Homebake

Some people might think a festival called “homebake” would be about buying and selling baked goods… those people would be wrong. It is in fact a music festival that’s been going on for fifteen years supporting all different types of bands from both Australia and New Zealand. I attended this last Saturday with my friends Kylie, Jenna, and Courtney whom I met at the races about a month ago. These festivals are so popular in Australia, it almost seems there is one happening every weekend. Homebake took place in the Domain, which is a park close to the Royal Botanical Gardens and the Art Gallery of New South Wales. There were about four stages with groups playing simultaneously resulting in more than 40 performances that day. The gates opened around 11 am; we arrived fashionably late around 12:30pm and stayed till about ten o’clock that night. I’ll admit, I only knew one band and of that one band only knew three songs that they played- but that didn’t stop me from having a good time. I really enjoyed listening to Gin Wigmore & The Cardinals, Red Riders, and my personal favorite Sia. I had a great time with the girls and really enjoyed meeting more of their friends; I definitely picked the right country to come to all by myself because they are the most warm and inviting people I’ve ever encountered in my life!

The crowd outside the main stage at 12:30pm when we arrived...

and about seven hours later... it got somewhat crowded.

Kylie wanted to make sure I was having fun the entire time. Mission accomplished!

Jenna, Courtney, Kylie and me goofing around.

We were actually very close in the crowd when Sia performed, but I thought this was a very cool pictures of her face plastered against one of the three big screens behind her. She was beyond talented and very fun to watch because she really interacted with the crowd. I googled her afterwards and it turns out she's good friends with Christina Aguilera and even wrote a few songs for her new album.

Although the ride looked fun, I wasn't sure the heat + spinning would be the best combination for my head.

Jet was probably the most main stream band at the concert, not to mention the only band I had ever heard of before. Did anyone else know that they were Australian? Because I sure didn't.

On the walk home we passed by St. Mary's Cathedral. I'm not sure if these lights are a year- round display or the church is just getting into the Christmas spirit, either way it was beautiful.

On Sunday night, Rachel and I joined Tamsin, Kat, and Adam (Kat's boyfriend who's visiting) for a moonlight movie in Centennial Park. They were playing 500 Days of Summer, which is quite fitting considering summer is just beginning in Australia...