It was a long time coming, but two major Newcastle music festivals returned for the first time since the pandemic with a bang on the weekend.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
This That and Scene & Heard went down at Wickham Park on Saturday and Sunday respectively after being postponed four times since November 2020 due to the coronavirus.
Public health order restrictions on singing and dancing at music festivals were lifted just in time, on February 25, for revellers to enjoy the live music to its full potential at both events.
After weeks of rain the sun also made a welcome appearance for This That to kick the weekend off with the muddy ground the only sign of torrential downpours that affected the state in the lead-up.
IN THE NEWS:
Thousands turned out to the Saturday event to be entertained by the likes of San Sisco, Dune Rats, Illy, Mallrat, Budjerah, Hayden James and What So Not across three stages.
Hamilton's Jordan Faith bought his tickets for the festival at the start of 2020, and held on to them with loyalty through all of the event's postponements.
"These people have had such a hard time trying to make a living out of music," he said.
"They've been living on starvation wages.
"So this was like a symbolic victory at the end of the pandemic.
"I can't believe how much I've been waiting for this to happen.
"I walked in here and said 'this is the world getting back into balance'.
Jordan also said it was nice to be able to step away from everything bad happening in the world at the moment to have a dance and listen to live music with friends.
For friends Sophie Milloy of Melbourne and Kimberley Masin of the Sunshine Coast, the new timing of the festival lined up perfectly for them to meet in the middle.
They first met each other through going to gigs, and have been able to get to a few festivals since the pandemic began, but said this was their first multiple stage music event with no COVID restrictions.
"It feels like things are getting back to normal," Kimberley said.
"There's something about buying a ticket and knowing you're supporting people who need it.
"We're giving back to a community that's given us so much," Sophie said.
Scene & Heard followed on Sunday, where festival goers had the chance to see Spiderbait, Grinspoon and Frenzal Rhomb.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
- Bookmark: newcastleherald.com.au
- Download our app
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram
- Follow us on Google News
Sage Swinton
Sage Swinton is a news reporter who was born and bred in the Hunter. She has been with the Newcastle Herald since June 2020, and covers Newcastle council as well as other general news.
Sage Swinton is a news reporter who was born and bred in the Hunter. She has been with the Newcastle Herald since June 2020, and covers Newcastle council as well as other general news.
