Summer finally arrived in New South Wales, just in time for the Fairgrounds Festival held in South Coast’s Berry on Saturday 5th December, only a two-hour journey from Sydney.

Fairgrounds is different to other music festivals as organisers had curated a day of family fun and classic field games to compliment the on-stage action, meaning everyone from young to old were enjoying a berrylicious day in the sunshine. Being its first year, festival goers were fresh and the acts were excited to be performing to a captive bunch of NSW well-behaved weekenders. 

With music at the soul of Fairgrounds, the line-up strode the genres of folk, indie rock, soul and all the beautiful mix in between. LA-based crooner Father John Misty and Brooklyn electronic duo RATATAT brought the ‘American Dream’ down under, while pop veterans Mercury Rev brought their classics and brand new songs among other outstanding talent. Representing Sydney was internationally acclaimed garage pop act, Royal Headache. Thankfully nobody left with one of those once the fun was over, as Fairgrounds provided bites and delights to make sure we are all staying fuelled; Unfortunately the select wood-fired pizzas, Vietnamese truck and crepes stand couldn’t quite keep up with demand, and with some hungry guests the festival was obliged to allow guests to leave the festival to source a hearty take-away elsewhere – But something I am sure they will learn from for next time.

Connoisseurs of caffeine had nothing to complain about, as Allpress Coffee Caravan was open until the bitter end, as well as Young Henrys providing the Real Ale, Natural Lager, Cloudy Cider as well as their Noble Cut Gin throughout the day and evening.

The picturesque township of Berry didn’t fail to charm us cleaner-cut versions of festival goers, and the music and vibes were second-to-none. Stock up on your pizza dough Fairgrounds and next year will be outstanding!

The Plus Ones were invited guests of Meg Williams, Head of Promotions at Inertia Music and sincere thanks goes to Meg and her team for their kindness in hosting us.

– Eleanor Luther
A London girl in Sydney with a love of everything glamorous, trendy and genuinely vacuous