Pitch Music & Arts Festival 2019: Was this the most effective one but?

Pitch Music & Arts pageant’s third outing, in my view, was the most effective and most rounded one but. I acquired the sensation that the organisers had actually learnt what screws have to be tightened from the earlier two years. I need to state the primary two festivals had been very skilled, so to placed on a pageant of this customary after such a brief period of time is basically saying one thing. To the organisers, very well carried out.

Rather than prattle on about what my days consisted of like I usually do, I’ll break the pageant down into its elements.

The Setting

There is one thing particular in regards to the subject which Pitch takes place in. It’s arduous to ask for a greater backdrop than the beautiful Grampians mountain vary. We noticed many types of the mountain vary throughout the weekend, from sizzling solar baked in the future to chill and stormy the following. The clouds work together with the humungous pure function to create essentially the most spectacular cloud formations.

The subject itself is sort of flat however is scattered with huge and exquisite gum bushes. Some present shade for campers and others present the right spot to construct and stage amongst.

Victoria’s drought was fairly evident, as the bottom was dry and the footsteps of ten thousand folks actually kicked a little bit of it up, however its one thing that may’t be helped. Some much-welcomed rain on Sunday settled the mud fairly properly.

Pitch’s setting is one thing that I’ve come for use to, but it surely’s nonetheless particular and totally fulfilling to be amongst.

The Stages

Pitch’s theme of brute styled stage design was as soon as once more in power this yr, and it was working effectively. I believe the principle stage from the primary yr was essentially the most putting design, and I do maintain a particular place in my coronary heart for the “junkyard” or “Mad Max” stage additionally from yr one. However, the phases this yr had a really constant really feel to them.

The stand out phases the place two and three. We titled them “the cage” and “the dice”. If you had been there, I’m positive you’d perceive why.

Cage stage was the place Friday night time’s Boiler Room was hosted. The two-level construction was like having a membership arrange in the course of a subject. Just sensible. There weren’t any frills to the stage, it was primarily simply scaffolding and a few black mesh curtains, but it surely was excellent. The vibe was at all times nice in The Cage. The possibility to hold up on the balcony the went across the perimeter of the stage was nice. You might cling on the stage and observe the get together from above. Just beautiful.

The Cage

Stage three, or “The Cube” was my private favorite. It was set amongst a couple of monumental gum bushes. Although the determine of the stage was primarily a rectangle block, it was produced from angled slats which allowed mild to seep from inside creating nice shadows and types.

The foremost stage was cool, however extra of an emphasis was on the projections slightly than the stage design itself. I did like the big rectangle within the background was set on an angle to the DJ sales space, however in comparison with the design of the primary yr, I believe it was a small step backwards.

The music

Here is the place Pitch actually shines. The lineup is notoriously wealthy with worldwide and native artists, and this yr was no totally different.

Highlights for me the place Dasha Rush, Perc and Dr Rubenstein (sure, I’m an enormous techno fan). Dasha performed with a elegant class, she merely smashed it. I’ve seen her a couple of occasions earlier than in numerous totally different settings and this simply confirmed for me that she’s among the best DJ’s on the worldwide circuit.

Perc turned issues as much as 11. A pal of mine remarked upon how good and distinctive it was to listen to some correct, slamming techno within the bush the place you may actually push the speaker system. When you actually lock in and hear, Perc has the power to maintain issues groovy and fascinating while on the identical time devilishly heavy.

Mall Grab has actually modified his tune up to now few years. He’s transitioned from being an icon of lo-fi home to enjoying some fairly critical techno. Another shock for me was Dusky. I assumed that they might play UK Garage music, however there was nothing of the kind. I’ve additionally learnt that I assume an excessive amount of. They performed some fairly elegant and funky stuff. Dr Rubenstein had performed in The Cage, which I assumed was very becoming.

I wouldn’t thoughts seeing some extra locals on the lineup. I do know the internationals are an attraction, however the pageant could be an awesome platform for a couple of extra gifted locals to have a crack at enjoying on some larger staged to bigger crowds.

Set occasions the place very effectively put collectively, because the music progressed effectively throughout the day and there weren’t many clashes that I might consider. I noticed everybody I needed to and didn’t really feel like I missed out in any respect.

The Art

A significant piece of suggestions from final years pageant was that art work was closely missing, and it was. The pageant organisers listened and introduced a very good dose of art work to this yr. The high-resolution mild panels subsequent to the principle stage offered an awesome little warmup if you walked to the principle stage. Giant silver pillows that resembled goon sacks introduced an odd alien vibe to the bush. The phases themselves may very well be thought of to have an arty vibe.

A pleasant hanging web zone with good whispy sheets adorning it offered folks with a pleasant place to get a little bit of respite. You might play amongst a sequence of circles draped with clear thick plastic fly display materials.

This yr, there wasn’t a criticism in regards to the art work. I believe there may very well be just a little extra subsequent yr, perhaps some extra interactive options, however this yr was significantly better than final. I believe the sunshine panel was a very good idea to develop upon.

The little issues

Pitch had all of the facilities that you may need. Good showers, bathrooms, consuming water. I by no means as soon as felt uncomfortable. The flat floor of the sector is a delicate, however good function. It’s simply comfy sleeping on the flat floor.

The general format of the phases, artwork and meals was fairly good too. The pageant had a pleasant circulate. You might get from one stage to a different in a fast sprint and one will get the sensation that nothing is just too distant.

The entire image

Pitch Music & Arts pageant has actually hit its stride. After a really robust first and second-year efficiency, all the pieces in regards to the pageant feels refined . There is a beautiful distinction between modern artwork, music and stage design and the gorgeous pure Australian setting. I actually assume out bushland is the most effective place on this planet you may ever host a celebration.

So what’s Pitch? It is, by all means, a “bush doof”, however the focus is on modern artwork and music slightly than psytrance and psychedelic themes. The solely psytrance I heard was coming from the gozleme meals van. You could make a powerful argument that Pitch has began one thing new in Australia, which I believe is nice.

I’m as at all times eager for subsequent yr, it’s at all times fascinating to see how these festivals proceed to escalate.