Live Review: The Long Sunset, Elysian Fields Canungra

The Long Sunset gave a sense of nostalgia from the moment of arrival. Between a scattering of gum trees and rolling hills was the picture perfect festival site, where a holistic array of entertainment - from stellar indie music performances, to local artisan market and food stalls - brought back memories of all the best elements of outdoor festivals past. All day there was an easy atmosphere that meant everyone, from the 20-something partiers to the families and food lovers, could enjoy the event together. Whether it was a lawn chair, picnic rug or standing room spot at the front of the stage, this was a festival to chill and be yourself in the service of nature and live music. 

The truly stunning Elysian Fields were lush with South East Queensland greenery. When entering at the gate, the first line of sight was the tree-covered cliff face backdrop - like a natural arena. On the spongy grass, a few thousand attendees danced away, many barefooted, to a curated afternoon of tunes and treats. The perfect place for tie-dyed t-shirts and flowers in your hair, the event was reminiscent of early Splendour with a hint of Woodford. 

A range of locally-owned feeds were available, with an enviable choice for vegans, locally produced wine and beer and the innovative Indigenous-owned Sobah non-alcoholic drinks. While munching down, punters could either set up shop at a picnic table or their own blanket and enjoy the show, or peruse the artisan market stalls.

Baby Cool was given the difficult job of wrangling the crowd for the first set of the day - and she succeeded. Her powerful vocals and psychedelic harmonies brought the crowd to their feet, particularly during Poison. Next up bella amor stunned with her sass and ramped things up even higher with her newest tune ‘sentimental’ and an apt cover of Goo Goo Dolls' nineties juggernaut hit Iris. 

Surf rockers Peach Fur killed it on their home turf, like they always do. Looking groovy as ever, their tracks packed an extra punch at this show. Their new tune Life went off. Similarly, Tia Gostelow gave a next level performance - and graced us with the first ever live play of her two new bangers, Say It To My Face and Sour. And of course Strangers was a festival highlight.

Sycco brought her signature suavity to the stage, performing with an effortless coolness that almost made it hard to believe that she was really belting out the songs that well. The dancing from the swelling crowd at this point was infectious. 

After the crowd’s attention was then drawn the signature sunset through the clouds over the back of the green arena. Next, Hatchie came on stage to deliver her 90s cool girl pop, giving the crowd the perfect chance to have a sing along and chill before hitting it hard at the headliners. 

Winston Surfshirt’s set couldn’t have gone any other way. The crowd was bouncing from start to finish as the soul groovers played all of their hits and more, aptly topping the set off by playing Be About You to a wildly excited audience. 

Finally, headliners Lime Cordiale swaggered onto the stage, delivering the kind of epic live performance their fans have come to expect. There were clarinets, kazoos, trombones, and a couple of brothers having the time of their lives in front of an ecstatic bunch of music lovers. The band kept it upbeat all set long, and there was nothing but grins when they pulled out Robbery.

If there was any doubt that we’d done enough dancing, Brisbane DJ Luke Brazier hit the decks to send us off with a bang. Overall, the Long Sunset was an absolute success. Would hit it up again just to experience the junior vibes and gorgeous sunset… all without the toilet queues.