Its been a week since I returned to the real world following a hot weekend at Wiseman’s Ferry for Playground Weekender music festival.How was it? Well first and foremost I can describe the experience in one word: HOT. Seriously hot. That kind of heat where you feel somewhat paralysed and the most energy you can muster is to head to the store and buy a bag of ice or jump in to the river. We struggled to move and talk for a period in the early hours of Saturday.
Enough about the heat though, that message was drilled in I am sure.
Pros & Cons?
Pros:
1. Beautiful setting. I was blown away by the gorgeous layout of this festival. The organisers ensured there was a quirky hippie slant on the deco and sitting along the riverside was a welcome break.
2. Not too crowded. I hate festivals that get too crowded. Being a little lady myself I can’t stand the prospect of having my head up someone’s baby wiped armpit and having my feet trodden on. Playground was roomy enough to dance but not to the point where it lack in atmosphere.
3. Leading me to the next point, atmosphere. Atmosphere was great, upbeat, and friendly at Playground. I met and chatted to so many randoms and there was this sharing caring vibe that can be hard to find at some festivals.
4. Great acts. I was very excited to see Jose Gonzalez, sadly his act was really short and a little uninspiring but the sound was great and I think it was quite a relief to have an act less high energy. My favourite acts included: Crazy P, Lyrics Born and The Streets.
5. Laissez-faire attitude, trusting patrons to look after themselves and one another. Nothing worse than being hounded by sniffer dogs and the intimate searches to welcome you at some of Australia’s festivals.
6. Fancy Dress, need I say more (see images = lots of fun)?!
Cons:1. Cuing for the ferry. That was a joke. Aside from sweltering in the heat carrying bags we had to wait a good 3 hours to get on to the ferry. Of course one fills the time with a beer or two but it did feel very frustrating after rushing tirelessly to get there and make the last act to then be waiting with a strip of water between you and the fun.
2. Water cost $7 a bottle. A painful joke. Being that tap water came out an off brown colour which was far from refreshing looking, I did thinking it was a bit mean charging so much for bottles of water especially in the 47 degree heat conditions.
3. Norman Jay was a no show. We were really disappointed after trundling from The Streets at the main stage to catch a bit of Norman Joay to no avail. I suppose this does happen at concerts so I shouldn’t sulk too much (but will anyway).
4. Last bus back was at 10pm! We would’ve much preferred to get a coach to and from the festival but departing at 10pm from the other side of the ferry would’ve been far too much of a stressful hike.
All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed Playground and will be sure to revisit it next year.
