Welcome To The Sunshine State!: Ability Fest Review

Brisbane welcomed a music icon for the first time today, in a spectacular display of sound, light, and great vibes. The event went hard, with eager fans arriving early to catch a glimpse of up-and-coming early acts, soak up the atmosphere, and try to spot the man of the moment in all the action.

If you thought I dropped $300 to see Travis Scott, you’ve forgotten this is an Australian music blog. This review is about what happened at Ability Fest 2024 at Victoria Park/Barrambin, in Brisbane/Meanjin on October 26th, 2024.

The Event

Presented by the Dylan Alcott Foundation, Untitled Group, and triple j, Ability Fest is a music festival designed to promote accessibility and inclusion in the live music industry. Dylan Alcott, a force to be reckoned with in the Paralympic and broader-sporting world, developed the event with the mindset that everyone deserves to have live music in their life, ensuring that accessibility is ingrained in every aspect of a day out at Ability Fest.

After a four-year presence in Naarm/Melbourne, the festival has expanded to Meanjin/Brisbane for its fifth edition. Queenslanders were excited to trial this new event, especially as our market is starved for festival-style events this year, with many of our usual events cancelled or postponed due to the rising costs associated with the live music industry. A solid lineup and an interest in the tangible outcomes of an ‘accessible’ event sold me.

It was incredible to see that inclusivity and accessibility extended as far as possible into every aspect of the event. Typically, when we talk about disability and inclusion, we jump straight to thinking about putting down temporary flooring for wheelchairs or having Auslan interpreters, which should really be staple features of ANY type of event. Ability Fest goes way further: usually I’d expect to pay about $150 for this type of thing, which I justify as decent value for 8-hours of music I love. A mere $60 to see a slew of great acts in one of the most comfortable festival environments I’ve been to wasn’t just a bargain; it was a testament to the fact that accessibility in all its forms, including financial, was genuinely considered in the creation of the event.

Our Day

I’m not afraid to go to a gig alone; if I like the band, I can easily occupy myself for a few half-hour blocks to see them. But I really appreciate when I have people to share the experience with, so shout out to Ame Ja for coming with and sharing these pictures with me (and you!).

We arrived shortly after gates had opened, catching tunes by Cheq from Mark’s Stage as we started to explore the venue. Had we start our walk going left from the gates, we would have found the locker storage and merch desk, next to the Sunflower lanyard tent where patrons with hidden disabilities could indicate any need for additional support.

Instead, we turned to the right where we passed by the ANZ sensory space and were handed some Cocobella samples to try. Throughout the day, there were more opportunities for guests to make their own donations. Anytime Fitness sponsored a glam station that was our first stop of the day. Additional donations were completely optional, which meant everyone was able to get a glittery glow-up without forfeiting the money set aside for lunch! Donations were more strongly encouraged at the friendship-bracelet station, where a decent crowd had assembled to adorn their arms with coloured beads in a sweet and simple initiative!

You’ll notice a lot of product and brand promotion in this event – each of these companies has been able to contribute to the creation of this accessible festival, through financial donations or the curation of a safe space or fundraising activity. While many young people see these type of partnerships and the subsequent advertising as ‘selling out’, Ability Fest is able to maintain a 100% not-for-profit status as a result, allowing all proceeds to go directly to the Dylan Alcott foundation.

Each stage had a wheelchair accessible viewing platform, though wheelchair-users definitely got to the front of the crowd as well! Temporary flooring was placed throughout the event, though there was still plenty of grass areas to navigate as well – I’m not a wheelchair user myself so can’t speak to the accessibility of the flooring design in its entirety. Shade was plentiful between the Main Stage and Mark’s Stage, with assistance dog respite close by from there. I appreciated the presence of non-alcoholic bars to ensure everyone was comfortable to order drinks in their way.

The Music

The festival featured a slew of Aussie music talent, with Mark’s Stage featuring dance artists like Boone, Dewbs and Jordan Brando. One of the big dilemmas of the day was whether to see Bag Raiders or King Stingray, the two making an unfortunate clash on the set list. If you were keen for dance and house music, Mark’s Stage had you set all day!

My group and I stuck to the Main Stage for the majority of the event. Here you found some of those famous Aussie indie pop/rock legends. Asha Jefferies was an early highlight and Sunshine & Disco Faith Choir was an exciting wild card act that is definitely on my books to see again if I get the chance, with their exciting dance remixes sung by a live singing group, all decked out like birds of paradise.

King Stingray debuted some new songs for the Meanjin audience that we can expect to see again on their national tour early next year. Middle Kids and Cub Sport both provided a great performance, with the steadily growing crowd getting louder and louder at the end of each song. Although we were getting larger and louder, everyone was respectful of each other’s space and made sure that those who needed it had the best view of the stage. It was a lovely environment to share with others. When Ocean Alley hit the stage, that community really came full force to share in their exciting surf rock hits. Hopefully they get the message: we want more!

The Finale

Before closing acts, jamesjamesjames and Mikalah Watego hit their stages, Dylan Alcott came out to give his thanks to the crowd for their support of the event.

I’d like to pass on a sentiment I know many of the attendees will share: thank you so much Dylan for bringing this event up North. Many of us had never experienced such a stress-free festival environment that truly highlighted the sense of community we have as live music lovers. People came out, proud of who they were and able to highlight the multi-faceted experience of being disabled, whether that was visible or not, experiencing mental ill health, seeking a safe space for the LGBT+ community, or attempting their first festival experience somewhere that people were kind and help was available if needed. We’ll hold you to your promise to come back, because we have more to give to the young people who have benefitted from the generosity of the Dylan Alcott foundation so far.

It wasn’t until after Jordz’s last set as interim DJ on the main stage that I managed to grab a pizza and head to the Silent Disco. Headphones linked to each stage, plus a greatest hits playlist curated by the Silent Disco DJ, would light up to show which set you were dancing too. At this disco, guests also had the choice to wear vibro-haptic vests and straps which would provide sensory stimulation in tune to the music. It was a great idea, and I wish I’d spent more time here before the end of the night.

Merch

In addition to getting glittered up and making a friendship bracelet, I got the Ability Fest 2024 t-shirt. I also ate and drank at the festival during the length of time I was there.

Sounds Good?

Ability Fest 2024 may have wrapped up, but follow their socials to be the first in line for tickets to Ability Fest 2025.

If you want to experience a chill festival vibe before the end of the year, here are a few ideas:

The Long Sunset – With headliners Matt Corby and Angie McMahon singing from the breathtaking Elysian Fields, this promises to be an almost spiritual experience for listeners who want to slow down and soak in the sunset. Only a few VIP tickets to the main event remain!

Undertone Festival – This all-ages event seeks to highlight the diversity of the Australian music scene by putting some of our greatest female and non-binary acts front and centre. You can enjoy the summery tunes of Jack River, the eclectic energy of Montaigne, and the adrenalin rush of a Hope D show all in one day, with no clashes!

Spilt Milk House Party – In an effort to win back the crowd, Spilt Milk is trading in their usual three-stage set up for a more intimate ‘house party’ approach this year. Featuring Glass Animals, Troye Sivan, G Flip, Artemas and Sycco, this is going to be one party you don’t want to miss. While tickets aren’t cheap, payment plans are available if you’re keen for it!

Photos courtesy of Ame Ja (@ribbit4891).