Five Things We Learnt At OutsideIn 2014
Three years in, and OutsideIn is still like love at first sight. Check out what we learnt at this year's festival.
It's easy to say that third time's a charm, but what about first and second? In terms of Sydney boutique festival, OutsideIn, it's three year empire can be summarised as beyond impressive, though through a few changes to their most recent instalment for the 2014 edition, organisers Astral People and Yes Please have really welcomed us to their genius vision.
With a change of venue, a larger crowd and their greatest lineup of local and international talent yet, the third ever OutsideIn was definitely a day that won't be forgotten any time soon.
Acts such as Retiree, Collarbones, Guerre, Giraffage and Andras & Oscar kept the sun shining bright with their innovative and distinctive individual styles. As day fell into night, Fishing, Black Vanilla, Seekae, Pantha Du Prince and The Pharcyde left their audiences in a state of awe through their glowing stage presence and unfathomable talent.
A hugely successful day, here are some things we learnt from attending OutsideIn 2014.
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1. Astral People know how to transform any venue into an amazing festival.
Setting up camp within the gates of Marrickville's Factory Theatre, the first and second OutsideIn events were thought to have achieved so much, partly due to the venue they had initially deemed home. With news that this year was to be held at Sydney University's live music hub, Manning House, some speculated the disadvantages of this change, despite the beneficial growth in capacity.
Though through utilising not only the main room, but also the courtyard on the bottom floor, as well as the introduction of a transparent tent blanketing the outdoor Red Bull Music Academy stage, OutsideIn's set-up and overall vibe undoubtedly suprised everyone in attendance; instantly offering a homely, comfortable feel to the festival's new venue.
2. OutsideIn's lighting and crafty decorations are always on point. (Photo by Voena)
Whether you jumped around with Basenji in the Courtyard, danced to No Zu upstairs or embraced your sensitive side at the Red Bull stage with Andras & Oscar, you definitely would have eventually let your eyes also dance around the area to appreciate the crafty side of OutsideIn.
Not only do they run a different theme each year with their creative artwork to promote the festival prior to the event, they also deck out each stage with nifty, handmade pieces, too. The Courtyard was treated to "flowers on steroids" planted in the surrounding garden beds, with mutli-coloured lighting and bright orange bunting harmoniously zig-zagging above the heads of the punters, whereas the main stage offered projectors, with large, skeletal pyramids and 3D diamonds made out of brightly painted wood that sat at either end of the stage. Although both of these areas were dressed with a quirky, fun edge, the Red Bull stage had arguably the best decor of the bunch, as huge, purpley-blue jellyfish were suspended to the ceiling of the tent. Once the sun had set, each jellyfish illuminated, as the tentacles of these marine creatures were filled by solar-powered rope lighting.
Each design in the three different areas set a scene that did not distract, but heighten the overall impact of the artist's performance before you. Alongside the music, it's these small additions to the festival that make OutsideIn the atmospheric, creative entity that it's so gracefully come to be.
3. Giraffage is boss at remixing classics.
Whether you checked him out at Oxford Art Factory some Thursdays ago, or simply chase his ever-growing Soundcloud catalogue, you'd know that Fools Gold signee, Giraffage, doesn't mind remixing a song or two. Artistically mixing his own tracks into these forgotten gems during his live show, Giraffage turned heads during his OutsideIn performance with his take on some trance / techno / r'n'b classics.
At one moment, he'd be playing his track, 'Home', and then out of nowhere take us all back to 1999's 'Better Off Alone', originally by Alice Deejay. He continued this method, too dusting off his lightweight version of Sardust's, 'Music Sounds Better With You', as well as spin the pretty array of colours that sparkle their way through his interpretation of Janet Jackson's, 'Someone To Call My Lover'.
Also briefly touching on Kanye's, 'Bound 2' and the universally acknowledged default iPhone ringtone, Giraffage absolutely slayed at OutsideIn, making it one of the sweatiest sets of the day. To top it all off, he wrapped things up with Australia's number one comeback track that's been reaching many a dancefloor as of late - Darude's, 'Sandstorm'. Killer.
4. Using collaborative artists from your back catalogue to perform with you on stage really brings your music to life
Have you ever watched an artist perform live, yet were left with no choice but to play part of their set with a backing track due to absent vocalists? It's kind of a shame to witness, yet you still find yourself enthralled by their performance, because it's still an incredible show.
Then there are artists who manage to round up the troops and commit to their live show 110%. An example of this joy was found at OutsideIn's Red Bull stage this year, thanks to Sydney duo Fishing. Having released their long-awaited [and very good] debut full-length, Shy Glow, earlier this year, those familiar with the record would know of the league of legends who lent their gifted vocals to the record's filler.
Although not all of these collaborators could make it to the stage last Saturday night, fans were spoilt with live appearances from Marcus Whale of Collarbones and Cloud Control's Alister Wright, who not only sang, but also helped out on the drum machines throughout the entire set. The involvement of these guys stepping up to the mic influenced a greater impact than they had probably anticipated, in turn heightening the experience of Fishing's live show for all that were present on the night.
5. Although sharing a bill with Internationals, local acts draw an impressively large crowd.
Ran by management & touring collective, Astral People, in conjunction with innovative record label, Yes Please, both Sydney-based bodies do an incredible job of stringing together the annual OutsideIn lineup. Showcasing some big figures from over the waters, they of course bring together a bunch of Australia's prized possessions to complete the lineup.
Although these local artists are intensely talented, the International acts may appear to be more attractive, as they are harder to come by in the eyes of a live music audience member. Not to say these guys didn't pull a large crowd (because they definitely did), it was really nice to see some of Australia's very own receiving the same treatment.
One particular group that comes to mind from OutsideIn 2014 is Sydney outfit Seekae. Now fashioning three very different records under their belt, the most recent release, The Worry, has of course expanded their fanbase, and rightly so. Taking to the main stage just before 9pm, the three heroes walked onto the main stage to find a completely packed out room.
The audience continuing to grow volumes in size as their set progressed, Seekae wowed us with their ability to apply three completely different records into a very together set.
As three years have now passed us by, Astral People and Yes Please should be ridiculously proud of what they've achieved and continue to do so passionately for music here in Australia. Opening minds and satisfying palettes, OutsideIn is just one of many events Astral People put on; we can't wait to see what they come up with come 2015!
Words by Hannah Galvin.
Photo by Voena.
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