If you’ve been on a social media hiatus for the past few months, or missed our Things To Do in Adelaide guide last weekend, you may not have been aware of a two-day music festival that went down right in the heart of Adelaide. Or perhaps you were aware and simply unsure about attending an inaugural shindig. Well, we’re here to tell you about the happenings of Harvest Rock 2022, so you can start preparing for next year.
Across Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 November in Rymill Park/Murlawirrapurka and King Rodney Park/Ityamai-itpina, aka the parklands opposite Adelaide’s East End; a local and international line-up of live music spanned the flats’ atmosphere and a pretty impressive selection of food offerings we’re ‘a’ cookin’.
15,000 revellers turned up for the open-air, musical soirée each day and night despite the chaotic weather. The grassy grounds quickly turned to inches of squelching slush amidst the downpouring, and those who attended on day one (most likely) realised that ponchos, gumboots, umbrellas, and warm jackets probably wouldn’t go astray for day two. But don’t worry – the parklands have made a speedy recovery thanks to a bit ‘o’ sunshine and tender love and care!
The rain certainly didn’t deter the masses from relishing the world-class sounds from the array of artists who performed across two big old stages. The platforms hosted Jack White, Crowded House, Goanna, The Black Crowes, Cat Power, Groove Armada, Marlon Williams, The Living End, Courtney Barnett, Kurt Vile, Genesis Owusu, and Electric Fields – to name a few.
A Harvest Rock perk that was agreed upon amongst friends was, by having just two stages, you really can’t get lost or have that much of a hard time tracking down your mates. You’re either at one stage or the other. The one closest to the entrance or the one further away. Simples. Ten out of ten festival layout.
Having just two stages also made for a condensed line-up of epic acts one after the other, rather than a ‘saving the best until last’ mentality. Putting it simply, Marlon Williams took to the Harvest Stage at 1:45pm – now that’d usually be a 10pm headline act in our books, but we ain’t mad about it.
Another huge fringe benefit of Harvest Rock festival was the ability to actually contact your crew if you found yourself parted ways, given the city location – reception galore. A giggle-worthy, overheard conversation went a little like this – “Damn, phone isn’t working.” “You probably have no reception.” “…We’re in the city…” “Oh yeah!”
As for the food and drink offerings at Harvest Rock; the bars were all conveniently located super close to the stages with a range of local beverages up for grabs. And food stalls and trucks were centralised between the two stages, making for easy access to quench thirst or satisfy tummy rumbles at any given moment.
We wouldn’t say it was a ‘foodie’s heaven’ or anything outrageous like that, but there certainly were some mighty fine local vendors to choose from, featuring: Pizzateca, Soi 38, Africola Canteen, Gang Gang, and vegetarian stand Let Them Eat – somewhat of a gourmet grounds. But if cheap festival chow is more-so up your alley; hot chippies, jacket potatoes, and dumplings were all there for the taking.
High-end eating experiences were available if pre-booked, and at an extra cost which saw Michelin-starred chef and restauranteur, Jake Kellie of Arkhe collaborate with acclaimed Australian wine critic, Nick Stock; hosting two intimate lunches with a specially curated menu and wine pairing – which was undeniably a unique aspect of the festival.
Circling back to the music, the crowds were having a blast by means of dance, singalongs, and by being simply awe-inspired by the rock legends, whether they were five, 25 or 55; with one festival-goer saying, “It’s a mature Splendour in the Grass.”
Harvest Rock came to an end in a beautiful unity of Earth, wind and fire of the soul with Australian rock group Crowded House belting out their absolutely classic tunes while the skies truly opened upon us earthlings below. We were drenched, and we were close to hypothermia, but the warming energy from the sea of people as they sung and swayed along to Better Be Home Soon reminded us that this wholesome blip in time, filled with love and unity, is all the worthwhile – drowned rat or not.
Harvest Rock co-producers from Secret Sounds, Jessica Ducrou and Paul Piticco say, “We’re proud to have shared the festival with the close-knit Adelaide community and those who travelled from all over the country to join us. We look forward to many more Harvest Rock events in the future.”
All in all, if you’re planning on attending next year’s Harvest Rock; definitely wouldn’t want to ‘Fall At Your Feet’ given the muddy conditions, and make sure you wear appropriate attire if the La Nina weather pattern is still hanging around because it definitely ‘rained down on me.’ Perhaps prepare for ‘Four Seasons In One Day’.
All images supplied.