FESTIVAL REVIEW: SPIN OFF- FOR THE GIRLS, GAYS AND THEYS

 I hopped off my 6am flight from Melbourne to Adelaide, the official Spinoff playlist playing in my headphones as I went past airport security. There was no time to be tired- a rush went through my body as I realised THAT I’M SEEING THE QUEEREST LINE UP EVER– G-FLIP, GIRL IN RED, PEACH PRC, THE LAST DINNER PARTY! 

After getting ready at the floor of my hostel using my phone camera as a mirror (the universal experience for my fellow festival girlies) I hopped in the uber to Adelaide Showground and gazed out the window to see hundreds of people in their bedazzled winter festival outfits.

As I approached inside the gates I was pleasantly surprised by a Ferris Wheel and indoor cyclone ride, accompanied by the food stalls and bars. There were three main stages- the DJ tent, the middle stage area, and the main stage. Not many people had arrived at this point- so I made a v-line for the DJ tent where LAVER was playing – did some muzzling like a raver to get HYPED for the day ahead.

I got to the main stage just in time to see Old Mervs. They were a perfect to ease our way into the festival – their chill, surf-rock vibe made me think of the warm Aussie summer, which was desperately needed after being in the wet 12-degree weather. As my favourite song of theirs ‘Out of Luck’ came on, I noticed a group of girls behind me, arm in arm screaming the lyrics, which put a smile on my face and reminded me how amazing festivals are and what a gift live music is.

 Old Merv’s have that real feel-good sing-along vibe to them, and it was a perfect uplift to start the day off.

Back to the DJ Tent I went to dance to WAXX OFF’s rendition of BONKERS- Dizzee Rascal. I could feel the beat running through my veins, his music is like a shot of expresso but in music form.

I sprinted back to get a good spot for the Last Dinner Party- and god were they a RIOT! They were one of my favourites by far. Performance art is BACK BABY!

I love when artists actually put on a show- they are incredibly theatrical and choreographed – sewed together by their ethereal witchy outfits.

The lead singer Abigail – I don’t know whether I want to be her or be with her. How she moves her body on stage and really feels the music is just mesmerising. Her vibe reminds me a lot of Kate Bush or Stevie Nicks – watching her makes me feel like I have time travelled back to a concert in the 70’s. The way the all-female band interact with each other is almost ritualistic or ceremonial – their haunting harmonies in ‘Second Best’ gave me chills- it was like the Holy Spirit was being activated.

Combined with the classic rock guitar rhythm, their music creates this incredible concoction of psychedelic/indie rock. The crowd was going absolutely wild for them and rightfully so – I felt my body transcend as I screamed the lyrics to their closing song NOTHING MATTERS, and in complete awe of Abigail as she was parading around the stage with a pride flag in one hand and cross in another.

This was their first performance in Australia, and I can’t wait to see them live a million more times.

Next up was Baby Gravy and oh my god they were my highlight of the day. Their refreshing energy and subtle piss-take edge just makes their music that much more fun. They are unironically talented performers and create such a good connection with the audience. The crowd was HYPED to the point where I could literally feel the ground shake, particularly when C’EST LA VIE and EDAMAME came on. It was chaos but in the best way – they were randomly throwing cheerios at the audience (every artist after them questioned why there was cereal on stage), doing TikTok dance breaks, screaming into the mic- and my favourite part – Yung Gravy did the classic Aussie ritual of the shoey.

They were an absolute hit- I was smiling during that whole set. What a performance.

I went to get some dumplings from the food stalls before trying to get a good spot for Peach PRC. She came on stage in her bedazzled pink fairy outfit and crazy pink hair, and I questioned if she was even real- her presence is so otherworldly.

Her hyper-bubble-gum pop aesthetic is so cool to see – I love when artists are cohesive in this way. The pink lighting, the child-like visuals, the pole dancing, the back-up dancers- Peach sure knows how to serve us PERFORMANCE.

I ran to the bar for a quick drink top up as I heard everyone scream CONAN! The king is here. When he graced the stage with his presence, I swear he was surrounded by a heavenly light.

I didn’t expect Conan to put on this much of a show. He was so theatrical and has such a great stage presence- it is truly capitivating to watch. The whole thing felt very 80s inspired- the Freddy Mercury outfit and afro style hair really added to it. Particularly when ‘Bourgeoisieses’ came on, I felt like I was being transported to an 80s dance club. Was definitely a headbanger.

 Of course, my favourite was ‘Heather’, and I couldn’t help but get emotional. Listening to his silky voice and the crowd singing ‘why would you ever kiss me, I’m not even half as pretty’ was such a beautiful moment.  

On a high that I just got to see Conan Gray in the flesh – I ran back to the DJ tent to mosh to Sam Alfred. His psychedelic style beat really put me in a trance – my whole body relaxed as I put my sunnies on and just felt the music with my fellow audience members.  

Back to mainstage – it was G-FLIP!

Now I have seen her numerous times, and her performances just get better and better. She has this energy about her that exudes out to the crowd. She is an unbelievably talented singer and drummer- her drum solos never fail to leave me in complete awe. Of course, my favourite was her performance of ‘Rough’ – and I did in fact lose my voice screaming the lyrics.

I held my spot in the barricades for Girl in Red. Now – I had already seen her in Melbourne on the Wednesday so I was wondering how her festival set would differ. And I can say that she had 10 times the energy she had in Melbourne. This performance much more cohesive – her moshing at the end and crowd surfing was much better received than Melbourne-it is safe to say that Adelaideans know how to dance and have a bloody good MOSH dare I say better than Melbourne.

I left the showgrounds exhausted but content. What a day! This year’s Spin Off certainly did not disappoint-it’s stellar line up and immaculate vibes made for this year’s stand out festival.