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Homebake is a festival where anything goes, as long as it’s Australian. Paul Kelly plays at the same time as Architecture in Helsinki, frenzied dance acts pair off alongside intimate acoustic sessions and people of all walks of life (except for those under 18, the first time ever for Homebake) intermingle – everyone linked together in joint appreciation of our nation’s musical talent. The scorching Sydney sun just emphasises the Aussieness of the event, and although you could argue that it’s too hot, too packed and too impossible to work out which act to see next, these are all traits that make Homebake a great representation of the large scale festival experience.
As far as thinking-outside-the-box, Homebake’s great success was their unique recycling policy. With most punters taking advantage of the fact that every aluminium can handed into the recycled tent earns the collector the tidy sum of one dollar. The more economical of the festival goers now pairing with the more environmentally conscious to fill garbage bags with cans – some even staunchly guarding piles of aluminium until they feel it’s time to cash in. It certainly proved a good way to encourage recycling and one thing is for certain, besides the piles of bodies lying in the sun, no music festival has ever had cleaner surrounds.
Expatriate
Local band Expatriate performed with an explosive stage presence and dynamic sound. Sounding far more exciting as a live band than their recordings may suggest, they played with a high intensity that drew punters to the Big Top as their set progressed. While the Big Top itself was one of the only covers of shade from the all-too-familiar festival sun, Expatriate’s delivery induced a fittingly sweat-heavy environment that matched the energy in the band’s showing.
The Brunettes
Well it just wouldn’t be Homebake without some Kiwi friends, and The Brunettes, playing at the small but intimate Hopetown stage, prove that Aussies will try to steal anything good that’s from New Zealand. Beginning off near empty, this dark tent filled as whispers of The Brunettes circulated. Opening with the overwhelming ‘Brunettes Against Bubblegum Youth’, the band did not disappoint neither their fans nor the Kiwi curious, their infectious mix of upbeat pop, buzzing group vocals and multi-instrumental thrilling throughout.
Midnight Juggernauts
As the sun drops in nigh-on perfect timing, a horde of bodies fill The Big Top for the Midnight Juggernauts, preparing for the real festivities to begin. The giant tent has become like some crazed rave; the roaring and impatient crowd the loudest of the day. Even attempting to move is foolish: the area is so packed that I’m left wall-to-wall and armpit-to-armpit with the other Juggernaut enthusiasts, waiting for the band to come one. But thankfully the Juggernaut’s are indeed worth the timeout, their electro-rock hits have bodies moving and making spaces in the crowd.
Belles Will Ring
Performing to a disappointingly small crowd at the Hopetoun Stage, Belles Will Ring don’t let the emptiness dictate their performance. And for those in the know about Belles’ mix of upbeat rock, jiving instrumentals and retro-pop harmonies it wasn’t the size that mattered. ‘The Coldest Heart’ and ‘Mad Love’ were two of the stand-outs, both taken from the band’s latest Mood Patterns, hopefully the strong showing will mean more opportunities for the Sydneysiders on the festival circuit.
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