REVIEW – ABILITY FEST 2021
Back and better than ever!
Back for its third time around was Ability Fest, with this year’s event being held in the picturesque Alexandra Gardens. Brought to life by bonafide legend Dylan Alcott, Untitled Group and Triple J, Ability Fest’s goal to be inclusive to all and normalise disabilities was smashed out of the park. With an incredible cause, and an equally impressive line up, Ability Fest was a triumphant welcome back to festivals in Melbourne – full of plenty of feel good vibes, and inspiring moments.
Melbourne indie-rockers Rudely Interrupted brought their catchy-as-anything hooks and plenty of energy to the main stage. Having been around for just over a decade, the band have had some incredible moments throughout the years; copping a nomination for the Melbourne Music Prize back in 2016, and being the first indie band to play for the UN in 2008. Finishing up their set with their anthemic Love You Till I Die, we were more than happy to be Rudely Interrupted!
Up and comer KYE switched up the vibe, playing her take on the neo-soul genre, and getting the audience onto her wavelength. With an effortless cool, and flawless vocals, KYE’s recently released EP, Good Company, is a showcase of her raw talent – and her Ability Fest performance was a testament to this. Singles Gold, Finest Quality and Sometimes were highlights for all, and had us all swaying along to her powerful vocals and heartfelt lyrics. We’re excited to see what the future holds for KYE – she’s definitely one to watch.
NSW DJ Ninajirachi shifted the audience into gear, blasting her hyperpop across Alexandra Gardens, and pulling mass crowds her way. The Unearthed High finalist has worked hard over the years, playing major Aus festivals, including Splendour and Falls, and all this festival experience shows. One of her latest tracks, Dracodraco, soon begins its slow build up, before its heavy drop sends the audience into a frenzy. Her debut single Pure Luck isn’t too far off, and is met with screams from all round; much to the producer’s delight. With Ninajirachi’s blend of intricate, atmospheric instrumentals and delicate vocal work, it was easy to see how this young artist has skyrocketed herself through the Australian festival scene.
Ray of sunshine Alex the Astronaut was up next giving the audience an absolute ripper of an acoustic set. Her hit Happy Song kicks off the set, immediately launching the audience into a singalong. Despite playing to a massive crowd, there was an incredibly intimate atmosphere, as Alex spared no details about the inspirations behind each song. After telling everyone about how she recently discovered she was autistic, she plays a new, unreleased song, Octopus, which explores these feelings. The emotional I Like to Dance is up next, which has quite a few punters moved to tears. We’re then told a story about Alex’s first ill-fated gig in New York – the inspiration behind her uplifting Rockstar City, which has us all bopping along in no time. The good vibes keep coming, as Alex blesses us with her Like a Version of ELO’s Mr Blue Sky, before finishing the set on a high with feel good hit I Think You’re Great. Right back at you, Alex!
Lastlings are next on the main stage, playing their unique electro-pop that seems to transcend all time and space. The Gold Coast sibling duo have wasted no time becoming big-hitters in the festival circuit, having released their acclaimed debut album, First Contact, in the last year. Opening their set with fan fave No Time, the audience is instantly entranced and is swaying along with the duo’s soundscapes. Siblings Amy and Josh are captivating throughout the entire set; their ethereal beats and vocals intensified by incredible lighting and FX. Singles Out of Touch, Deja Vu and False Reactions keep the dance vibes going, with the audience hanging on to every beat. Closing the set is I’ve Got You, which is a slow burn at first, but quickly swells into a euphoric dance anthem; expertly transitioning intoTake My Hand, which Lastlings has the crowd singing along to the very end.
Rapper Illy switches up the pace, showing off his trademark swagger, with opener Then What, much to the audience’s delight. Illy gets personal, celebrating his first show in six months, as well as Melbourne’s triumphant win at the Grand Final. It is only fitting then that hits Last Laugh and Catch 22 are up next, which have the crowds jumping along and belting out lines. For the second time that day, we’re gifted with another Like a Version, this time Illy’s hit covering Silverchair, Hilltop Hoods, Paul Kelly, and Flume. After apologising to the ASL interpreters, Illy has the audience screaming a well needed ‘Fuck you’ to COVID, before leading into fan hit Swear Jar. We’re then all treated to a new, unreleased song about leaving a night out when it’s getting too good – which only kept the party vibe going. A massive shoutout to the guy crowdsurfing in a wheelchair during this song – you’re our new hero! Finishing off the massive set isTightrope and Papercuts – which the audience goes absolutely wild over.
The enigmatic Confidence Man command the stage next; complete with choreographed dancing, costume changes, and plenty of attitude. Opening up with Does It Make You Feel Good?, the band come out to a manic audience, who are screaming along to every word. Before the song is over, Janet Planet runs off stage to put on knee pads, which she promptly makes use of during hit single Better Sit Down Boy; sliding and taking dives across the stage. The band isn’t even halfway through their set before Janet and Sugar Bones run off stage for their costume change, and launch straight into banger Try Your Luck. With dance moves to be envious of, along with their signature deadpan delivery, Confidence Man deliver hit after hit, with new single Holiday and classic Don’t You Know I’m In A Band. Closing off their flawless set is the track that started it all, Boyfriend (Repeat), which has the entire audience crouching down and jumping at the song’s breakdown. This isn’t the first time we’ve seen Confidence Man, and it won’t be the last – we’re excited to see these guys take on more festivals.
With an impressive record of featured artists in his back catalogue, producer What So Not has the right recipe for crowd-pleasers. Playing to a packed out lawn, Emoh Instead (AKA Christopher John Emerson), ran through his hits, along with a few remixes thrown in here and there. The DMA’s featured single, The Change, and Every Single Time (with Example and Lucy Lucy) went down a treat with the audiences – with all singing along with hands in the air. We’re treated to What So Not’s remixes of The Pixies’ Where Is My Mind and t.A.T.u’s All the Things She Said; iconic tracks given new life with the producer’s own spin. And of course, his remix of RÜFÜS DU SOL’s Innerbloom is met with yells, friends lifted to shoulders, and plenty of ‘yeeewwws’ throughout.
The good vibes are kept going just before the final set takes off. The man himself, Dylan Alcott, takes to the stage to announce an act for next year’s Ability Fest; aspiring DJ Cooper. Peking Duk help announce Cooper’s DJ slot on next year’s main stage, with the help of a giant cheque, much to everyone’s delight. It’s an incredibly moving moment, and has us all excited for the young artist’s festival debut in 2022. Peking Duk kick off the party, with touring vocalist Micci belting out the duo’s Wombats featured track Nothing to Love About Love, and later on kicking off a killer cover of Sweet Dreams. The Canberran duo, made up of Adam Hyde and Reuben Styles, waste no time remixing anything and everything they can get their hands on. Squid Game theme mashed up with Lean Wit It Rock Wit It? Random TikTok sounds mashed up with other chart toppers? It shouldn’t work, but Peking Duk work their magic and make it possible. Before we know it, it’s reaching the end of the set, and fireworks are going off while smash hit High is raging on – signalling the return of live music.
With all of the festival’s proceeds going to the Dylan Alcott Foundation and all the incredible volunteers and organisers that made this festival possible, you couldn’t have asked for a better day. A big shout out to all the amazing features that made this festival incredible; ASL interpreters, viewing platforms, accessible facilities and ramps – all things that should be necessities for all features. If there’s anything that Ability Fest taught us, it’s how all music festivals should be run. That, plus music festivals are officially back!