REVIEW – ABILITY FEST 2019
An all inclusive, all access festival with a purpose
MEL Live were invited to attend Ability Fest 2019 at the Coburg Velodrome on April 7 2019.
Supported by UNTITLED, the Dylan Alcott Foundation, ANZ and Vanessa, the festival brought together amazing Australian acts in the name of supporting Young Australians with disabilities.
Highlights
Gold Coast band Arroyo performing their singles Hold and Please Just Let Me Know, finishing on a cover of The Killers When You Were Young.
Talented indie-pop darling Eliza Hull singing her songs and rocking out on the piano, dedicating one of her songs to the festival while speaking of her own personal disability.
Melisa Bester a.k.a. E^ST bringing her indie-electronica to the main stage, bringing the first big crowds of the day to sing along to her tracks including Life Goes On and I Don’t Lack Imagination.
Joyride performing from his debut album Sunrise Chaser and showcasing his loveable hip-hop tunes for an adoring crowd. Key moments included Aunty Tracey’s Cookies and 6am.
Fan-favourite electronic artist Kilter bringing out all his friends to play alongside him throughout the set with guitarist Timi Temple, and vocalists LANKS and Y O R K E.
Half human, half machine Kim Churchill and his one-man band had the crowd wild as they sang along to every lyric in his folk, rock and blues. The perfect set for a pleasant Sunday afternoon, equal parts relaxation and party.
Australian supergroup ARC – Antipodean Rock Collective brought to Ability Fest a who’s who of Australian music with members from You Am I, Jet, Spiderbait and Powderfinger. They also thought (correctly) that they would play through a setlist of Australia’s best music. It was well received to say the least with the crowd singing and dancing along.
As nightfall descended on the punters at Ability Fest, it was time for Northeast Party House. Familiar with the Australian festival scene, the Melbournians performed their indie dance music with tracks including Calypso Beach, For You, Heartbreaker and The Haunted. Northeast Party House are always a favourite at festivals and Ability Fest proved to be no exception.
Dylan Alcott. Seeing him on stage and hearing him speak about the purpose of Ability Fest was one of the highlights of the night, putting a day and night of fun into perspective. Discussing the true meaning around the festival’s origin, we couldn’t help but feel the gravity around what’s next in festival inclusion. As the young generations continue to set the example, it was great to look around and know that everyone believed in what was being discussed. Exciting times ahead.
The Presets, electronic duo consisting of Julian Hamilton and Kim Moyes, have been around since 03′ and have been playing the Australian circuit for many years. Regardless of how many times we’ve been privileged to see them, each time brings a new element with an impressive light show and dance music in tow. The boys came out to the stage and delivered, dropping Martini, My People, Do What You Want, Closer and This Boys In Love during their action packed set.
A big thank you to all of the sponsors in inviting us along to enjoy and appreciate an inclusive atmosphere which was as much about enjoying good music with good people as it was about bringing awareness to the new normal and what we should ask for to ensure all people get to experience this more often.