A sold out (record attendance) crowd descended on the red dirt plains early to witness the spectacle that is Mundi Mundi. Today’s cheeky pre-concert was loaded with familiar faces from last year, faces that produced so many smiles, leading with inspiration and elation – we all knew that we were in for a hell of a day.
The red dirt is so accepting, so loving and so respectful – every punter embraced like an extended family, everyone knew they were not singing alone, they were in one big happy Mundi Mundi family.
Opening today’s proceedings was Leroy Johnson and the Waterbag Gang (another entertaining group who were no strangers to the Mundi experience). They delivered a tight set opening up, the crowd heard their tunes and filtered down through the pathways and onto what would soon to be packed red dirt dance floor. They were the red dirt door bell signally to all the 15,000 around that the entertainment had arrived and it was here to stay.
Tha Boiz (locals from Broken Hill) brought the party early… and brought it in droves with everything from dance classics to Aussie rock anthems. They went hard and fast – heavily represented in the crowds appreciation, these lads knew what was needed and rocked up ready to go.
Red dirt and cheeky smiles littered the dance floor. I can only imagine how many punters rocked up sore after their set… no one stretched or limbered up….. rookie mistake lol.
Returning from last year was the supergroup the Headliners. The group was a result of a project mentored by Ella Hooper, Elly-May Barnes and Tim Rogers. So much talent packed into such talent rich frames Sonnet, Kayleb, MC wheels, Prairie, Aimee, Mikky and Jamie were next level.
More polished than last year, tighter and relaxed (without the cameras) these kids were out to prove they have a lot more to give… And give they did. They reminded us that musical talent has no boundaries. I loved them!
Last but not least was Chocolate Starfish, opening up on what can only be described as a Mad Max-style war rig the lads fired things up before blowing the lid off the place. I would be very surprised that there was anyone in the campground or RV during the opening of their set. I was like someone dropped a musical bomb smack bang in the middle of the festival and the vacuum of the explosion sucked everyone in.
It was packed tight, a perfect litmus test for the rest of the week to see where you could get the best vantage point – shoulder to shoulder with not a care in the world.
Chocolate Starfish always roll in with a bang. They are one of my favourites, with a mixture of covers and their own songs you always know you are in for a treat. Stand outs for me were the classics ‘3 Words’, ‘Radio Ga-Ga’ (always a participation explosion), the Meatloaf classic ‘Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad’ before rounding off a splendid set with the 4 Non Blondes rippa ‘What’s Up?’ that threw the crowd into a frenzy. 15,000 people singing along and not one bad singer. Impressive was an understatement!
Bring on Thursday!
Photos by Hunter Brothers Media
