Last Saturday, Spilt Milk 2019 made its way to Commonwealth Park in Canberra and was a huge success. From the crazy outfits to festival food, with a whole lot of music in between, this year’s Spilt lived up to the expectations. Backyard Opera has full coverage of must-see acts and the places to be, just in time for the festival’s appearance in Ballarat this weekend.

In the sweltering Canberra heat, sunkissed shoulders shuffled through the lines and into the massive festival grounds. Commonwealth Park was home to two main stages, spreading out crowds between the Angrove and Basquiat stages, along with the Derbyshire side stage and the Barcardi El Loco Tropical Danceria. While the walkway between the Angrove and Basquiat stage turned into a dustbowl by the end of the event, Spilt Milk made the most of the space they had, effectively decongesting spaces and flowing lines between the stages, food/drink stalls and toilet facilities. As long as you weren’t wearing white, Commonwealth Park was the perfect festival ground.

The Angrove Stage played host to some of the festival’s biggest names, including headliner Khalid. With music starting as early as 11:05am, there were some incredible acts kicking the day off. Whether tucked away in the shade of the surrounding treeline, kicking back in the VIP ‘Sitting Pretty’ Bar or moshing in the thick of the masses, the crowd rolled out in droves from the very start of the day. Particular mention has to go to the Psychedelic Porn Crumpets and Lime Cordiale, with a stellar rendition of their Like A Version cover of the Divinyls’ “I Touch Myself”, for their energetic performances, setting a breakneck pace for the rest of the day. With a huge open field to fill, the stage was shoulder to shoulder pack as Ocean Alley took the stage. Last year’s Triple J Hottest 100 winners played a relaxed but exciting set, matching the late afternoon vibe to give the crowd one last bit of calm before the headliners. One of the moments of the day was the crowd singing along their cover of Player’s “Baby Come Back”. The final trio of the rocky Dune Rats, indie CHVRCHES and pop Khalid gave everyone who committed to this stage a unique flavour of music to experience.

Heading through the one-way circuit path between stages, those who braved the dusty trail would find themselves at the Basquiat Stage. 

The massive, river-side stage played host to early treats like Confidence Man, with their fully choreographed dance set and bright costumes, and Winston Surfshirt, who must be commended for pulling double duty and playing another DJ Set at the Bacardi Danceria. The pop/hip-hop mixtures of All-Day and Illy were accessible and drew in the crowds, but by the late afternoon they had to compete with the draining energy of a tiring crowd. As the mood dropped, the responsibility of firing everyone up again fell on Dom Dolla. The sun set, the party began and he did exactly that. Between his latest hit “San Frandisco”, the filthy drops of his earlier work, or the outsourcing of vibes when he said screw it and played Fisher’s “Stop It”, he had the crowd in the palm of his hand. In the front row, there was furious moshing. In the back, fists were pumping. Everywhere in between, the people were bouncing. His killer set, combined with the amazing light show, cascading confetti pieces and the earthshaking speaker set up, was a highlight for many attendees. However, everything Dom Dolla excelled in could be said for the Basquiat stage’s headline act, Golden Features. Set on the backdrop of a technicolour LED explosion, his lone silhouette and distinct facemask make his live performances feel more important. During the slow electronic build-ups of hits like “Falling Out”, “Medicate” and “Worship”, the neon lasers and hectic strobes synchronised the audience’s heartbeats to the thumping bass, taking them on a short, adrenaline-fuelled journey before exploding on the drop. 

The festival wasn’t exclusively about music, with plenty of side activities peppered across the festival grounds. The Bacardi Danceria offered three different exclusive Mojito cocktails, along with cabana style umbrellas and chairs, and a small undercover dance floor that hosted an Amrita dance class. Nearby the massive food village, which catered to every culinary craving imaginable, there were also clothes and fashion stalls. From summer dresses to band tees to festival accessories, everything was on display. There was even a lime green Mankini for sale, which would later make an appearance by the Basquiat stage for Dom Dolla. 

Spilt Milk 2019 was a great day for all involved. With effective management, the packed festival went off relatively safely and without any stress. Free water stations and health tents ensured patrons could enjoy themselves and have a good time, despite the harsh November heat. For information about set times and a map for Ballarat this Saturday, be sure to check out the Spilt Milk website here: https://spilt-milk.com.au/ballarat/info/

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