Lost Paradise was more than just a music festival it was an escape. Check out the 5 ways that Lost Paradise differed to the regular festival going experience.
__________________________________________
1 – The Lost Paradise festival grounds…
Driving into Glenworth Valley and its surroundings immediately gives a feeling of letting go, leaving the tense Sydney city and getting lost amongst the green plains and shade of the trees above. Unlike many other camping festivals, there is no dust, mud (just yet) or lack of shade to escape the harsh sun, with the air filtered and grounds lush. As for inside the festival grounds, it is a forest of stages, bars and art installations entangled amongst the open valley and surrounding trees providing a fresh and invigorating atmosphere like no other. Oh, and there’s a creek running through the camping and festival site… and horses. So much nature!
2 – The perfect mixture between live bands and DJs…
The Lost Paradise lineup was diverse and paid respect to the late Pete’s Ridge site that it is set on by not overwhelming punters with a dance-music packed lineup. Angus & Julia Stone and Saskwatch headlined the first night, while young surf-rockers Lime Cordial showed their worth to a wild crowd on New Years Eve. City Calm Down and North East Party House also both played to strong numbers, bringing their electro-infused rock to the fields. On the DJ front hot favorite’s Jamie XX and Four Tet did not disappoint despite clashing set times, while Jon Hopkins took his NYE crowd on an audio-visual journey with his luscious, cinematic sounds, crashed with house and techno. Local hero’s Hayden James, Touch Sensitive, Tkay Maidza and George Maple all gave memorable sets, with a big 2016 ahead for them all.
3 – Taking a seat at the Lost Feast…
One of the keys to getting through these three-day camping festivals is your diet. While most will commit to warm goon and tins of tuna, Lost Paradise offered a long table banquet meal presented by Bondi’s finest Corner House, prepared by Award Winning UK Chef, Simon Sutcliff. Surrounded by old and new friends, festivalgoers gathered to a tasty evening meal of Spiced Coconut Gazpacho, BBQ Chicken with Violet Jus and Spiced Ratatouille Tenderstem, with Banana Panna Cotta for desert. The jovial atmosphere rippling with live music had everyone feeling perfectly playful before hitting the stages for their favorite acts. The feast is one I would highly recommend to get you through the final day of Lost Paradise!
4 – The Lost Paradise Activities…
When a break from the music was needed, a group of friends and I set off to checkout these extra activities that we kept hearing about. On offer was Kayaking, Abseiling, Quad Bikes, Laser Tag and even Horse Riding for the kids (and adults too – that was fun to watch). Lost Paradise definitely went above and beyond to offer other experiences than just good music. On the final day of Lost Paradise, there was the annual skinny dip in the lake followed by all sorts of costumes for the dress up day.
5 – House & Techno meets the forest…
Lost Paradise’s 2015 lineup had a very strong dedication to house and techno, with their Lost Disco stage set up perfectly to accommodate for the music about to be laid down. Poised against one of the valley’s mountain walls, the triangular stage lit up at night as colourful projections surrounded the artists. On night one, dirty melancholic house lord Finnebassen took headline duties, with bass babe Anna Lunoe warming the crowd up before hand. Night two saw Berlin’s Motor City Drum Ensemble bring groove early in the afternoon, before Four Tet showed his diversity with a tech–house set that was a definite highlight. Finally, on New Years Eve Daniel Avery and AMÊ performed two sets back-to-back that had everyone talking, seeing the techno house lords slay four hours straight into the New Year.
__________________________________________
