Music review: 2023 Harvest Rock Festival

After Harvest Rock’s moist and muddy debut in 2022, the climate gods smiled on Adelaide for the 2023 weekend competition, which introduced a few of the world’s greatest dwell performers to SA for a romp within the East Finish parklands.

The road-up for Harvest Rock II was stacked with artists spanning each generations and style, together with unique Australian performances from Jamiroquai and Beck. It was additionally maybe the bougiest competition on the Adelaide circuit, with expansive VIP sections taking up massive chunks of Rymill Park / Murlawirrapurka and King Rodney Park / Ityamai-Itpina for cashed-up locals and guests to benefit from the sights in type and luxury.

Like final yr’s invoice, the 2023 line-up proves nostalgia sells to South Australian audiences. There have been no flavour-of-the-month acts on both the primary Harvest Stage or the smaller Vines Stage, with organisers as a substitute pulling from music historical past to deliver Grammy winners and worldwide stars to Adelaide for the 2 days, driving up the median viewers age and giving the competition an air of maturity.

This was amplified by the non-music choices out there: Bartels Highway was remodeled right into a veritable cellar door as SA wine manufacturers arrange stalls, whereas a devoted culinary area commanded a giant spot on the map and even featured a sit-down Africola pop-up restaurant.

Nevertheless, regardless of efforts made to prioritise South Aussie meals and wine, little consideration was given to native artists, with only one music act primarily based in Adelaide.

Saturday

Harvest Rock II’s programmers clearly had a imaginative and prescient in thoughts for day one: a festival-wide disco. Your complete day felt as if it was main as much as headliner Jamiroquai’s distinctive fusion of jazz, funk and disco.

Ladyhawke basked within the solar on the Vines Stage early within the day, bringing her indie stylings to devoted followers braving the afternoon warmth. Her set kicked into gear half method by means of when she dipped into her collaborative tracks with Australian producers Pnau, and closed on a giant observe with mega-hit “My Delirium”.

Warpaint – a four-piece from Los Angeles – had been moody and technically sensible. The rock band had been effortlessly fashionable on stage, and had the gang swaying in awe.

On the primary Harvest stage, Bernard Fanning drew an enormous crowd regardless of his mid-afternoon placement, performing each solo tracks and a bunch of Powderfinger songs on the tail finish of the set.

Again on the Vines Stage, Chromeo kicked off the disco for the remainder of the night. With guitars decked out in chrome and silver, the duo introduced the vitality required to encourage some dance strikes within the crowd.

Nile Rodgers and Stylish continued this sense. The enduring songwriter, guitarist and singer deserved to headline on the Saturday, however his early-evening efficiency towards the pink Saturday sundown was gorgeous nonetheless. The person and his band’s setlist was an encyclopedia of pop and disco over the previous few a long time, that includes hits together with Daft Punk’s “Get Fortunate”, Stylish’s personal “Le Freak”, Bowie’s “Trendy Love”, Madonna’s “Materials Lady” and Diana Ross’s “I’m Coming Out”.

Earlier than most songs, Rodgers even talked about what number of Grammys he’d gained for that individual observe, to supportive cheers from the gang. It was a fan-favourite efficiency, for positive.

Earlier than the headliner, crowds flocked to catch DJ and producer duo Flight Services rush by means of the a long time for his or her famed “Many years DJ Set”. Presenting the dance hits of yesteryear, the pair stored toes busy and the temper excessive. Their efficiency included an audio-visual factor, with information footage from years passed by flashing in technicolour behind the duo – resulting in a clumsy second when “Rwandan genocide” popped up for just a few seconds whereas a Crystal Waters observe performed.

The ultimate act of the evening was the eccentric Jamiroquai. Decked out in an enormous American Indian headdress and an Adidas tracksuit, frontman Jay Kay danced and strutted throughout the stage to an adoring crowd, with the hits “Digital Madness”, “House Cowboy” and “Cosmic Lady” proving clear favourites.

