After a one year hiatus, it was so great to be back in one of the most beautiful places on earth! The phenomenal performances, delicious cuisine, amazing team of staff and volunteers, stunning weather and YOU – our amazing audience who really know how to bring it.
The headliners always draw a crowd and didn’t disappoint. Missy Higgins was incredible, Boy and Bear had everyone singing, Adalita shredded through Magic Dirt’s set of hits, Jacob Banks mesmerised the crowd with R&B soul, Saint Motel were electrifying, The Living End punched out high octane hits and Dan Whitford’s vibed-up Cut Copy DJ set was the perfect way to close the show.
A place for discovery, Wanderer always delivers new artists to fall in love with and this year The Tullamarines, Folk Bitch Trio, Nikki Lane, Dust, Any Young Mechanic, Bec Sandridge, Dug and so many more talented artists left with a tonne of new fans.
The Big Lost Band pulled 150 local musicians together to form an impressive rock’n’roll super group. The Riverbend Choir joining Missy Higgins for three songs was pure magic that surely couldn’t be topped.
Then a 12 year old boy in the audience for The Living End held up a sign “Can I drum with you?” and changed everything. The Living End cranked through their set and with just two songs to go, rolled the dice and invited Noah on stage. He picked the song (Prisoner of Society) the band prayed he could pull it off and what happened next was the stuff of legends that no one will ever forget.
Ever evolving, the new layout worked a treat and Wanderhaus DJs was a welcome addition which had the Drifter tent dancing into the night. Wanderer is a place for everyone, and it showed this year more than ever in both the programming and the spaces. From the chilled out slopes overlooking the Wanderer Stage and Sam’s caravan, interactive shows in Lost to the pulsing dance floor in Drifter and all-in huge sets in front of the main stages.
The arts program was a highlight too with hilarious performances in Lost and La Petite Grand. The Hobby Horse Gymkhana could not have been more silly or serious, Circus Trick Tease was spectacular and their many sideshows were so fun. Flings flash mob surprised and delighted. I Wear Wanderer fashion workshop decked out many festival goers in designer threads, many of whom returned for the now legendary Catwalk fashion show on Sunday afternoon.
