Well, it’s all over for another year. The sore heads and sunburnt necks will last long into this week, serving as a small reminder of the amazing time spent at Foreshore Music Festival. Returning for its sixth consecutive year, the history of a diverse and ambitious line-up with the very best of international, Australian and local acts is a testament to the huge success that is Foreshore. This year was no different, in the new beautiful surrounds of Commonwealth Park, festival goers of all types had November 24th marked off their calendar’s months in advance.
The sense of excitement was felt across Canberra early Saturday morning as many headed to their ‘before-shore’ venue’s; to make plans which were surely to be lost, raise the eyebrow of concerned parents at the early hour of ‘first-drinks’ and bask in the glorious spring sunshine. Upon arrival at Commonwealth Park the vibe was electric, the smiles were utterly contagious and the event staff overwhelmingly friendly and helpful. Ball Park Music kicked off Foreshore with fun summery beats that turned smiles into looks of glee and hair twirling. Before long however, the first tough decision of the day was upon you, Major Lazer inside the Hi-Top stage or Example out at the Kicks stage? The weather helped this decision and Example won my vote. Fresh off his new album release during the week fanatics and new comers to Example were dancing in unison to his diverse sound and utterly brilliant beats. The build-up could not have been better for the headline act of the day Calvin Harris. The mood finally burst during Calvin Harris’ epic near two hour set, demolishing his chart favourites old and new which had the massive crowd in an absolute frenzy.
It was definitely time to cool off, volunteers from the Cancer Council did a fantastic job ensuring everyone did not get too badly sun-burnt with free sun-screen and the presence of the St Johns Ambulance crew made everyone feel incredibly safe. The break could not last long however, with relative new-comer and Australian sensation Flume, drawing the crowd out-of the woodwork into the sun protected Hi-top stage with his amazing electronic/indie genre twist. It all became too much, and with the sun over the hill, Indie band The Rubens were just what the doctor ordered. Winning Triple J’s un-earthed artist of the year award the night before, The Rubens continued to un-earth dance moves I didn’t think I had.
The setting of the sun-brought a sigh of relief, a quick power sit which for some turned into a slight nap, recharged the batteries and brought about the final few acts of the day. Bingo Players kicked off the evening in the Hi-top stage which had the crowd wearing their dancing shoes into the ground while Australian hip-hop sensation 360 had the remainder bouncing at the tip of his fingers. Dash Berlin finished what energy I had left at the end of the night with their incredible dance sound. And just like that, it was all over again for another year. Many thanks must go to the organisers and volunteers which made it all possible and had everybody in incredibly safe hands.
