If there’s a festival that curates the perfect dance and RnB festival every year, it’s definitely none other than Listen Out. There’s nothing quite like starting off Spring with a weekend festival. Melbournians had the chance to show some skin and sweat it out at this year’s humid hosting.
The line up blended the perfect mix of international sensationals such as Future, Bryson Tiller, Mac Miller, Little Simz, Duke Dumont and local acts such as Safia, Pnau, What So Not and Alice Ivy peppered throughout the event.
Despite some uncharacteristic Melbourne heat, Listen Out 2017 proved to be one of the festival’s best vibes to date.
New Yorker Jai Wolf was quick to drive a barbaric atmosphere to the stage. Vibey times for those brave enough to arrive early.
UK’s power girl Little Simz graced us with her humble stage presence, her third time to Australia seeing her perform more confidently than ever. The crowd’s energy levels were high as she performed a mix of old classics and new tracks.
She hinted that some new material would be coming our way soon when she performed a single she’d only previously played a handful of times, and towards the end of her set she swiped out a blue electric guitar. All that dancing and her green beret didn’t fall off once. Bless.
Next was Mac Miller who didn’t mess about. Fans boogied to his nostalgic set and anxiously waited out for him to perform Snap Back.
Modest house sensation Malaa powered through beat after beat as crowds got down low and kicked up the dust in true festival fashion. In usual style, he donned a black Spring Breakers ski mask and black body suit, a poor choice for the forecasted 27 degrees but a symbol of his signature style.
The festival really looked out for punters with plentiful water and food stations, even marking the poles with numbers so lost friends could be reunited. Volume was higher than ever and there was space to spread out and dance for those who didn’t want to experience a splashed red bull to the bare thighs.
Bryson Tiller was a crowd favourite. Every woman’s dream man was suave and sexy, wooing us with Don’t, Exchange and even the new pop collaboration with Riri – Wild Thoughts. Single or taken, everyone left in a total state of lust.
Best saved for last, Future’s Australian-first set had almost everyone filled with butterflies. As expected it was pitch perfect and of the highest quality – the rapper who has paved the path for today’s trap gen was finally in the country.
Atlanta’s own jumped out in a black hoodie and jeans, keeping it real. F*ck Up Some Commas, Jumpman, Low Life, Thought it was a Drought and in the words of the man himself “we gotta do Mask Off” featured on the set list. This almost made us forgive him for doing the dirty on Ciara.
You’ve done it again, Listen Out. Until next year.
Listen Out Sydney is on this weekend. Grab your tickets here.
