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Live Review: It's Official: The Plot is the festival of the future

21 November 2017 | 10:06 am | Jackson Langford

THE PLOT is one of those events that you might think would be impossible to pull off. In a festival era where bigger is supposed to be better, organisers are on a non-stop, relentless hunt for only the biggest of headliners and even bigger experiences. But, in saying that, compromises happen and our big festivals are leaving up and coming artists, especially those in minority groups who deserve the exposure more than anyone, in the dust.

The Plot, however, aren't having a bar of that crap. On Saturday 18 November, the legends at Cattleyard gave us a humble showcase of virtually every Australian artist you need to know about but ended up soaring above the festival heavyweights. Dare I say it, The Plot 2017 might have been the best festival of the year and there are a quite few heroic moments to thank for such a spectacular event.

THE FUTURE IS FEMALE

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huge selling point of THE PLOT was that it very easily achieved what so many promoters have exhaustingly claimed to be impossible - gender diversity on a lineup. It proved that gender diversity on a lineup is far from impossible. Not only that, women kick ass and punters know it. Whether it was the tear-jerking connection everyone felt to a humble ALEX THE ASTRONAUT, the relentless moshing to the Bunnings-sweatshirt-wearing RUBY FIELDS, the non-stop party that was MALLRAT's set or the spellbinding hush that washed over the crowd during ODETTE's performance, the future of music is very much here and women are very much a part of it.

A special shoutout to Mallrat's overalls that were shaped like a bunny rabbit. Too cute.

THIS GIRL THAT WALKED AROUND THE FESTIVAL WITH AN EGGPLANT ON A STICK FOR SOME REASON

She's not the hero we asked for, but the hero we deserve.

CHOREOGRAPHY IS COMING BACK

Unless you're a pop star, it's unlikely that choreographed dance routines are going to be a part of your performance. However, while they might not be selling out arenas just yet, two acts on the bill are making sure that choreography earns it's rightful place in the Australian music scene. HAIKU HANDS, known for their monster of a song, 'Not About You', did not stop moving. Every moment was another move, another pose, another drop and the crowd loved every second.

But, it was the enigmatic and all-conquering CONFIDENCE MAN that ensured their dance moves, as batsh*t crazy as they were, left a lasting impression on crowds. It was one of the most ridiculous performances of the day, but in all the right ways. Their crowd interaction was minimal to nonexistent - with the exception of one "Why aren't you dancing?!" - and front duo Janet Planet and Sugar Bones kept a straight face the entire time while giving their all. It proves that nothing is too silly if you commit, and the roars, screams and thunderous applause the band departed to is proof that fans will love it too.

FRIENDSHIP IN THE COMMUNITY HAS NEVER FELT MORE REAL

ALICE IVY joined Mallrat for a gorgeous FLIGHT FACILITIES cover. KUREN brought out Dylan Frost of STICKY FINGERS for his first live appearance since the controversy and rehabilitation that surrounded him earlier this year. Even artists that weren't on the bill at all, such as E^ST, KINDER and RIC RUFIO were spotted floating around Parramatta Park. While 2017 may bring us a lot of doubt about a lot of things, let it be known that the connection between artists is stronger than ever and is only gonna mean our country's music industry is the most exciting it's ever been. And we have THE PLOT to thank for showcasing it to us all. Until next year!

Photo by Gabrielle Clement/Project U

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