
The Farmer and the Owl festival returned to sunny Wollongong over the weekend and hosted 25+ acts plus a whole range of other sensory delights in a statement that fuels the question, how long until the next one! Ian Laidlaw brings us these photos...
Going down to Wollongong University to attend Farmer and The Owl is an absolute joy. The trip which is only a touch over an hour’s drive from Sydney is an ease and the festival is filled with laid-back easy-going coastal vibes. That is despite the healthy helping of raucous rock that filled out the line-up.
There’s only just under a month to go before Farmer & The Owl kicks off and it just keeps getting bigger with new music, food and arts additions. The Wollongong festival is already hosting the likes of DZ Deathrays, Bad//Dreems and Jebediah amongst many more, and have now announced that Velociraptor, Rolls Bayce, Jeremy Neale, Parkside + Friends, SPACE 44 DJs, Blackbear, Honeybear, Berko (FBi), Vintage Stylus DJs and Music Farmers DJs will also be joining.
Having attended the University of Wollongong for four years and lived in the city throughout that period, I cannot stress what a joy it was to see an event like The Farmer & The Owl take place. Even more of a joy, was the fact it was run so effectively and efficiently.
Dan Turner takes us to the inaugural boutique Farmer and the Owl festival in Wollongong, headlined by Dappled Cities and The Drones. Though the headliners are unfortunately not pictured here, enjoy the rest of day's fine offerings including Harmony, Shining Bird, Glass Towers and many more...
San Cisco played up a storm at the University of Wollongong's Unibar and the AU review's Johto was there to capture all the action.
In 2011 The Rubens were playing in a small Wollongong café/pub. Fast forward a mere two years, and the 4-piece sold out the original venue of Unibar to upgrade to the University of Wollongong’s hall to play to adoring fans. No easy feat! After a whirlwind 2012, which saw hit single "My Gun" be blasted on everything from radio stations, to football matches and make it into the top ten for the Triple J’s hottest 100, The Rubens brought their ‘Never Be The Same’ tour back to Wollongong, supported by spunky rockers Bloods and the ever energetic and impressive Walk The Moon.
I'd call myself a fairly seasoned British India goer now. Catching them live for the first time over four years ago, they have always been a great live act to watch. Considering it's been quite some time since I've seen them I was interested to see how their live show had progressed since the release of the highly acclaimed fourth album, Controller.
Pictured: The Beards.
Pictured: Ball Park Music.