Stonefest: the Music Festival a Stone’s Throw Away
By Yasmine Killeen
It’s been a rough year for many of us here at UC. Plenty of students have spent the last year studying, and preparing for exams. So, what better way to celebrate the end of yet another fateful school year than the annual Stonefest music festival?
It was my first Stonefest, and as a live music lover and avid concert attendant, I was shocked that I hadn’t made the effort last year to make an appearance.
Some may be anxious to give Stonefest a go if they’re unsure what a local concert has to offer them.
It makes me proud to know that my school was able to bag such an abundance of talent and share it with a city that isn’t always considered the most ripe destination for this type of event.
I arrived on the dot, eager to not miss a thing (I get major FOMO). Of course, the crowds hadn’t exactly gathered yet, but there were tons already on campus, ready to take in as much entertainment as possible. Apart from the stages, there were food trucks, as well as a barber stand offering free trims. Where else could you find more unique attractions?
First on the stage was the wonderful Wallabindi, who performed the Welcome to Country, and several fantastic original songs that perfectly set up the mood for the rest of the night. Lead singer Monica Moore is Canberra born and bred and thoroughly enjoyed singing for her home crowd.
It was time now for one of my new all-time favourite acts, Sonic Reducer. I’ve seen my fair share of punk bands, making waves locally around town. And with that comes the theatrics.
There was pure energy and rage cascading off the stage, with a powerful voice at the centre.
In only a few minutes the crowd gathered from seemingly out of nowhere to watch the action. It was straight out of the 90s, reminiscent of the early days of Nirvana and Kurt Cobain. It was as good as live performances can get, and I couldn’t take my eyes off the stage.
I snuck backstage to get a quick word with the eccentric lead singer. He was more than happy to answer my questions - turns out he’s got a soft side!
Simply put, I asked him about his favourite part of performing at Stonefest.
The band has been touring Australia, but playing for the Canberra audience was still important to him.
“Definitely getting to play in our hometown.
“Getting to spend time here and play for our locals is so important to us,” he said.
Outdoors again, Jett Blyton, your new favourite pop boy, was up next. Jett is only a high school student, already making waves across the nation. The best way I could describe his style is Chappell Roan meets Troye Sivan.
I also managed to get a word from him after his set. He was just as kind as you’d expect him to be. I asked him the same question.
“Stonefest was so much fun, I’d do it again in a heartbeat. I love Canberra, and I love UC.”
It wasn’t just excitement on the stages - plenty of students were dressed to impress. There was almost as much entertainment in the grass as there was up above, with an appearance from some banana brothers, and a couple of fairies.
The event also brought Lucy Sugerman's first Stonefest performance, but for anyone who thought they’d already seen her around campus is right - she used to work at UC. Her comfort and familiarity with the Bruce campus really showed during her set.
Lucy’s voice made for one of the best live performances I’ve ever heard. Hate to state the obvious, but it felt weird that the campus was being graced with what felt like stardom you only see in Hollywood.
What is a song without the juicy details behind it? A side of gossip served with some tunes. One of Lucy’s songs was about going on a date and seeing your ex-boyfriend on a date too. Scandalous! (And unfortunately relatable). Lucy's cover of Toxic will forever go down as one of my favourite renditions ever.
Her last song was He Loves Me, He Loves Me not. Well need not worry, we love Lucy, no doubt about it.
The most amazing aspect of the event for me was the weather. I’ve become so accustomed to rainy days, ponchos, umbrellas, and soggy shoes, that I forgot what it’s like to enjoy the sunshine in a crowd that isn’t fighting for shelter.
The previous week had seen nothing but cloudy skies and downpour, but it was as if the sun shined just for the performers, letting their audience know that they couldn’t be using a sunny day any better than supporting their acts.
Up near the bar, was Kitschen Boy from Melbourne. The lead singer caught a train from Sydney for this. But it was worth the trip. Seriously, another band that deserves more attention. They had already struck up an electric following, and you could tell by the excitement of the crowd.
The Buoys certainly missed Canberra, you could just tell by how passionately they played for their fans. And there were heaps of them.
They left the stage with some wise words, a gentle reminder for anyone still living with doubts - “You’re hot Canberra, don’t let the haters tell you otherwise.”
Up next was Great Gable from Campbell, Perth. I could tell this was a band that the crowd had been waiting for. Everyone knew the lyrics to You’re My Best Friend.
The band was staying in a trailer park specifically for this gig. They played other hits like Think Again (Motherf**ker) and the Mario theme song.
Shockingly, the band said they were rusty, but that did not sound like it was the case at all. The music was superb, and everyone looked like they were having a ball. The electronic melodies took me back to summer 2018, listening to songs like Marlboro Nights and songs by the all-time great band Her’s during a peaceful drive.
Soon the crowds were at their peak, night had fallen, and the stage was lighting up the sky. The perfect setting for the night’s most anticipated performance: May-A. Underneath the moonlight, the crowd went crazy for this memorable performance, with Mary Cumming inviting everyone to “Have a little sway, go a little crazy.”
Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to see the last two bands go on stage due to a crisis (unfinished assignments).
But what is my absence if not a call to action – don’t go about this event the same way I did. Take the initiative next year to grab your friends and hear the music for yourself. Trust me, it's worth it!