This year we bid farewell to Big Day Out, waved goodbye to Future Music Festival and, more recently, mourned as Soundwave trailed off into the darkness too. 2015 was a weird one for Australia’s live music scene but with all these cancellations of major nationwide festivals, we’ve seen the rise of boutique events that cater to a specific time, place or community.
When it comes to ringing in the new year we’re spoilt for choice, and NSW’s Lost Paradise is one of the many events taking place this December/January. Set in the beautiful Glenworth Valley, this is the obvious choice for all you quirky/arty/nature-loving punters. So when you’re not busy taking a yoga class, hitting up a burlesque show or going for a skinny dip, here’s the top six acts you can’t miss at Lost Paradise!
Yoga, burlesque and nudity. When it comes to NYE festivals Lost Paradise rates highly, and that’s without mentioning the lineup. Here are our top 6 picks.
Hot Dub Time Machine
If you’ve been to any major festival in the past twelve months, chances are you’ve already seen or at least heard of this guy! Performing under the delightfully punny moniker of Hot Dub Time Machine, Tom Loud has made a name for himself all over the world for his party playlist of timeless tunes and cult anthems from the 1960s straight up to 2015. Lost Paradise is a festival spanning over New Years Eve after all, so what better way to reminisce the past and get pumped for the future than sweating up a storm to a mashup of the finest hits from the past few decades.
George Maple
From her widely acclaimed breakthrough single Talk Talk to a string of big name collaborations with the likes of What So Not, Flume and Tkay Maidza, it’s not hard to believe George Maple has only been winning hearts across Australia for a few years now. Her unique blend of sultry RnB vocals with intricate electro beats has seen her take the stage at heavyweight festivals such as SXSW and Coachella, along with home-grown favourites Stereosonic and Listen Out amongst others, and receive (almost) nothing but praise. I’m fairly convinced 2016 will be the year George Maple takes over, so you better catch her now before she dives deep into the international market.
City Calm Down
Let’s face it, if I Oh You know anything, it’s how to produce/nurture/expose the world to bands that thrive in live settings – think Violent Soho, DZ Deathrays and DMA’s to name a few. Melbourne’s City Calm Down are no exception to this, with a line of killer performances up their sleeves and arguably one of the best debut albums seen this year. The band sits pretty comfortably between a commercial rock and post punk with lashings of deep vocals and atmospheric touches of reverb. City Calm Down are a nice addition to round off a diverse festival lineup that really does offer something for everyone.
Anna Lunoe
It really wouldn’t be a summer festival without a serious dose of bangers to help get your blood pumping and body moving. Luckily Lost Paradise sees the return of Australia’s own Anna Lunoe who’s here to cater for all your pulsing dance needs! Aside from being a kickass DJ, producer, songwriter and vocalist, this year saw Lunoe conquer radio too as she hosted her own show on Apple Music’s Beats 1. Needless to say, you’re always guaranteed a full throttle set from this tastemaker.
Ocean Alley
Are thumping basslines a little too aggressive for you? Well take a step this way and immerse yourself in the psychedelic world of Ocean Alley. This six-piece hailing from Sydney’s Northern Beaches have developed a solid cult following over the past few years, resulting in jam-packed local shows where fans grasp onto every word of their reggae stylings. With a debut album in the works this summer, Lost Paradise brings the promise of a glimpse into what we can expect from this. For fans of Sticky Fingers and Bootleg Rascal, Ocean Alley is one act not to miss!
I Know Leopard
If you’re not familiar with I Know Leopard yet, you soon will be! These Sydneysiders are the epitome of lush, dreamy pop with echoing vocals and a multitude of little touches that create an otherworldly sound. Their second EP Another Life was released this year, highlighting the band’s inherent knack for injecting depth, mood and ambience into every work they produce. I Know Leopard will be showcasing all their celestial glory and more ats Lost Paradise, set to ease you into whatever the day brings.
Lost Paradise 2015 is set to take place from the 29th to 31st December in the Glenworth Valley, about an hour north of Sydney. You can find the full lineup and ticketing details here!
