Cider House Rules

It's not every day that you attend a festival or gig. Each genre of music is a specific taste and so drink of choice is just as personal. What choice of bevvie you choose for the day truly reflects the kind of person you are and as a result can often lead to others knowing what music makes you move.


Vodka
There are two forms of vodka drinkers at festivals. There's the Vodka Red Bull kids who will be sufficiently 'buzzed' by midday and will also be ready front and centre for My Chemical Romance or Rihanna. Commonly aged between 17 and 20, the Vodka Red Bull drinkers’ favourite catchphrase is “Oh Em Gee I LOVE this song!” followed by hyperactive and enthusiastic squeals.
The other form of vodka drinker is the subtly boozed hip flask carrying drinker. These guys are festival professionals. The amount of different ways one flask can be transported into the festival could be an entire blog itself… don’t even get me started! This second kind of vodka drinker is stealth. You will never know they are even having a cheeky beverage as there is generally a simple lemonade or coke bottle in their hand.

Beer
The beer drinkers! You can smell them from the other end of the festivities. It takes a small 2.4 steps from exiting the line for a beer spillage to happen. I don’t know why this is. Perhaps it has something to do with the carbonate found in beer? Perhaps it’s the type of drinker the beverage draws in? Beer drinkers spend the day light hours of the festival in casual circles of fellow beer drinkers, avoiding dancing and moving. It is simply when the sun is officially behind the hill that these guys come out of their shells. Already sticky from a solid few hours of drinking, beer drinkers will become overly generous once dark, shouting ‘beer’ for all around and substituting dancing with shouting. It’s as if speaking at louder decibels is their creative way of expressing the beats their enjoying.

Whisky
“I’ll have a Jim Beam and coke thanks… make that 4” – yup! The whisky drinkers are the ones who are casually holding 4 cans in one hit. They don’t like doing things in halves and if it’s a ‘4 drinks per person capacity’ then its 4 drinkers they’ll be getting. The biggest spenders at a festival, whisky drinker are also quite commonly the ones who will go MIA early in the evening. No one ever knows where they disappear to… not even the nomads themselves.

Cider
Personally? I'm a cider drinker. You just can't beat cider fun in the sun. Large, refreshing and oozing with summer deliciousness. You just can’t pass up a drink that tantalizes the taste buds like a cider… and it has apples in it! Can I claim healthy option here? Not only is cider oozing with incredible flavour, the ways you can use a cider cup for entertainment purposes are endless and always a crowd pleaser.

*This blog in no way condones binge drinking. Drink responsibly guys!

Glastonbury Memories

Dizzee & Florence

With acts being announced by organisers Michael and Emily Eva left right and centre, it's hard not to reflect on the experience that was the 2010 Glastonbury Bonanza.

Travelling a mere 22 hours by air and a further 4 hours by the Planet Rock van, some say "extreme!" I say "worrrrth it".

To say I was overwhelmed on arrival is an understatement. Yes I admit it here and now - trekking to where we decided to set up camp and once my tiny one man tent was erected, I did indeed have a little cry to myself. Not because I didn't want to be there, but purely due to the mere size of the event. I was definitely going to get lost; it was just a matter of when. To add to the matter that I met my fellow campers only a week before didn't help.

Sunset

Day one was soon eased by a more than ostentatious sunset and the amusing sounds of Two Door Cinema Club. I couldn't have asked for a better musical start to the festival. The evening was spent bonding with my Glastonbury Family at Stone Circle while watching sky lanterns float through the night sky and drinking perhaps a little too much rum.

I was sad to see the first day already over while walking back to the tent with the sun rising. But it was time for bigger and better adventures.

To go through the entire festival bit by bit although exciting for me to rekindle the memories would be a bore for you so let's just look at my favourite moments:

Kylie Minogue & Jake Shears

• Dizzee Rascal and Florence Welsh busting it out on stage together.
• Miss Kylie Minogue representing us Aussies - shaking her hot pants on stage with Scissor Sisters.
• Cider from the Cider Bus - which I got a discount on purely for being an Aussie ;)
• Watching England qualify for the next round in the World Cup along with every other Glasto Goer (cider shower anyone?)
• LCD Soundsystem
• The amazing smoothie I had daily from this tiny stall I can't even remember. 
• Men walking around with pasties over their nipples - only the English could be so brazen.
• Secret gigs in Shangri-La



Tagged who now?

