Kalbarri Open Air (K.O.A.) inaugural Music Festival presented by JamArt Sound Lounge brought people from all over Western Australia Friday and Saturday, 15th and 16th of March. The bill included local bands as well as many that travelled from Geraldton, Perth, Bunbury and Harvey. Boasting a range of acoustic, prog, punk, rock, metal and grunge, the all ages festival drew in families, from toddlers to 60+ years olds, with all enjoying the fun atmosphere. The sound attracted passers-by to see what was happening in the gorgeous tourist beach town whilst security watched on with eagle eyes ensuring safe fun for all. Kids enjoyed a couple of games including Freeze and Duck Duck Goose with toys and chocolates for all. Merch for the bands and festival was near the entry along with first aid, sunscreen and flyspray – a great initiative. A hydration station with free drinking water was set up in the shade outside the makeshift bar inside the rec centre of the oval. A couple of food trucks were set up outside with one selling out both days and the other having a smashing second day. Locals and out of towners came together for a music filled afternoon of entertainment.
Sun beating down on the festival at Kalbarri Oval, many chose to enjoy the music from the comfort of the shade as the festival began at 2pm on Friday with the temperature warming up to the high thirties. The bar and surrounding covered area held most of the crowd for the first couple of chill acoustic acts, Jack Lundy and Brenton Meynell. Remnants brought a few into the harsh heat, mostly parents with kids jumping around and enjoying the pub rock, after being smothered in sunscreen. 8 Cannons Worth followed with their grungy heavy rock drawing a few more out to rock out in front of the stage. Next up was the youngest band on the bill (with an average age of 16!) the incredibly talented Bloodhunt amping it up with their Heavy Metal. I didn’t realise they were so young until I chatted with some of the members -their performance was incredibly tight and if this is what they’re giving us so young I cannot imagine the masters they will become in a few years’ time!
Motorv8d hit the stage next with their classic Aussie Rock keeping the large crowd pumped as the sun began to set and the temperature began to become bearable. As bright blue skies faded to purple and orange Grimoire played to hundreds of people, rockers enjoying the Metal as much as and the fun rock bands. Next, Hard Rockers Amberdown took the energy to another level again, the crowd moshing and even a little circle pit formed, as well as some crowd surfing – despite the insurance notices not to for safety. But everyone knew the rules of the pit, if someone goes down you pick them up, it’s not violent, instead a fun release of pent up energy, or stress. Silhouetted against stage lights you could see kids on parents shoulders, enjoying the view safely above the pulsating masses. Lively Punk act from Bunbury and Harvey, Decapitated Chooks concluded the night on a fun high, tongue in cheek humour and boundless stage presence, the crowd went wild not wanting the night to end.
Day two punters filtered through from 1pm when gates opened, trickling through to the air conditioned bar to setup in the shade with their drinks. Runnin Lo, a rock cover band from Geraldton started the afternoon with the kids brining the adults out of the shade and to the stage to dance. Hard rocks acts Code Red and Tears of Venom continued day two of K.O.A. with people flowing back and forth to the designated drink area and the bands on stage. Kimberly Zehra , the brains behind K.O.A., led the kids games between bands, loving the joy on their little faces, inspiring the next generation of rock, punk and metal lovers. Ersh On, the heart and founder of K.O.A. took the stage next with his prog/alt/metal band JamArt whose signage wrapped the oval in beautifully printed banners to promote JamArt Sound Lounge.
The sun began to set as AppleBite Beggars on Acid played to a growing crowd, more people streaming through the entrance as the horrid heat dissipated with the sun. Darkness had fallen and the stage lit Kimura as the Heaviest act of the festival tore up the oval (figuratively, not literally – there was barely any damage after pack down was complete, it was as if the Festival had never been there). The crowd went wild, moshing their hearts out, a line of adults protecting a cluster of children at the front from the fierce pit forming in the middle. Proclivity played to a fevered crowd, caught up in the energy of the music, enjoying the gorgeous Saturday night under a star-speckled sky, a slither of moon shining from behind lightly dappled clouds. Female fronted punk band RatSalad ended the night on a bigger high than the night before, screaming fans begged for more as the trio left the stage and MC Tony Westwood from Dying Degree (Who unfortunately couldn’t attend) entered, enjoying telling everyone to “F*^^ OFF” in his light-hearted demeanour to help clear the event.
Everyone had a blast and with the festival boosting tourism and injecting some funds into the North’s small town, hopefully that means the festival will return bigger and better next year. Kalbarri Open Air two day music festival brought together the community of rock, punk and metal lovers, creating a fun, safe event for all ages. Keep an eye of for what JamArt Sound Lounge do next – there was talk of a super dark and heavy metal fest down south later in the year – I’m hoping for a mid-year winter July gathering around Margaret River and anticipating the announcement whenever that may be.
Words and Photos by Misty Shadow of Shadow-World Photography
Day1:
Day2:
