There are a number of different aspects to a music festival, for some it’s the music and atmosphere. Perhaps the neon face-paint and animal onesies or to socialise with like minded people. For others it’s soaking themselves with alcohol and drugs without the boundaries of social convention.
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Some might not find the idea of muddy, beer-soaked grass and soggy, stale tents more expensive than a trip to a resort appealing, for others it is a safe place to freely express themselves.
In some respects, a festival is a safe and inclusive environment for such behaviours to occur, and much of it does.
The question is whether the number and scale of such events necessitate a substantially larger understanding of drug use, and whether it potentially promotes normal protective behaviours in this context?
In the wake of the Dragon Dreaming festival we got a barrage of comments regarding unfair and one-sided reporting. We strive to be objective and fair and some commented we just didn’t know what we were talking about.
So avid and dedicated readers, let me tell you my story:
Having arrived at the festival, I was slightly intimidated. Venturing there alone with no idea what to expect, rumours described it as strange and alternate. What was worse, I had to record the event, pointing a camera in someones face isn’t the best ice-breaker.
Expecting something out of Alice in Wonderland, it took me 10 minutes before I made a friend, he was a hobby photographer and soon we were walking the fields together, experiencing the ‘free hugging’ and seeing a few naked bodies.
The music was like something from an old, taboo warehouse scene, with repetitive track formulas. There were children running around filthy with large ear muffs on. I couldn’t for the life of me understand how the kids could stand, let alone enjoy, this type of dance-trance music. But just because the music wasn’t my cup of tea, doesn’t give me the prerogative to comment on what others like.
I was first shocked at the dirty kids, then I considered my upbringing and mum letting me and my brothers play war games in the neighbours manure pile.
Then the drugs, many with clear vacant eyes and that smooth airiness that brings with it more than just the fresh country air. However, there wasn’t any violence that you might get from the sloppy download drunk, or concern about safety. Rather, a sense of open appreciation for individual free expression.
Take from this what you will, in response to the readers comments, I ask if there had been 74 people found with drugs at Classic Yass, would we have been accused of unfair reporting?
