Review: Island Vibe Festival 2011

Imagine glassy waves and a turquoise ocean. Imagine sunshine that warms you up, but is not so hot that it makes you sticky. Now, add reggae music. It may sound like heaven, and that’s because it is. Welcome to the Island Vibes Festival 2011 on the stunning Stradbroke Island, just an hour or so from Brisbane.As a four-year veteran of Island Vibes this festival has nothing to prove. It has all the elements of a great weekend – by my standards at least: an island filled with beautiful tunes, camping on the fringes of the beaches and happy smiling people, literally everywhere. I don’t want to sound soppy but, yes, this really exists. 

Formerly the Island Time festival, the name is symbolic. The chilled-out vibe settles most of the revellers.

The crowd is an eclectic mix. It’s impressive to watch dreadlocked hippies, academics, surfers, skaters, families and even nudists all sharing the same space in harmony. There are workshops for those wanting something outside the music box, such as basket weaving or spiritual healing. Families are encouraged with children’s play areas. The amazing international and local acts are studded with dynamic Islander bands which add a nice cultural flavour from our neighbours in places like Vanuatu. There was even a bar on the beach complete with a sound system and sparkling disco ball- whoever invented this idea is a genius!!

For me, Friday began with the campsite set up. I was in charge of the tent – to my horror I realized that the tent poles had been removed from the tent bag. Was it going to be a weekend sleeping under the stars? Fortunately my good-looking and camp-savvy flatmate could bring them on a later barge.

With the camp taken care of it was just a short stroll down the beach and we were boogying along to Afro Mandinko. With booty so fine the female lead singer showed us what a shimmy is. Not only were her dance moves rocking, the beats could permeate your skin and get into your bones.

Saturday saw some much needed beach time – to recover from the night’s shenanigans and immerse into the island culture with some sneaky beach cocktails, courtesy of beach bar at Adda Rock.  A hot contender for best performance on Saturday night was Opiou who drew a huge crowd with his funky electro beats. His late-night set saw a merry crowd boogying barefoot in the sand.

Sounds of sun were discovered at the straggly end of the night at the ever-popular chai stage. This Gold Coast band was upbeat and folksy with fun sunshine songs, one of which was dedicated to Southport Centrelink for their support. Ha-ha.

A beach procession with percussion beats band Spankinhide rounded out a night of spectacular music. Most of the festival followed the party through the trees and onto the sand. Flashing lights, screams of laughter, the occasional skinny dip and jungle music permeated the length of the beach.

Sunday was a chill out day beginning with Bobby Alu who spun their cruisy island music including crowd favourites ‘one to wait’ and ‘changes changes’. It probably wasn’t such a hard task to woo the laid back crowd into blissful harmony, but nonetheless they were a success. Listening to this band really did cement what the festival was all about for me: beachy times and an all-out feeling of bliss.

Following this was Chali 2Na. Musically I was in awe!! As a long time fan of Jurassic 5 I was very excited about seeing the former member and he did not fail to impress. Oozing charisma he effortlessly charmed the crowd. His appreciation: a beaming grin that could be seen from the far ends of the tent. He performed new tunes mixed with some old Jurassic 5 classics such as ‘what’s golden’, which made the crowd squeal with delight!! That deep voice and accompanying beats sent shivers up my spine- what a treat to end a weekend that was almost too good to be true.