Described as the ‘mega of the reggae’, the memories created at this year’s Island Vibe 10th birthday were bountiful.
Festival goers were aglow with happiness, and the word on Minjerribah was unanimous! This festival was one of the most vibrant, musically diverse yet oozing with positivity, connectivity and butt-shaking good vibes. “Overall the feeling of Island Vibe this year was special, truly powerful and beautiful,” Quandamooka elder and eco- environmental artist Craig Tapp said.
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The sharing of community and culture – that is quintessential Island Vibe – included an Elders Smoking Ceremony as well as young performers sharing their identity and culture at both the Welcoming and Closing Ceremonies. Festival goers seem united in describing their feelings of deep appreciation and respect for the Quandamooka peoples and their culture.
Image © Emelia EbejerWith four stages and such a diverse line-up of reggae, ska, drum & bass, dancehall, funk, soul, glitch, gypsy, roots and indigenous music from around the globe, it’s a tough gig for festival goers to single out that one act that was their personal highlight. For even when you venture away from the headlining acts of the big top, and drift towards Bamboo Bass, Coconut Lounge or the Dub Dome – there’s always music magic to be experienced.
OKA - image © Emelia EbejerBreaking down the Big Top... For many OKA, with their reggae dub, world music signature sound was a solid favourite. Their pulsating rhythms and big-hearted intention to uplift audiences didn’t fail to impress Vibers.
OKA’s music truly captured the hearts of festival goers inducing a sense of connectivity – a oneness with each other and the earth as they stomped those dancing feet.
Melbourne Ska Orchestra - image © Emelia EbejerMelbourne Ska Orchestra had the Big Top crowd losing themselves to the universal intoxication of ska. Their high energy, interactive set was exhilarating good, quirky FUN! Another Big Top heavyweight was Natiruts, whose mighty sound ignited a groove-a-thon! While Kuranda Legends, Zennith, blew the stage away with their contagiously funky set.
Image © Emelia EbejerThe Bamboo Bass boomed! For the third year running, Earth Frequency Festival created the ambient, bamboo-art sculpture that is the Bamboo Bass stage – a favourite stage for lovers of phat drum & bass infused with dub, electronica and junglist sounds. Featured acts included the formidable UK dub masters Zion Train, whose set can only be described as transformational.
Bumble - image © Emelia EbejerThere was an abundance of broken beat delights on offer from K+Lab, Dov1, Bumble, Monkey Marc, Dub Princess & Isaac Chambers, Bass Bin Laden, Kodiak Kid and Andy Dub ft. Mind ConTroll Collective.
The Coconut Lounge is the stage that always satisfies the heart and soul. Just a few of the sensational acts that rejuvenated and inspired punters included: Matiu, Essie Thomas, B-L-A-C-K-B-O-I, Katia Demeester, Kooyeh, The Seven Ups as well as perennial local favourites The Pippi Lips, Clara Durbidge, Midjimberry Road, Cumulus Nimbus, Mama-Dukes and 15-year old Kyle Bryant.
Image © Emelia EbejerThe final word on this year’s celebratory festival belongs to Quandamooka elder Craig Tapp, when he described the essence of this year’s event. “What I’ve realised, before you get to where you want to go to in life, you’ve got to surround yourself with beautiful people, and this Island Vibe is part of that.”
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