SPIN OFF FESTIVAL

@ Adelaide Showground

(Live Review)

20/07/18

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After a five year hiatus, Spin Off Festival returned this past weekend to a sold out crowd at the Adelaide showgrounds. With a lineup consisting of a handful of the best local and international acts playing Splendour in the Grass, and headlined by U.K. favourites The Wombats, Spin Off had expectations set high as the ultimate condensed version of Splendour.

The set up of the festival within the grounds was similar to festivals, Oh Yes and Groovin the Moo except the stage itself was inside the Jubilee Pavilion. This meant it was easy to navigate around, also meaning the crowd weren’t too cramped at any point; an important aspect of an all ages gig. The big screen set up in the courtyard, close to the market stalls, meant those who were outside at any point weren’t missing out on any of the action. The food trucks provided punters with a selection of foods, while the well staffed bars at the back of the Pavilion made it easy to grab a quick drink or two between sets.

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The day kicked off just after 12 with Spin Off‘s Triple J Unearthed competition winner and Adelaide’s own, Mane, followed closely by indie artist Eves Karades. G Flip‘s set, complete with a drum solo, got the crowd buzzing with Killing My Time, and a crowd rendition of About You, while Alex the Astronaut followed to keep the momentum of the day going.

The turning point in the day’s energy had to go to YUNGBLUD. The cheeky Brit blew up the pavilion with his infectious energy and attitude. Storming the stage with his signature pink socks, he started his set with 21st Century Liability, with the beat itself having an immediate effect causing the crowd to jump and go wild. I Love You, Will You Marry Me, of course got the biggest reaction with the crowd nearly drowning out YUNGBLUD‘s voice. His showman antics came to a high during King Charles, with his intricate footwork and moves keeping eyes glued to him with both the crowd and YUNGBLUD himself mirroring each others energy and excitement of being there. After describing the Adelaide crowd as the “best crowd” to a response of cheers, he smashed through Anarchist, Polygraph Eyes, and Medication, and leapt across the stage during Psychotic Kids. As he began California as his last song of his set, he was told he needed to leave the stage. As a promise to the disappointed crowd, YUNGBLUD aimed to meet everyone outside at the meet and greet tent.

While Skeggs took to the stage, many chose to watch the set from outside as they chilled out with food and drinks, while others stayed in the Pavilion happily immersing themselves in the band’s surfy rock sound.

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Perth rockers, Methyl Ethel took to the stage next with their psychedelic sound, allowing the crowd to reserve their energy for The Jungle Giants who followed.  As expected, The Jungle Giants got the crowd jumping and moving with an explosion of energy rippling through everyone during the likes of Feel The Way I Do and She Looks Like A Riot.

Meg Mac appeared glamorously in a pant suit for an effortless performance that led the crowd to be hanging off every word she sang. As she worked the stage and her way through her set, her smooth vocal soared over the crowd, briefly calming them, ready for the rest of the night.

The Smith Street Band were up next and much to the delight of the rowdy crowd. After their sell out show at Thebby Theatre earlier on in the year, Adelaide were ready to catch these Melbourne rockers again. The set list including, Young Drunk, Death to the Lads, Passiona, Birthdays, and obvious favourite, Ducks Fly Together, made sure voices would be lost come the morning. As second to the top spot in Spin Off‘s lineup, The Smith Street Band were the best choice to get the crowd rowdy and pumped ready for headliners, The Wombats.

It seems as though The Wombats appear on our shores at least once a year to deliver a killer show, with this trip as no exception. Ploughing through old hits and a few from their new album, The Wombats turned Spin Off into the ultimate party. Throughout the day, the anticipation (and crowd size) for these guys had been growing, with first song, Cheetah Tongue, sending a burst of energy through the crowd. Give Me a Try, Techno Fan, and Emoticons, got everyone bopping and dancing, while the likes of Kill The Director, Tokyo (Vampires & Wolves) and Greek Tragedy got everyone belting out the lyrics equally as loud as frontman Matthew Murphy. Party track, Let’s Dance to Joy Division, combined all the elements of a typical Wombats gig; good vibes, a tonne of energy, and a stage crashed by giant wombats. The night ended on a high, as every festival should, and here’s to hoping we won’t have to wait another five years for Spin Off Festival to come around again.

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