Sidney Myer Music Bowl was brought to life on Saturday with the highly anticipated Freeform Festival returning for a second year.
A stacked event spanning across four different stages brought together renowned electronic music artists, Bella Claxton, Swim, Barry Can’t Swim, Mikalah Watego, and Interplanterary Criminal (IPC).
Not even Melbourne thunderstorms could rain on our parade, with almost 10,000 people joining in on the fun, rain, hail or shine.
Aussie icon, Bella Claxton brought her usual infectious energy and we sure were happy to have her home. You couldn’t help but wave your hands in the air, as 2000s classic ‘It Feels So Good’ came on. Surrounded by a high-energy crowd, and flickering lights. It really did feel so good.
Swim then took the stage, bringing his usual emotive electronic music that somehow gets me both screaming the lyrics, and in the mood for a serious heart to heart all within minutes.
His set was stacked with his tracks including ‘Never’, ‘Condition’ and ‘Forever (if u need it)’, even treating us to a lil bit of Kylie with ‘Love At First Sight’ – which honestly should be our national anthem by now.
Barry Can’t Swim was up next and was hands down the best set of his I’ve seen. Blending his signature melodic piano sound with deeper, more driving grooves, the set built with energy. ‘Where’s Your Head At’ sent the crowd absolutely nuts – a standout moment in an already unreal set.
IPC closed the main stage with his unmistakable UK garage bounce that made standing still pretty much impossible.
As he smoked a dart behind the decks (very on brand), he had a way of seamlessly weaving together each track, including fan-favourites ‘B.O.T.A.’, ‘Damager’ and ‘Slow Burner’.
He even treated us to Calvin Harris’ ‘I’m Not Alone’ that sent a wave of energy through the crowd – as we knew we were in for the summer of all summer’s, with Calvin’s return to Australia in February.