A wierd stage of disconnect occurred when the singer did a short acknowledgement of nation earlier than leaping right into a weird didgeridoo-infused remix of a track. There was one thing incongruous in regards to the inclusion of this recognition of Australian Indigenous individuals by a British man carrying an American Indian headdress.

Sunday

Drained toes trudged again to the parklands for the second day of Harvest Rock II – a extra mellow affair with programming prioritising rock icons and pop stars over Saturday’s extra dance-focused line-up.

Constructed to Spill had been a spotlight of the early afternoon, although the 2pm slot appeared a bit unfair for a band that’s been influencing fashionable rock music for the reason that early ’90s. Nonetheless, the band performed a good set and vocalist and guitarist Doug Martsch did issues with a guitar this reviewer had by no means seen earlier than.

On the primary stage, Chet Faker proved he’s an Australian music competition staple for a cause. With extra hits than you may assume, he was a one-man present and drew a sizeable crowd as he noodled on his keyboard, guitar and synth. His voice nonetheless holds up because it did a decade in the past when he broke out with “No Diggity”.

Vera Blue was a imaginative and prescient within the afternoon in a sundress and angel wings. Her gorgeous voice commanded the Vines Stage, and she or he closed together with her personal rendition of the Flume observe on which she options, “Speeding Again”.

Santigold was one other spotlight of the Vines Stage. Her set was plagued with technical errors resulting in a observe stopping partway in, however the singer didn’t let it get to her and appeared to revel within the efficiency. She even had 15 or so viewers members – together with one man dressed as a pirate – be a part of her on stage to bounce.

It was American pop duo Sparks that stole your complete competition for this reviewer. Though not a headline act, the pair got here to impress and undoubtedly would have left Harvest Rock with just a few extra youthful followers than that they had earlier than. They had been kooky, quirky, campy and pleasant, with their mix of glam pop-rock offering a euphoric second over the 2 days. The group completely devoured the duo, who had been in Adelaide for the primary time, regardless of having been making music since 1966. Age is nothing however a quantity and the duo’s gorgeous efficiency proved that.

The Harvest Stage went into full gear on Sunday evening, with Paul Kelly taking part in a lot of his hits and basically appearing because the opening act for the day’s headliner, Beck.

Beck was electrical from the very first riff of opening observe “Devils Haircut”. Decked out in a double-breasted blazer and leather-based pants, the rock god’s setlist spanned his many eras and albums. He’s a real showman, and had one of the best audio-visual backing of your complete competition. His band was tight, his reference to the viewers robust, and his tunes insanely enjoyable as a bookend to the two-day competition.

The great and the not-so-good

Harvest Rock II did loads of good, however lacked in some obvious respects this yr – particularly when it got here to native acts.

What was nice was the organisers’ dedication to creating the weekend as accessible as doable. This was the primary main music competition I’ve been to the place AUSLAN interpreters had been current for each single act. In addition they acted as pseudo back-up dancers on the facet of stage, and developed a little bit of a cult following.

Wheelchair accessibility was additionally robust, with each levels having devoted, increased spots for these with mobility aides to comfortably watch.

Harvest Rock can also be extraordinarily child-friendly. Many dad and mom introduced their younger youngsters alongside to take a seat on dads’ shoulders and dance within the parklands. There was additionally a “Little Harvest” space for folks to entertain their youngsters.

However the lack of South Australian native artists on the music invoice was disappointing, with BAD//DREEMS the one Adelaide representatives. The competition this yr had the backing of the South Australian Tourism Fee, making the dearth of locals much more perplexing. The weekend would have been an enormous alternative for younger artists to achieve a brand new viewers, and there was definitely area within the competition grounds for a 3rd stage devoted to native bands. If SA is funding Harvest Rock, absolutely promoters can do higher by way of native illustration.

Regardless of this, Harvest Rock II was a triumph. Stunning climate mixed with world-class dwell music delivered a incredible, sunburnt weekend. When it returns subsequent yr – I’m positive it’ll – there’ll be a giant benchmark to beat.

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