Written by Sophie Wyatt
From the team behind Strawberry Fields, Wonder Mountain just returned for its most boot-scootin’ year to date. Taking over Beechworth town, this regional festival invites music lovers from all over the country to come down and enjoy everything the thriving community has to offer. Whilst also sporting your best cowboy gear of course.
Taking over Tanswell’s Hotel, the three-day festival filled the 160-year old pub with everything from line-dancing, to jazzy live acts, to outstanding disco sets. Whilst the Friday started with just a couple of the stages open throughout the building, it did not disappoint for an opening night. With all the cowboys and girls getting their bearings, the simple set up made for a perfect chance to explore our surroundings. And with a mix of Midnight Boil’s all night performance in the Disco Saloon, and Skinny Wizard’s closing set in the Dining Room, festival goers were left buzzing on their way home in anticipation of what the Saturday would bring.
Saturday brought with it endless sunshine, making for a beautiful setting; cowboys up and down the high street, skipping and cycling down to Tanswell’s through Beechworth’s unique old-school shop fronts. Throughout the day, we were spoiled with a mix of light disco tunes weaving through the Saloon and Cowboy Rave Cave, whilst the outside stages invited a more intimate setting for the live bands. Steady Weather, Shock Corridor and Close Counters were just some of the amazing local artists that stepped up to the plate, and knocked it out the park. Their performances were a reminder of the incredible live music scene within Victoria.
Over in the Disco Saloon, a last minute addition to the lineup, local legends Waxo Paradiso played one of their best sets to date. With a huge crowd wedged into the downstairs of the hotel, the pair delivered a mix of heavy dance beats and funky 70’s tracks which blew the crowd away. Waxo were then closely followed by the last DJ of the night, Dita. The Bali-based DJ and resident selector is best known for her eclectic sets blending proto-house, disco, 90s breaks, and Balearic beats. Jumping between disco remixes of Marvin Gaye tracks alongside classics such as Glued To The Spot by Cheryl Glasgow, Dita’s set left everyone feeling uplifted and content.
Whilst Wonder Mountain’s popularity amongst festival goers is growing year on year, the event remained intimate and community led. Which is refreshing in a time where so many festivals are becoming over-saturated and inaccessible for many. Wonder Mountain’s crowd were a tribute to the dedicated organisers who put so much time and thought into not only the lineup, but also the general ambiance of the weekend. This was Haste’s first visit to both Beechworth and Wonder Mountain, but it certainly won’t be our last.
