Words and images by Tara Campbell
Taking place in an updated venue of Empire Park along the sunny Bar Beach in Newcastle, the Drop Festival 2020 wowed audiences with the All-Ages event.
When many think of music festivals, they don’t see it as a family event, however, The Drop catered to everyone, regardless of age for an enjoyable day by all. Families stepped in to a welcoming environment, bringing in smiling children, many which were experiencing live music for the first time.
Opening the day, local support act ‘The Pits’ fused Jazz with every possible genre of music creating what the crowd referred to as ‘Newcastle based Panic! At The Disco’. Lead singer Dain Watts was a stand-out vocalist of the day with an impressive vocal range, however, there was no doubting the talent of the band. Each individual showcased a thorough understanding of the music they were playing, with the short set featuring pieces from The Backstreet Boys and Queen. If the crowd hasn’t heard of the band before, it was clear that the impression they left on the crowd would not be forgotten.
Throughout the day, artists including GRAACE and Kita Alexander displayed their refined sounds, with developed stage presence and humble personalities. The enthusiasm of the artists was met with screams and cheers from the audience (and even a few sing-alongs), it was clear that everyone was enjoying themselves.
Something to note about the festival was the friendly ‘vibe’. From the moment you walked into the festival, you felt at home and safe. The staff was welcoming and the festival-goers was respectful. Young children and families were invited to be part of this, and no one was left out. There were areas for those who wanted to just experience the music without the moshpit, places to sit down and have some food, and places for the hardcore members of the crowd to get down and dirty in the mud and dance.
Rock legends- DZ Deathrays took the mid-festival slot, and was met with a solid response from the audience. Crowds moshes in the mud and screamed the lyrics back to the band. The energy could be felt from a mile away, and the three-piece Brisbane band were fuelled off of this adrenaline. With sweat pouring down them, they finished their set with one of the most notable of the day.
Rain was forecast, but held out until the beginning of Allday’s set. This didn’t stop him, or the crowd, who embraced the rain by chucking a poncho on, and having a boogie. Allday, took to the stage with slides (or skids) from one side to the other. Out of all the acts of the day, it’s safe to say that Allday was one of the most popular, with the audience singing along to every lyric of every song.
Changing up the dynamics, Ball Park Music once again treated audiences of The Drop. After playing at the festival last year, they returned to Newcastle with an updated set, but still included all the hits the audience knew and loved. There was not a dull moment of the set and it could be summed up in a sentence. There couldn’t have been a better choice of act for this festival.
Co-headliners Boy and Bear and The Presets are no strangers to festivals. They’ve done it all and have become what some may call festival Veterans. This didn’t stop either act from smashing in their hour-long sets. There aren’t many words to describe these acts, but those who were at The Drop Festival in Newcastle know that if you weren’t there, you definitely missed out. It can be confidently said that everyone who was at the Drop had a great time, and that the festival itself was unlike any other that has graced the Newcastle shores.
The Drop Festival is something special, and with its All Ages event, it cemented the love of live music into a lot of people’s lives.
