The CoLAB festival made it’s debut on Saturday. In the grounds of the University of Western Australia this micro-festival showcased great music alongside art exhibitions and quality food and wine.
Groups of friends lounged on the lawn in front of the stage, drinking wine and eating a range of great food. Local food trucks supplied a range of tasty wares, Tommy Sugo had gnocchi served with a delicious chicken and beef ragu, and salted caramel ice cream, the popular Jumplings van served noodles and dumplings, plus there was jerk chicken, curried goat and Brazilian sweets.
On the main stage local band The Creases were an early favourite. Gang of Youths delivered an energetic set that had the crowd on their feet yelling back at lead singer David Leaupepe. The Kite String Tangle showcased his melodic and mellow sounds, it’s astounding that one guy one stage can generate so much music. The Kite String Tangle threw a cover of Lorde’s ‘Tennis Court’ into his set giving the crowd a big sing-a-long moment.
Queensland’s The Jungle Giants gave a solid set of indie rock with lead singer Sam Hales doing his best impression of Angus Young during his guitar solos. Bass player’s Andrew Dooris entertained the crowd with his captivating dance moves.
Midnight Juggernauts delivered an impressive set of psychedelic electronica. The trio are the slow achievers of the Australian music scene, it’s hard to believe it’s almost a decade since their first hits but they still sound great today. ‘Into the Galaxy’ was a highlight of their set.
Hermitude was the final band to take to the stage, their electronic sounds pumping out late into the night. Inside in the dance ‘Space Invader’ dance space it was a line-up that had mixed success. Zian vs Breakfast Club were early favourites but Not So Hot and Adam Hankison played to an almost empty room. Later in the evening Indian Summer attracted an energetic crowd but Sable struggle to hold the audience when Hermitude appeared on the main stage.
Compared to the experience of a big festival coLAB was a pleasant change, someone halfway between RTRFM’s ‘In the Pines’ and the gigantic festivals like ‘Parklife’. Good music, good food, and community artists – big festivals could learn a lot from this experience.
Graeme Watson
