Mountain Sounds: Good Vibes
The annual Mountains Sounds Festival held at Mt Penang Gardens in February attracts a mind blowing array of people and outfits.
Combining culture, music, art and people, it’s a thriving Central Coast festival that unites high vibrations, free dance moves and all walks of life.
Mountain Sounds Festival. Photo: Lauren Jade Riley
Mountain Sounds Festival. Photo: Lauren Jade Riley
Mountain Sounds Festival. Photo: Lauren Jade Riley
The high frequency vibes which settle in the Kariong parklands feed the spirit of euphoria, whilst epitomising Central Coast locality and culture.
The thousands in attendance are a balance of gritty and gorgeous, with fashion ranging from garage junk to glamour.
Mountain Sounds Festival. Photo: Lauren Jade Riley
Mountain Sounds Festival. Photo: Lauren Jade Riley
Mountain Sounds Festival. Photo: Lauren Jade Riley
It could become our Coachella, a place where great music and cool people gather.
While there is a fist-punching line up and loads of food trucks, the festival also shows off the burning passion of local artists.
Mountain Sounds Festival. Photo: Lauren Jade Riley
Mountain Sounds Festival. Photo: Lauren Jade Riley
Mountain Sounds Festival. Photo: Lauren Jade Riley
It’s both a visual and sensory rollercoaster.
The combination of communal artworks, communal authenticity and communal dancing creates a beautiful space for connectedness, free individuality and happiness that radiates through the weekend festival.
Mountain Sounds Festival. Photo: Lauren Jade Riley
Mountain Sounds Festival. Photo: Lauren Jade Riley
Mountain Sounds Festival. Photo: Lauren Jade Riley
The headline acts including Rufus, Dune Rats and the all-time favourite closing performance by Hermitude, feature heart-swelling moments.
The non-stop head-banging goodness sends colourful costumes into a flurry of fancy footwork.
Mountain Sounds Festival. Photo: Lauren Jade Riley
Mountain Sounds Festival. Photo: Lauren Jade Riley
Moving and shaking around the parklands is almost viral – an infectious disease that bounces between the four alternate stages, each of an impressive quality.
The combination of sweet and explosive melodies cultivating the longest lasting memories and getting the jitter bug creeping deep beneath the skin.
Mountain Sounds Festival. Photo: Lauren Jade Riley
Mountain Sounds Festival. Photo: Lauren Jade Riley
Mountain Sounds Festival. Photo: Lauren Jade Riley
A crowded, tired and soggy crowd jiggle across the grasslands as the closing act of the night is performed beneath a moody starlit sky.
Yet despite any bad weather or exhaustion from fun, harmony remains.
Mountain Sounds Festival. Photo: Lauren Jade Riley
Mountain Sounds Festival. Photo: Lauren Jade Riley
At the conclusion of the night, when the swags come out and the others go home, each individual is left feeling both exhausted and fulfilled by the amazing demonstration of the coastal spirit: a free-loving community that accepts every walk of life for what it is and invites opportunity and adventure with open arms.
Perhaps the secret to Mountain Sounds success lies in the fact that anyone can be anything. And anything is possible.
A big thank you to festival chic Coastie Lauren Jade Riley who covered MSF17 for Coastal Chic
