent, the set up was simple and easy.
Music kicked off late Friday afternoon, allowing for many a punters to return from the beach sporting sun burn to boot but that didn’t stop them from rocking out to P-Mac locals The Pixiekills. As the sky went inky black and filled with stars that no city festival could ever offer, the crowd began warming up with Floating Me and Young Revelry before Art Vs. Science hit the stage. Fresh from their ARIA win the boys pumped out their requisite party renditions, and despite touring all this year they sung, played and danced to them like it was their first live show, setting the mood for the rest off the night with many partying late into the evening.
Triple J Unearthed winners Dirty Little Rebels kicked off the next morning and though many a sunburnt punters lay hung over in their hot tents, those that ventured out were served a breakfast treat of young rock and roll talent reminiscent of Grinspoon, with lead singer and Wauchope local Phil Jamison spotted checking them out. The afternoon flew by with Guineafowl and Brothers Grim gracing the stage followed by the bluesy sounds of The Snowdroppers. Hip thrusting front man Wishbone, showed his ability to control a crowd in true rock’n’roll style, instructing everybody to sit down during their cover of Shout, even singling out punters that didn’t to stay down, till he belted out the chorus. We predict these boys will frequent festivals through out 2012 and will creep higher and higher up the bill as they do.
Festival staple Hungry Kids of Hungary were energetic as always, followed by the sultry sounds of Dan Sultan whilst the sun began to set on what was an epic weekend but the festival was still far from over. Ladyhawke closed the weekend and even though she was not the most charismatic front woman, her band made up for the energy she lacked in and got the crowd dancing. Her indie pop hits wrapped up the festival on a high note and though the bands were over party's in tents, cabins and footpaths continued on till the wee hours of the morning, with the sky treating us to a lunar eclipse which was a beautiful end to a wonderful weekend.
