Initiation NYE

Gold Coast Hinterland, Qld - 29/12/22 - 01/01/23

Firstly I’m not a photographer and this is a doof so in no way do I want to steal the moment in the art being created by people present by getting in the way trying to get my best photo. So what you are about to read is a real interpretation of a punters experience and lots has been missed or not captured. Just like if you were to come to a doof which I strongly hope this article convinces you its right for you <3

Initiation NYE is a 5-day Multi-Arts immersive experience. This is not a festival that you can go to with a clear understanding of everything you are going to see, its like a box of chocolates….you never know what your gonna get. Like every other festival you will get your music line up before you go, there will also be a timetable of a range of workshops to learn and make new friends. But these are not going to prepare you for the extra surprises ranging from a tightrope artist 15 or more metres in the air to poll dancers with Alien masks who also spin fire. Initiation has thought of every detail and you will be entertained.

Getting there: An easy 1 hour and 20 mins drive from Brisbane city with about 40 mins of that country driving with beautiful scenery. The dirt road was 7 km and easy enough to do in a small car with some care. Beautiful green paddocks with birds and Mooeys will keep your cuteness levels high.

Sun Stage:

The Sun Stage was a beautiful art piece with Sun Dried Events adding their own feel by using the Sun as Inspiration. Accompanied by a beautifully patterned shade sail with a fixed sprinkler system to cool the dance floor. The light projections transformed it at night to fit the music act that was on. At one point covering the entire stage in blinking eyes. Surrounding the stage featured 4 group-sized hammocks, an area for live visual artists to paint and a misting shower for all to enjoy.

Some of the stand-out acts at the Sun Stage include Gumnut, Smilk (your doof staple), Perfect Storm (5am sunrise set), Morgazmk and B Rock’n Radley!

Love Camp

Love Camp is a classic doof staple, if Love Camp is there you know you are going to have a good time. Love Camp surrounds its dance floor with a range of Comfy lounges and chill spaces to dance and talk the night away. Jade and Leo have put their heart and soul into providing a beautifully decorated area to welcome everyone in to have an inclusive time.

Acts at Love camp included: Helios, Mixed Business, Butterz, CHAUX Maison, The Chief.

The Oca Stage

The Oca Stage is where all the workshops are held including Tie Dye Workshop Marina Prates, Sacred Breathwork Journey: Scott Wallace and Climate Calamity: A Sacred Initiation. On some nights it transformed into a dance floor playing some pretty impressive and intimate sets.

Market Place

There was a nice Mix of shops within the Market Place. A few shops I have not seen at other events with interesting finds. Some including raw Crystal Jewellery, a Tie Dye shop with a massive range of hand upcycled clothing and costumes, a masseuse and a food vendor similar to your local fish and chip shop. Some renegade stalls also popped up at different times around the stages which gives all artists a go.

Zen Den and Wellness

At doofs, we look after each other and Initiation was no exception to this rule. The Zen Den was beautifully and thoughtfully set up for a chill-out. With instruments, colouring, condoms, tea and coffee and essential oils for all, this was the perfect place to take a break or have a chat. The medical and info tent set up on the walk from the camp sight was unmissable and always had someone ready to help. Info tent was also where you could purchase ice for $5 (cheaper than Coles in Brisbane). The Ice Truck Man owning a unicorn rainbow real life dog.

Toilets were clean and plentiful with only a short wait some mornings. The Initiation team has thought of every detail even down to the toilets. Showers were free but sometimes ran out of water as some punters were not water-wise.

Laura’s highlights

B Rock’n Radley was my music highlight for the weekend. He brings you a set where there is something for everyone, he plays a mix of broken beats that slowly riles up the crowd so everyone and anyone is ready for the drum and bass he finishes with. I would HIGHLY suggest checking out his sound cloud at https://soundcloud.com/b-rockn-radley?ref=clipboard&p=a&c=0&si=6aa14604fef04b65a02e3eb1f12f876e&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

Visual Artists painting near the main stage also caught my attention. One pictured below painting a huge piece of a make-believe world that exists in a wizards hat. With everything from a solar system to a jungle filled with animals.

Joe’s highlights

No noise restrictions, Sunrise Sets, Good sound rigs, lovely visuals to clean dance floors. Bringing in the new year with a fire performance into a thumping Psy set from Morgazmk that kept the crowd energy levels high into the early hours of the new year was a highlight. Also spending the weekend Discovering a lot of new artists, the highlight being Jarrod Graeme who played a raging Techno set.

Overall we want to thank Initiation and their thought-out production. The sight was beautiful with nature all around and we really felt that Sun Dried Events really cared for the land and environment. We need more people like them throwing parties to benefit the doof scene and our local lands. Thank you organisers for having us and Initiating us into our 2023.

Review by Laura & Joe