Olsen really knows how to pull these songs from deep in her chest and stretch them out masterfully, creating the most dramatic, emotional effect.Īfter punching through 'Shut Up Kiss Me' and simmering on 'Right Now', she gave us a final sing-along as she reset the band for a rendition of 'Without You', the Badfinger song made famous by Harry Nilsson and Mariah Carey. She had us spellbound as her dramatic songs of love and heartbreak soared around the amphitheatre with incredible power. For this tour, however, she brought a big band with a lovely string section and the rich instrumentation was the perfect accompaniment to her stunning voice. That presence is so captivating, she could've had us all in the palm of her hand even if she had played solo. It's that kind of community spirit – which can't be manufactured or faked – that underpins Golden Plains from the ground up and makes it (and Meredith) treasured among Australian festivals.įrom happy faces in the Helper Huts, to those keeping the dunnys clean, or serving up the famous snags at the Community Café, Golden Plains is built on good will and good vibes, making for a magical experience every single time.įollowing warm-up sets from Mo'Ju, Armand Hammer, KOKOROKO and the sizzling guitar workouts of the "Jimi Hendrix of the West African desert", Mdou Moctar, we're graced with the presence of Angel Olsen. "I volunteer my time and give my payment to the local footy club." Bless you, Bill. ![]() A local festival veteran in his 60s, Bill swooped in an offered us a ride, sharing his love for Golden Plains along the way. The first? Copping a lift from Bill, a volunteer with a buggy who took pity on us hauling waaay too much gear from the gates to the far-flung South Pines camping grounds. The festival is renowned for its maverick approach to programming, and this year was no different, marked by some massive musical gear changes and plenty of unpredictable moments. ![]() Three years on from the last COVID-impacted edition, but merely months on from Meredith Music Festival's 30th anniversary, the Golden Plains festival made a grand return to provide another beautiful musical adventure.
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