The sun is rising on a glorious autumn day at Cronulla, in Sydney, where SummerSalt brings a once in a lifetime line-up to the beach's shores.
The crowd files in (6 April), smiles on faces and camping chairs in hand. The mood is high and relaxed. Josh Pyke kicks off the day, his smooth voice and tight band are a welcome sound, ringing with warmth in your ears.Patrons' first drinks feel good going down, just like the tunes. 'Private Education' builds with lingering intensity, as the crowd continues to grow. "We had a lovely morning," Pyke shares. "We had a swim. We didn't bring our swimmers so we swam in our grundies."
He recounts the story of being asked to initiate a marriage proposal at a show, but the couple were stuck in the line. He opens the floor for any proposals and one occurs. "We'll have a lot of Pyke-themed divorces this century," Pyke jokes.
The jokes continue as he jests about retiring, and it's a warm start to the day. He starts a clap along for 'Middle Of The Hill' in a heartwarming end to a perfect opening set. Time between sets gives patrons a chance to restock their drinks and converse. The air is decidedly delectable.
Josh Pyke - image © AH Imagery
The Waifs enter guns blazing, shooting out an acoustic solo that melts your ears. The harmonica sends a signal to your heart that awakens its beat. "This is the first time that we've ever been to Cronulla," frontwoman Donna Simpson shares. She thanks the crew who were at Port Macquarie's show yesterday.
'London Still' is sentimental, Simpson's voice raspy and full of character. "This song was written in 2002, so if you're old enough to remember the lyrics, sing it with me ok," she smiles. 'Ironbark' is sweet and boppy, a perfect tune for the day which has turned warm.
"I wrote this song when I was fishing. . . for a husband. . . on the internet," Vikki Thorn shares for 'Sundirtwater'. 'Crazy Train' starts with an insane harmonica solo that gets the crowd dancing off their feet, and it's been a rocking good time so far.
The Waifs - image © AH Imagery
The Whitlams kick off energetically. Tim Freedman dressed all in white, plucks away at the piano keys, singing about cigars, and life feels pretty good. 'Blow Up The Pokies' is a classic tune, as the stage floods red, before distorted melodic guitar features in other tracks.
Clouds offer some welcome respite from the heat, as the screen plays fluro paints in pink and red. 'No Aphrodisiac' simmers, boiling over in a cacophony of sound that is a pleasure to experience.
"By the time she gets to Marrickville," Tim sings and the song features an impressive guitar solo to close out the set, as the crowd prepares for Fanning Dempsey National Park.
The Whitlams - image © AH Imagery
"How are we all? Eh?" Fanning jokes. Their set starts with some 808 drums and an '80s vibe. The feel continues as Dempsey shreds through a solo, his guitar tone thick and distorted. Fanning shakes his tambourine and smiles at the patrons.
'Disconnect' is a perfect piece of songwriting, Dempsey and Fanning's voices blending splendidly. The crowd love it, as the dance floor grows in size. "We've had a lot of fun doing these shows," Dempsey shares as Fanning announces this is his first show in Cronulla.
"I hope the people in the housing commission balconies over there are doing ok," Fanning references the houses with a view of the show. "It would have been a real hassle to buy a ticket," he jokes.
"You've written some songs too haven't you Bernard?" Dempsey jokes. "This a rare B side from 1992," Fanning announces for 'Wish You Well'. 'Monsters' takes you to another time and place, Dempsey's vocals perfectly sentimental. Dempsey and Fanning are a musical synergy phenomenon that Australia is blessed to have.
Fanning Dempsey National Park - image © AH Imagery
It's difficult to believe after the quality of the acts so far, that there is still Missy Higgins and John Butler Trip to go. 'Set Me On Fire' kicks off Higgins' set right with delicious harmonies. "We went swimming today," Higgins shares. "Well we got tossed around by the waves."
'Secret' is sultry as Higgins recounts a forbidden love from a Minneapolis hotel room. She extended the ending, repeating "you've got a secret," as she backs away from the microphone until a single spotlight illuminates her and then cuts to black. It's a powerful image.
'Don't Ever' is a tale of hoping love can last if you just run from your problems, before 'Ten Days' is equally sentimental. 'Peachy' is fun and fruity before Higgins welcomes a fan to play cowbell for 'Unashamed Desire' in a crowd-warming moment.
Missy Higgins - image © AH Imagery
'You Should Run' has patrons hugging and crying. Higgins somehow reaches places untouched. 'The In-Between' features a long note that draws a massive cheer, before 'Warm Whispers' has a section so intense time and space pause momentarily.
'The Special Two' draws more tears and embraces, before 'Scar' closes a perfect set. Missy manages to rip your heart out and put it right back every time. The crowd prepares for the last act of an unbelievable line-up.
John Butler Trio enters with high energy, John shredding though a slide solo as he kicks his leg up. 'Used To Get High' is joyous and meaningful, before Butler plays a solo under red lights.
"When I heard about this line-up, I said, 'holy sh.t, you sure you want me, because everyone else is really classy'," Butler jokes. He makes a speech about how men need to keep themselves and other men accountable to protect women, and his point is very true.
'Miss Your Love' is deeply sentimental, the pain evident on Butler's face. After a false start for 'Better Than', Butler jokes: "No one's watching you, it's ok." The track is raucous and the crowd are in full swing, with Butler on banjo.
John Butler Trio - image © AH Imagery
Smoke erupts during 'Ocean' and there aren't any words to describe the experience other than utterly transformative. Butler becomes one with his instrument in a way rarely seen on earth. This man is truly extraordinary. How he picks the set back up after that moment is legendary.
'Zebra' features fun percussive solos and more exceptional work from Butler, before he ends on 'Funky Tonight' with an elongated solo that has the whole sky crowd high.
SummerSalt Cronulla 2025 will go down as one of the greatest festivals in history. The line-up was perfect, the crowd fully engaged. There are moments you wish you could live again and again, and this was one.
More photos from the festival.
