Dance music festival rocks Kawana
Mon 14 May 2007
Robyn Daniels, Journalism
On Saturday May 5 the Sunshine Coast hosted a dance music festival, shaking the “sleepy town” of Kawana like never before.
The Malibu Sunset Social opened its gates at 2.30pm with the crowd slowly drizzling in, most not arriving until an hour or two after the official start-time.
Local DJs got the crowd in the mood early at the free event, before US DJ Andy Caldwell took over at 5pm and rocked the stage. Sydney outfit the Stafford Brothers followed featuring unconventional performer ‘Timmy Trumpet’ who stole the show. At this type of festival one expects to hear only remixes and techno style music but this trumpeting performer added a unique and interesting element to the dance music.
Next on were the Funktrust DJs and as the afternoon turned to night the crowd danced on to remixes of every
thing from Bloc Party to Bon Jovi.
Sneaky Sound System ended the night on a high. Pre-event word that only the DJ would play was soon exposed as hearsay when the female vocalist, ‘Miss Connie’, took the stage to front the seven-piece group at about 9pm.
While the crowd was impressed by the group, the group themselves did not reciprocate. The male vocalist repeatedly stopped the performance, asking the crowd to settle down. He warned things were getting dangerous in the moshpit, saying “you’re ruining everyone else’s night”.
There was only one stage but the set up was surprisingly professional with great lighting and sound quality.
How, I wondered, could such a quality event take place and not charge an entry fee?
I did not have to ponder long. Upon opening my wallet I discovered the event had not been free at all. The only available drinks were beer and Malibu and I do not think there was a sober person on the grounds.
The night was even more expensive for many more who were stung by fines for drinking in public outside the gates. A heavy police and security presence meant minimal trouble and a safe night for most party-goers.
Everyone seemed to be having a good time and enjoying the music, even the bar staff, some of who made it a family affair. King’s Beach mother and daughter Pauline and Amey Barons said that while they were there to work, they were still having a great time.
“It’s been very enjoyable and everyone’s fairly relaxed,” Mrs Baron said.
Both said they thought the event had been a huge success but Amey said she was disappointed to have been “stuck behind” the bar all night.
“We got to suss it out at the start but we’re not allowed to go out on our breaks,” Amey said said.
“I love Sneaky Sound System. I’d really like to see them.”
Amey said the event would have been very different if it was in her home town Sydney.
“Queensland is definitely a bit slower than Sydney,” Amey said.
“At these sorts of things in Sydney people are much ruder. I think people here are just glad that they’ve actually been given something to do.”
When Sneaky Sound System left the stage at 10pm, there were a few unanswered, and most likely unheard, calls for an encore. Leaving the grounds the general consensus seemed to be that the event started and finished much too early. Most partied on to Mooloolaba’s clubs and pubs with Sneaky Sound System themselves even spotted out at an esplanade nightclub.
All in all, a great night which exceeded the weekly budget but also my expectations, so I’ll let the first one slide.
Image(s) designed by Robyn Daniels