Meredith Music Festival 2024 review

Images: Craig Johnstone

The 32nd edition delivered a cutting-edge lineup. It consistently provided a peek into what’s next in the Australian and International music scene, along with a decent helping of established if not legendary acts and just a taste of throwback fun.

Friday

Uncontrollable delays in Meredith town caused a slower than usual vehicle entry on Friday, the greatly anticipated music kick off at 3pm couldn’t come soon enough.

Frenzee got things off to blistering start and were not the only band of the weekend to make you wonder where they had been all your life. The trio of siblings made full use of the opening slot leaving the crowd charged for the weekend with their high energy and loose style of punk power.

Good Morning expanded their numbers and had the hard task of following up the opening act.

Fat White Family made the most use of a nude body suit we’d seen in some time, with lead singer Lias Saoudi over the pit barrier and into the crowd almost immediately. Plenty of writhing around in the dirt, the microphone going places I’m sure it wishes it hadn’t. The motion camera lens got a lick cleaning for the ages – it was entertaining and captivating to say the least.

Waxahatchee and Glass Beams put in solid evening performances, as expected.

The highlight on Friday would have to have been Canberra’s Genesis Owusu. Powering through his explosive set, his rap-rock style was exactly what the crowd was seeking. A world class performance, it gave you the feeling that one day you’ll be able to say, “I saw them at Meredith once.”

The party went into the early hours until Meredith stalwarts Silence Wedge rounded off the music at 4am. Heart beating, eyes wide, it was time to stare at the tent roof for a while.

Saturday

Saturday began with a crowd conga line and the fun that is the City of Ballarat Municipal Brass Band. Mostly enjoyed while standing in queue for coffee.

Maple Glider started the day off with a solid set, then the NT’s Keanu Nelson kept the mellow vibe rolling.

Anticipation for legacy act Leo Sayer was high, and he provided the goods in a way that will be fondly remembered by all that were in attendance. An old pro and showman backed by years of experience, in the form of one of the tightest bands all weekend.

The only time Leo slipped may have been when he mistook a dozen or so people dressed as Bob Ross as folk who had dressed up as himself. Without their paint pallets or easels, Leo can be forgiven. No context. One of the Bob/Leo impersonators later told us “Shhh, that confusion is our little gift to Leo, he doesn’t need to know.”

Techno enigma, Sweden’s Olof Dreijer, played a set normally heard around 3am or later and got hip shaking at the Saturday afternoon rave.

BARKAA took to the Sup stage next, aggressive, truthful, honest, and angry, the Gadigal superstar left no doubt about how she felt when it comes to police or the system and did herself and ancestors proud. No punches were held back in an incredible set.

Melbourne’s own Angie McMahon charmed the crowd with her dreamy tones and looked thrilled, happy, and delighted to be there. It was another outstanding performance, including a cover of Aussie Crawl’s Reckless.

Sydney’s psychedelic drum and saxophone duo Party Dozen looped and layered the crowd into a frenzy. A podium place for best of the weekend would be a fair call. The future is right there.

Zapp bring a disco party vibe not seen since George Clinton or Nile Rodgers to the stage. A full show box and dice, think glittering synchronised dance moves, vocoder, and layers of funk. Dinner and a show…

The Meredith Sky Show led into headline act Jamie XX. The 36-year-old Englishman’s progressive and smooth electro took the crowd higher than the level required. Hold it down, hold it down! The entire Sup had hands in the air for classic Gosh. Above and beyond, it was an epic cherry on top of musically one of the best weekends imaginable.

Sunday

Sunday saw many weary heads, a slower half day of music beginning with some morning tai chi with Pop! - always a good way to start the day.

Sunday also always includes the famous Meredith Gift naked running race. A roped off course where the prize has included the golden undies and the golden robe over the years, along with bragging rights. Sometimes, of several kinds.

March Labour Day long weekend will see Golden Plains take place at the same venue and, no doubt, Aunty Meredith and the team will again bring the bliss.