Reow! After much anticipation, Wildlands Festival hit Brisbane Showgrounds on 7 January, bringing together some of the biggest names in music for an unforgettable night of spicy electronic and R&B flavours.
With headliners Diplo, KAYTRANADA and Bicep, we hit the ground running to bring you the musical highlights from the festival.
KAYTRANADA captured by Mitch Lowe
KAYTRANADA
KAYTRANADA’s live DJ set was nothing short of a masterclass in live electronic music.
Known for its soulful and hypnotic qualities, he brought his signature groovy basslines and syncopated rhythms which held the crowd in a trance from start to finish. He pumped out a hit list of his own productions, including ‘10%’ ‘Lite Spots’ and ‘You’re The One’, weaved with samples from classic soul and R&B songs adding the right amount of nostalgia. His visuals were soporific and trippy, pulsing colour and abstraction matching the sounds flooding the showgrounds perfectly. The atmosphere grew in anticipation throughout the set, as the Canadian producer/DJ took the Wildlands crowd from dusk to dark in the best way possible.
A standout performance, not just for the festival, but the wider Australian circuit this summer.
DOM DOLLA
It warms my heart, having followed an artist from playing the small stages at early timeslots to commanding a mainstage at a major national festival.
This Aussie DJ slash producer’s filthy deep-house sound wasn't just heard during his Wildlands set; it was felt. The people piled in droves around the main stage, to witness the sheer genius that goes into delivering a tight electronic set fixed with all the pyrotechnic bells and whistles. The crowd was thriving through hits such as ‘Take It’ and ‘San Frandisco’, as shots of flames, smoke and lasers painted the sky. Dom Dolla delivered nothing but high-energy and raw, unfiltered talent.
It’s encouraging to see an Aussie artist being received just as enthusiastically by the crowd as their global counterparts. Get it, Dom!
TKAY MAIDZA
Miss Maidza left no crumbs! This Zimbabwean-Australian singer-songwriter overtook The Wilds stage, delivering her unique hip-hop sass to the sea of adoring fans gathered to see her.
Her powerful lyrics and energetic moves elevated the set, as she lead us through hits such as ‘Shook’, ‘Flexin’ and ‘Cashmere’. She also dazzled with a cherrypick of classic covers, including the widely loved ‘Where Is My Mind’ by Pixies, which she completely made her own. Tkay's lyrics contain a sharp wit and social commentary and this performance was a true showcase of her skills as a rapper. Her flow was effortless and her delivery was confident and commanding.
The energy was high and the crowd was living for it, making for a truly unforgettable experience.
SG LEWIS
The British electronic soul artist, SG Lewis, took the Safari stage with his effervescent and mesmerising sounds. Reminiscent of sitting poolside at a day club, his set was uplifting and colourful, all that was missing was a fruity cocktail in hand. The crowd was immediately drawn in by Lewis' stage presence as he pumped out his hits "Holding Back" and ‘Chemicals’ amongst others. Throughout the set, he performed a mix of his own songs and remixes of other artists, showcasing his versatility as a producer. Known for its soulful and emotional qualities, he used live instruments such as guitar and keyboards to add a human touch to his electronic productions. As if that wasn't enough, he also dripped in live vocals and harmonies, adding a new dimension to his sun-drenched performance.
