Review: Wildlands 2024 at Claremont Showgrounds

Wildlands at Claremont Showgrounds
Saturday, January 6, 2024

Wildlands festival took over Claremont Showgrounds last Saturday, drawing an enormous crowd that was eager to experience a star-studded line-up of artists.

Ferg set the Sahara Stage ablaze early with an explosive performance that served as the festival's inaugural spark. The Harlem rapper, formerly known as A$AP Ferg, exuded charisma, and his spirited renditions of hits like Plain Jane and New Level had the crowd charging, setting the bar high for the day.

Following Ferg's explosive set, festival favourite G Flip took command of the Sahara Stage with a blistering performance. With a tremendous stage presence, they had the audience rocking out to powerhouse singles GAY 4 ME, Drink Too Much, and Hyper Fine. G Flip was undeterred by the scorching hot sun and delivered an epic performance for the growing crowd.

The Jungle Giants were up next and brought a fun energy to the stage with their charismatic banter in between songs and their tight musicianship. Their set list was filled with crowd-pleasing tracks that had everyone grooving from the get-go. Hits like Feel the Way I Do and Heavy Hearted enraptured the audience and served as definitive festival highlights.

Luude's set emerged as another festival standout, blending beloved party tracks with his own electronic hits seamlessly. While his performance was fantastic, the Summit Stage grappled with the overwhelming audience size, causing a somewhat cramped atmosphere at times. Nevertheless, Luude showcased remarkable technical prowess and put on a show for the massive crowd that flocked across the Showgrounds to witness his performance. As Luude’s set concluded, he took a moment to express heartfelt gratitude to his fans, admitting he had been humbled by the overwhelming turnout.

Sub Focus was up next on the Summit Stage and delivered a high-energy set. Although this particular stage was once again overcrowded in certain areas, Sub Focus managed to shine through with their electrifying tunes and left the audience happy.

The festival peaked with RÜFÜS DU SOL taking the stage before an audience that extended hundreds of metres from the Sahara Stage to the grandstands. The sheer spectacle of their set was mesmerising, as the band cast a spell over the sea of 35,000 people and created an ethereal atmosphere. Tracks like Innerbloom, You Were Right, and On My Knees were amplified by the stunning visuals and exceptional sound design at the Showgrounds. This performance was nothing short of phenomenal and served as a spectacular crescendo to the evening.

The 2024 Wildlands festival was a success overall, reaching its pinnacle with an epic showcase by RÜFÜS DU SOL. Despite occasional inconveniences, like extended wait times for drinks, the event's success was fueled by stellar performances from the exceptionally talented line-up. The performers were genuinely fantastic all night, and attendees were left eagerly anticipating the next chapter in 2025.

HARRISON JONES

Photos by Jordan Munns