Yonder Festival is back in 2022, boasting an eclectic lineup of unconventional talent and a wonderfully immersive experience for festivalgoers who like to be just that little bit more enchanted.
Really, they had us at eclectic and immersive, but let’s dive a little deeper.
The festival is literally exploring new ground, relocating to the Scenic Rim for 2022. But the program will continue deliver the expected vibe: a culture of diversity, innovation, inclusion, and positivity where punters are invited to dive into a temporal world of discovery where art-forms meld into new ideas and fantastical experiences.
Festival Director, Lincoln Savage, says he is grateful for the continuous community support that has made it possible to present another edition of Yonder, this time in the incredible Lost World Valley in the Scenic Rim.
“Welcoming eclectic and diverse acts for the fourth Yonder after making it through unique challenges in previous years is a valuable celebration from significant artists coming together in an immersive and surreal environment,” he says.
“We are excited to be welcoming loop pedal ninja Kenta Hayashi from Japan, Haiku Hands bringing their all-female high energy hybrid pop and Miles Brown, whose surreal Theremin performances break well past the norm.
“Yirinda whose polyrhythmic mastery is guided by generations of story and culture, the ‘Talking High Chief’ (Tulafale alii), Kitch (Taitu’uga), will be sharing his Samoan cultural knowledge and Tjaka showcasing their unique hip-hop informed by their Aboriginal heritage.”
“Yonder is built on a balance of all artforms and focuses on artists who are starting to break out. We encourage people to attend Yonder not because of the artists they know, but those they don’t – we hope Yonder provides an eclectic experience for people to discover their new favourite acts.”
Across four stages, audiences will witness the work of both international and local emerging talent, who, despite the challenges of past years, have all pushed their crafts to new heights.
As the stages warm up, let your hair down to the raucous riffs of Full Flower Moon Band and punk sensation Girl and Girl, or lose yourself to the bouncing rhythms and lyrical genius of acts like Safety Club, Tjaka, Life on Earth and Accomplice Collective.
Fans of the Brisbane live music scene will be excited to catch favourites like Platonic Sex and Echowave, while those after something new will find the euphoric frequencies of the acclaimed theremin maestro Miles Brown or the transcendent guitar layers of Japan's Kenta Hayashi enlightening and intoxicating.
For non-stop boogies, look no further than the DJ oasis at Yonderland – an immersive dance space will serve everything from high energy disco to deep, euphoric tech-house and dives into afro-fused jazz breaks. Punters can dance the day away with sunny selections from the likes of Bad Taste House Collective and David Versace, before revelling in the deep night with pounding bass from Theyphex Twins and expert curations from Echo and Bounce, featuring live electronic dance sets from Fatshaudi and Lithe.
Back by popular demand, those looking to sink into the subtle tones of down-tempo and experimental music can return to Yonder’s ambient stage The Space Between Notes.
Featuring two-hour long sets across the board, this space is reserved for relaxation, meditation and deep listening. Lay back in the subtle glow of artists like Mekema, Imitation Therapy and HHAARRPP, or ride the monumental waves of synth textures that roll out from Spirit Lights, Deceased Estates and Timothy Fairless.
Across the extensive arts program, Yonder will also feature a plethora of whimsical roving performances and on-stage delights - think the electric energy of The Cassettes Flash Mob, the daring feats of Highline Australia and the enchanting freeflight demonstrations of Manko the Macaw.
There’s also a huge range of workshops on offer. Visitors can allow their creativity to blossom in the Paper Wildflower Making Workshop inspired by native flora, or discover their sense of harmony through the guided humming and hand movements of Osho Nadabrahma Meditation.
An array of boutique food stalls and artisanal market stalls will be enjoyed by all throughout the festival weekend, supplying individuals with a variety of dining options and enabling them to support local businesses whilst warming their souls and bellies.
Yonder Festival runs from 24 to 26 November, 2022 at Lost World Valley. Early bird tickets for this year’s event have now sold out, with a second release now live. For all information on this year’s program, full talent lineup and to purchase tickets, please visit yonderfestival.com.