• The police officer after having a snap with me responded to my "I'll tag you on facebook" with a simple "I tagged his Mum on facebook"
• The Pyjama Party I stumbled upon.
• Eating dinner while watching Jack Johnson performed on Pyramid Stage.
• Dancing in a Silent Disco without headphones on... whoops.
• Seeing Marcus Mumford of Mumford & Sons playing the drums in a tiny tent at 3am a mere 2 metres away from me.
• Fire! So much fire at the Arcade!
• Seeing Toy Story 3D on the Sunday in a tiny tent.
• Everyone from the Glastonbury Family getting together under the CJJ flag for Stevie Wonder

Unexpected highlight which I must point out to you all. Shakira. Believe it or not she was ridiculous. Not only does she have the stamina to shake her thing on stage for an entire set and sound off the chain, the Brits absolutely LOVE her!

All I have to conclude with is - bring on 2011

Playground Weekender

Rarely in Australia is there a festival that delivers top notch artists, an unreal atmosphere, the greatest of fancy dress costumes and the best of festival goers. Playground Weekender is the exception.

Kate Nash

With the ever beautiful Kate Nash headlining the event, an array of artists made it down the gorge to the tiny resort at Wisemans Ferry known as Del Rio. Although the ferry's were crowded and the queues were hours long, all those waiting with anticipation were sharing some ice cold stubbies before they were confiscated by security. Beach balls were being thrown, laughter was coming from all ends and the tech savvy iGens were eagerly texting a weekends worth of info to friends and family before boarding the shit to the party island.

Setting up camp was made that much easier with the fun loving crew we managed to set up near. Delicious tanned bodies wandering the riverside and portaloos that naturally would never be smelling of roses filled the campsite. To celebrate the set up of camp, we immediately headed towards the Synth pop rockers Cut Copy who delivered their new tracks from album Zonoscope.

Cut Copy

Tricky was next on stage and he was ridunkulous with his off the hook 1990s hits. Tricky knows what he's doing, mixing hip hop with rock in a way to move pop culture. Highlight of the Friday night interestingly enough was heading to a side bar with mist spraying its sweaty patrons and the ultimate in music tracks playing. One word - Madonna. Need I say anything else?

Most of Saturday was consumed in the pool area to chill out and hear up and coming DJs with the occasional stop off at the Slushy stand for some raspberry whirls strategically mixed with sneaky vodka.
Then the dress ups began. As one friend kindly pointed out to me... this was the only time of year you wouldn't be saying "I wonder who I'll hook up with tonight" but rather "I wonder WHAT I'll be hooking up with tonight".

Best group costume I believe were the deck of cards. No exaggeration - 52 of them. Honorable mentions go to the old school dudes and the Chilean Minors.
Saturday evening was kicked off with Midnight Juggernauts (always a great dance!) then Kool & the Gang, Architecture in Helsinki and De La Soul. I personally decided to skip out on De La Soul and headed to Norman Jay. Best.Decision.Ever. I am slightly upset I didn't get to see "Ring Ring Ring" performed live however Norman Jay was so incredibly dynamic and made the beat of my soul burst through my chest.

Although the night ended early, we kicked on around the tents and jumped into the muddy river.

Sunday was a very chilled day. Most patron's pyking in the morning to get back their brains and be ready for work. I on the other hand stuck around drinking ciders. First up on the list was American all girl group The Like. Small and intimate crowd meant a very personal set. They rocked it out in the heat and chatted away to those brave enough to stand in the scorcher of a day.

The Beautiful Girls

After a snooze in the afternoon (and multiple slushies...again), it was time for The Beautiful Girls. We danced, we sung, they delivered the cruisey surfer tunes they're best known for and prepared us for Kate Nash.

Miss Nash came on and showed us exactly why she is the headlining act. Smashing it out on the piano, strumming away on her guitar and delivering her sweet melodies with her renown vocals, Kate Nash couldn't have gone wrong.

Although only a few years old, Playground Weekender is hands down the greatest music festival Australia has to offer. And that my friend is a massive call.

