Grapevine Gathering Festival Review & Photos on Saturday 22nd January 2022
REVIEW AND PHOTOS BY: BRITTANY LONG
PHOTO BY: BRITTANY LONG
Set against the backdrop of the rolling hills of the Yarra Valley, eager punters flocked to the vineyards of Melbourne’s Rochford winery to welcome back live music in style with Grapevine Gathering. Melbourne turned on the weather and the heat, with temperatures hitting highs of 34 degrees, seeing an absolute scorcher. Did someone say BTV 2019 flashbacks anyone?
T.Y PHOTO BY: BRITTANY LONG
Kicking off the day was Melbourne duo T.Y after a last minute lineup change, sponsored by KFC. Performing covers and original music off their recent EP release ‘Start Again’ they provided the soundtrack as festival goers trickled through the gates preparing for a day on the vino. Shoutout to the dedicated three fans dancing away in the front without a care in the world despite the unrelenting heat!
CREATURE FEAR PHOTO BY: BRITTANY LONG
By the time local Melbourne band Creature Fear took to the stage there was a growing crowd flooding in and patrons were jammed up against the barrier dancing away, wine in hand. Sharing music off their debut EP 17 minutes of Creature Fear including hit ‘Barely Alive’ and new music written during Covid lockdown they proved to be a hit with the crowd. Multi-talented frontwoman Jacqui Lumsden brought the energy showcasing an array of instrumental talents including vocals and a killer tambourine routine. This 5-piece are definitely an act to watch out for and seemed at home on the big stage!
REST FOR THE WICKED PHOTO BY: BRITTANY LONG
Next up was Rest for the Wicked who made their debut performing their first show ever and the crowd loved them! The new venture by frontman Ben Townsend known for his solo project Ivan Ooze, alongside Sydney-based multi-skilled songwriter and producer Tasker delivered the class, treating the crowd to raw original music that defies the usual genre barriers of pop. Newest releases 2021 singles ‘Bones’ and ‘Feel The Same Way’ were crowd favourites along with unreleased track Erased which was also enjoyed! I can’t wait to see more from these guys!
I enjoyed the sounds of CC Disco and the DJ set by Bag Raiders from afar, instead seeking a much needed reprieve from the unrelenting heat and escaping undercover to enjoy the offerings of the VIP bar and restaurant. I indulged in a mouthwatering woodfired pizza and some delicious refreshing passionfruit sorbet which was much needed.
M.Cs for the day, internet sensations The Inspired Unemployed kept the crowds spirits up between sets, delivering endless banter, DJ hits and crowd singalongs. Most notably to Train’s iconic hit ‘Drops of Jupiter’ and Madonna’s ‘Hung Up’. There was even a Bachelorette inspired skit, complete with red roses and a first dance!
THE VERONICAS PHOTOS BY: BRITTANY LONG
Aussie icons The Veronicas took to the stage in style with ‘Take Me On the Floor’ sharing hits from their impressive discography and performing songs that had famously provided the soundtrack for the lives of teen fans everywhere. Including classics ‘4ever’, ‘When It All Falls Apart’ and ‘Hook Me Up’. ‘Mother Mother’ was a treat for their dedicated die-hard fans, while in true Veronicas fashion no set is ever complete without the ‘national anthem’ and deliver they did. The twins’ request to ‘please rise for the national anthem’ was happily obliged as they belted out iconic track ‘Untouched’. The roar of the crowd was deafening as the punters went wild!
VERA BLUE PHOTOS BY: BRITTANY LONG
Electropop powerhouse Vera Blue dazzled in a White Label Noba neon green dress, opening with her newest work ‘Temper’ and ‘Would You Lie to Me’. She delighted with classics ‘Settle’, ‘Regular Touch’, ‘Mended’, ‘All the Pretty Girls’ and the inclusion of ‘Hold’ was also an emotional sentiment. Female empowerment track ‘Lady Powers’ which she dedicated to all the ladies in the crowd was a crowd favourite, and she finished in a blaze of glory with none other than dance number ‘Rushing Back’ written with long-time collaborator Flume.
THE JUNGLE GIANTS PHOTOS BY: BRITTANY LONG
As the sun began to set industry heavyweights The Jungle Giants took to the stage. The temperature finally began to ease but the music only got hotter as hit after hit was delivered. Fans were treated to ‘Treat You Right’ and a selection of tracks off their 2021 ARIA-nominated album Love Signs including ‘Heavy Hearted’. Hot off the press was the news of their album title track ‘Love Signs’ making Top 20 at #18 in Triple J’s 2021 Hottest 100 count, the excitement was palpable and this was a more than worthy inclusion to their already energetic set.
PEKING DUK PHOTOS BY: BRITTANY LONG
Last but definitely not least, headliners Peking Duk ft the gorgeous Micci brought the party. Accompanied with an array of streamers, CO2 cannons, confetti, pyrotechnics and an epic visual display! You name it, they had it! They delighted with an hour-long jam-packed set featuring 2021 single ‘Chemicals’ which was awarded #42 in the Triple J Hottest 100, their eighth year running in the Top 100. ‘Utopia’, ‘Stranger’ ‘Nothing To Love About Love’ and other classics ‘Say My Name’, ‘Fake Magic’, ‘Fire’ and ‘Wasted’ were also performed, alongside a myriad of other non-stop bangers that had the crowd dancing and singing the night away. Unreleased track ‘Honest’ ft Slayyyter was debuted and honestly it’s the dance anthem we’ve all been waiting for, I for one cannot wait for this track to be released! In an impressive feat ‘The Way You Are’ involved getting everyone in the crowd to crouch down and then jump up at the same time while ‘Take Me Over’, a personal favourite of mine, invited everyone to turn their phone torches on and take a moment to reflect and just appreciate the beauty that was live music and being back at a festival together. Finishing on a high with ‘High’ was the perfect end to the evening. Peking Duk always put on an unforgettable show and Grapevine Gathering was no exception, there’s a reason they have such a following and have built a dedicated worldwide fanbase over their decade long career.
Grapevine was a celebration, it was heart-warming to see punters together once more celebrating live music. However the glaring issue was the lack of availability of bottled drinking water, which given it was such a hot day was even more dangerous and a clear oversight that definitely needed to be addressed.
