RECAP: Freedom Time Festival – Perth NYE 2018
Ah, New Year’s Eve. The night infamous for falling short of the lofty expectations held by those hoping to kick off the new year with a bang - only to end up kicking off the new year with a banging headache and depleted serotonin levels.
There is, however, an alternative option that tends to fly under the radar. Tucked in between Northbridge and Perth city, Freedom Time returned this year, having moved about 30 seconds away from last year’s location to Roe St carpark.
Having recently returned from 10 months of vagabonding through South America, it was a treat in itself to see some of the new additions to Yagan Square. (Who knew Perth was capable of creating such an aesthetically pleasing and futuristic feeling environment?)
Upon entering Freedom Time, the chilled yet high energy and positive vibes were apparent immediately. So chilled that in fact, that there was even a free scoop of ice cream included for you as you enter. Sadly, they happened to run out midway through serving my group of friends.
But alas! Things were still chilled. We began to explore the world of Freedom Time, almost immediately coming across the ‘anti-sauna’ room. Essentially, it was a shipping container with two fans blowing into several chunks of ice. It was cool.
We continued to explore the area, spending time at the ‘stage at the back’ featuring more experimental beats, and the ‘stage to the left of the entrance’, which offered relaxing reggae inspired electronic music.
However, it was the main stage that was really pumping. The dance-worthy tunes kept coming, with a talented assortment of boogie experts on stage inspiring everyone to get freaky. And as night descended, an initial round of fireworks sparkled overhead, to mark the beginning of a wonderful end to the year.
The organisers and attendees of Freedom Time alike deserve a big friendly hug for creating such a comfortable and loving space. Particularly for creating at a engaging atmosphere for adults of all ages, whilst at the same time, ensuring that the party kept going!
The little novelties dotted here and there were great fun to discover, too. These included everything from the room that smelt and felt increasingly like candy canes the deeper you walked in, to the pyramid of stairs overlooking the festival and the subtle fourth stage! Think a shipping container with a DJ blasting funky disco tunes.
Another set of captivating fireworks followed the New Year countdown, with everyone turning with smiles to hug and kiss friends, family and really, any friendly looking random in the vicinity. I even lit a Cuban cigar “bought straight off the farm”, because why not? (Bloody thing lasted a good 40 minutes.)
The dancey vibes continued for another couple hours before the event concluded with everyone floating out into the streets of Northbridge, and into a new year.
Hello 2019!