Ploughing The Field

The Presets

Pumping, crunking and downright dirrrrty! Field Day 2010 was the only way to start off the New Year with the people of Sydney already breaking every New Year’s resolution.

Set at The Domain, Field Day had a line up including Jack Beats, Amanda Blank, Cassette Kids, The Presets, 2manydjs, Fake Blood, Lyrics Born, Major Lazer Soundsystem feat. Diplo and a stack more.

Although a humid day, there was a small dosage of rain that was warmly welcome by all in the early afternoon. The layout of the venue was aesthetically pleasing as expected of presenters Fuzzy, with beverage queues being long yet speedy; and toilets always having toilet paper.

I was fortunate enough to score media passes so this was my first experience being on the other side of the barriers. Strict security slowly warmed up to me and after 2 songs by The Presets, gave up on trying to kick me and my small, pink Panasonic camera out from the ‘Photographers Pit’. By the time 2manydjs rolled around, they were even enjoying a little dance and some kind professional photographers even let me hold their giant cameras! (Big shout out to photographer for Moshtix who politely danced with me rather than laugh).

Highlights of the day
Spotting some gouples, photographing The Presets and chilling with a great bunch of friends on the first day of the year.

Lowlights of the day
Aching legs at the end of the day, being locked out of the house on arrival home and 2manydjs lighting not working correctly. Rumour on the mill has it, they had set up specific light shows for each state however the system chucked a wobbly and couldn’t handle it. A right shame as they are such talented blokes. Still a fantastic set to listen to :)

Here is a nice snapshot of the day. Enjoy!

Festival Romance - How Far Is Too Far

When it comes to a great summer festival, you know there’s going to be a lot of buff bodies about the place. Although it is about the music, for some it is also about romance <3. There must be something about the air that day that makes some kids go coo coo.

These newly found couples are hard to pick. Just like couples who have ventured to gigs together, newly found gouples (gig couples) are just as cosy with one another. They speed the relationship up to a ‘her on his shoulders for a set’ by sun down and will be best buds with one another’s friends by moon up. The reasoning behind needing a partner in crime at a gig is beyond me. How does it all happen? From going stage to stage, how does anyone even have time to ignite a romance!

Have you ever met your partner at a festival? Do you know someone who has? What drew you to them? Was it the giant glasses covering their whole face; was it the lyrics to the song playing in the background? Or was it a simple case of Hello hottie with no shirt on! Tell me about it!

 



Pictured is Sam I Am & Jessie Red. So loved up, they proceeded to show me at a festival where their 'couple shot' will be put in the wallet after the event. SO cute!



Top Festival Tips

There is no such thing as being too prepared when it comes to heading to your fave festival.
I chatted with my festival going friends and accumulated the top tips for ensuring a happy festival day/night.

Tip 1
Have a buddy. It’s always fun to head to the festivals in packs however if separated from your pack, you could end up a little bit upset and lost. Before the big day, think long and hard about who you love spending hours with. Then talk to this person and discuss being buddies. It sounds lame but on the day, you’ll be grateful to know that one person is looking out for you and vice versa.

Tip 2
Carry a sturdy strapped bag. Avoid the dangers of your bag breaking on you by ensuring it has a thick strap. Why not try a bum bag? All conveniently located on your waist, there’s no chance of your bag getting lost or in the way!

Tip 3
Pack a pocket pack of tissues. Nothing is more stressful than queuing up for hours at the scungy port-a-loos, knowing you’re potentially missing an unreal set by the most awesome DJ’s than finally getting into that green cubicle to find no toilet paper. Use sparingly.

Tip 4
Slip, slop, slap. No, I’m not your mother, I’m just thinking of the day after. Nobody likes to be sunburnt, particularly when it’s in a tee. Avoid those tacky singlet marks by smothering yourself in the sun cream before heading to the day’s festivities. You’ll be thanking me the next day, I promise.

Tip 5
Pack the night before. Tickets? Check! Camera? Check! I.D? Check! In the excitement of the morning of, you’re bound to forget something vital. Avoid this by packing the night before. Even if you do forget to pack something, you’re bound to remember it by the very next morning before you head off rather than when you get to the festival and can’t get in.