Blistering heat, sea breeze, and a stacked lineup—Yours & Owls Festival kicked off in Wollongong with a riotous first day, proving once again why it’s one of Australia’s most picturesque (and unmissable) festivals. With the Pacific glistening behind two towering lighthouses, thousands of punters sweated it out, lapping up an electrifying mix of indie, hip-hop, and psych-rock madness.
Isabel LaRosa and her brother Thomas—as cool as cucumbers in the boiling heat, effortlessly weaved their dark, hypnotic pop into the afternoon air. Peach PRC radiated pure pop star charm, strutting across the main stage with the confidence of a seasoned headliner. Jungle Giants had the crowd bouncing from the get-go, JPEGMAFIA detonated a sonic grenade on the main stage, and Pond—led by the ever-chaotic Nick Allbrook, who channeled equal parts Mick Jagger and Bon Scott—delivered one of the most hypnotic sets of the day.
Allday had the crowd in the palm of his hand, spitting bars with effortless charm as the sea of fans rapped every word back at him. Over on another stage, Brad Cox brought pure, boot-stomping country heat to an audience who embraced every sun-soaked second, sweat and all. Perth’s Dice threw everything they had at the set, proving exactly why their name is buzzing louder than ever. Meanwhile, Peking Duk’s Adam Hyde—now rebranded as Keli Holiday—delivered an electrifying set, his boundless energy rivaled only by his undeniable stage presence (and, yes, that divine chest). Elsewhere, Ra Ra Viper, Richy Mitch & The Coal Miners, and The Dreggs kept the vibes high across three stages, each commanding their own devoted crowd. The Goo Goo Dolls pulled one of the biggest crowds of the day, a tidal wave of bodies pressed together, voices raised in full-throated nostalgia.
Magdalena Bay with singer Mica Tenenbaum, a pop dream-machine somewhere between Kate Bush and a hyperpop fever dream, owned the stage, leaping and twirling her way into festival legend status. If this is just Day 1, the rest of the weekend better be ready to deliver.
Images @deb_pelser
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