Laneway 2023

Brisbane, QLD - 04/02/23

Laneway is a festival that masters locking in lineup’s of up and coming acts. Never in my 13 years of following festivals have I seen a group that is able to pick which artist is going to be huge and put them on their line up before it happens. In the past we have seen Lorde and Haim both side acts turned into main acts, Laneway knew before anyone. There is music for everyone at Laneway no genre is left out.

But Laneway doesn’t leave the thinking just to the music, their organisation skills are second to none and they think about the whole experience including, food, bar, toilets, crowd control and of course sound.

Good Better Best Stage and Never Let It Rest Stage

Laneway went with two stages next to each other for their main. Which is always a great idea as the entertainment never stops and that reduces crowds coming and going all at once. This used to be the way all big festivals were but since covid its like some have forgotten this magic trick. Both these stages were identical apart from that Good Better Best Stage lived up to its name as it had a wheelchair viewing platform that was supposed to be for both stages but the Never Let It Rest Stage was not viewable from this platform. Please see Accessibility for all the things Laneway did amazing though!

Laneway at all stages managed to bring brilliant sound which has been rare the last few months in the festival world. The lay out of the sound systems catered for any viewing position of the stages.

They positioned their main stage area towards the amphitheatre in RNA so that you got the best sound while sitting in grand stands and you got the view of Brisbane city skyline behind the stages. Highlights for this stage were Fred Again, The Jungle Giants, Mallrat and Haim.

Everything Ecstatic Stage

This stage was undercover which was a great way to beat the heat. But don’t worry there is still a massive amount of space and the roof is that high the breeze still comes in. This was the first stage after entry and close to food , toilets and of course the bar. Highlights at this stage included Ross From Friends, Slowthai and LOGIC 1000

**Hell F*CK Yeah! Stage**

This stage was enormous undercover tent which was delish! With no sides to allow air flow made it a perfect spot to dance. The toilets were not far and the second food court also all within arms reach. The sound was not a second thought either and again was blaring from every direction! Highlights were Julia Jacklin and Hockey Dad

Amenities

I never had to wait longer then 2 minutes for a toilet. At the Hell F*CK Yeah! Stage there were toilets that were just marked ‘toilets’ and not broken up into genders. I loved this and think this is something we need to see more of at festivals. But please keep the troughs for the people who choose to use them as this keeps lines small and toilets clean. Well done to Laneway for booking more then enough toilets!

Food and drink

There was 2 food courts and other one off food vendors scattered around the grounds so I never saw lines to long to snag a quick feed between acts. Also lots of different options and even a Mr Whippy! At the Bar I never had to line up long for a drink either with lots of staff on hand ready to get you in and out in a jiffy.

Getting there

Getting to the festival was easy as they had the entry a short 5 minute walk from The Valley if you were pre-drinking there or catching the train in. Laneway had it sorted that lines coming in were short and fast with plenty of gates which seems rare in the past year of festivals. There were minimal police to make punters feel not so intimidated while they are trying to have a good time. Laneway had Red Frog volunteers at the front of stages handing out water all day long, which shows Laneway is committed to harm reduction.

Accessibility

Its great to see Laneway marking accessible viewing and accessible toilets on their map. We really hope that more festivals start to follow this. Speaking to people who were using the viewing platforms they all said they were having a great time and finding the festival easy to get around in their wheelchairs. The only problem was the Accessible viewing at the main stages only viewed the Good Better Best Stage and you could not see the Never Let It Rest Stage. Good job Laneway for being accessible and we hope you continue working on this. Thank you everyone at the Good Better Best Stage viewing area for taking the time to speak to us and thank you for the text.

Joe and Laura’s Highlights

Brisbane had been in a heat wave for the last week. Laneway started off raining as it went into the early afternoon it cleared up and cooled down and a majestic sunset took over the skyline at the main stages. Fred Again played the set of the day to what felt like 95% of the festival goers attending. Everyone was in ore. Overall an incredible day at Laneway and we hope to go again next year!