This year’s Peats Ridge Festival at Glenworth Valley was once again an eventful celebration of eclectic music, theatre, art and organic lifestyle with the main focal point on sustainability.
The joint efforts of creators and volunteers had turned the valley into a site of exploration: what was at daytime a place of music and Eco tip education, Yoga classes and massages in tipis, river swimming and creative mask making workshops for the New Year’s Eve masquerade, became a place of discovery at night. From slick art installations to trapeze shows, comedy, cabaret, a very popular Disco tent and even more music under a full moon.
Sydnesider and early-bird camper Tom Sharah describes his first Peats Ridge experience as magical. ‘I spent four days of dancing under pink and purple mushrooms, walking barefoot in piles of horse manure, painting my face in the dark, and drinking cans of rainbow juice with a side of all the above.’ ‘Sometimes, he adds, I’m thinking of Peats and I just want to go back.’
Three days of festival celebrations may sound excessive, but in reality there was never enough time to indulge yourself in all the beautiful stages, decorated tents, artful side alleys, diverse coffee and fresh food stalls from Yemen, Mexico and around the world.
As a ritual, the festival’s opening and closing ceremonies at the Bellbird Stage paid respect to the lands with indigenous music, smoke and dance. Those who wanted to learn more about the culture and their traditions pilgrimaged to the Boardi Space tent.
Also at the main stage, Peats Ridge’s headliners Sarah Blasko, Ash Grunwald, Blue and King Brown were featured, as well as the UK-band Lamb who attracted an enthusiastic crowd with their -short but exclusive NSW - performance. And speaking of enthusiasm: the Dubshack was regularly bursting at the seams caused by gumboot dancing Drum’n bass madness, meanwhile, in another dimension, the off-beat Bohemian Love Theatre catered for an audience who were up for its Baz Lurman style burlesque performance.
Even though some highlights were missing from last year, such as the spectacular Utopians dome with its projected images and a hint of less commercialism, this year’s contributors have achieved it all: a sustainable festival, powered not only by solar energy but also by it’s many glowing attendees & volunteers that will leave a long lasting impression but no carbon footprints.