Quill and Alyssa, The Buloke Times

Esoteric Festival shook the ground at Gil Gil to Donald’s north over the Labour Day weekend, attracting an incredible number of like-minded patrons to the popular dance corroboree. 

The ground trembled under those assembled; thousands of feet dancing to the heavy beat of music, provided by globally renowned DJs, with arms collectively raised to the open sky, intent on ascension into the Esoverse. 

Esoverse being the theme of this year’s music, arts and lifestyle festival, our nearest star shone in what seemed like overwhelming approval – a demonstration of the power of our universe – baking festival goers in temperatures not yet seen since the first festival held. 

Saturday’s forty-degree forecast was enough to concern festival organisers, particularly since the popular lagoon had to be closed following an outbreak of gastro. Never doubt the ingenuity of country folk to cool down on a hot day though, and the comfort of patrons was made priority. 

Sprinkler systems were installed at random throughout the site providing cool areas to sit and chill, and also turning dusty dance floors into mud pits beneath the thousands of those undeterred by the heat, dancing simultaneously in the both the sun and the “rain”. As well as a handy fire truck and fireman hosing down any who asked, drinking water stations were located throughout the festival as well as non-potable water with which to drench oneself with. 

All of that water didn’t seem to make a difference to the dust which was kicked up by an enthusiastic Esoteric family, celebrating one another and the earth on which they stood, so patrons were encouraged to hydrate themselves just as enthusiastically, while many emergency service personnel were on hand to assist anyone in need. 

The opening ceremony was once again held at the Ascension Stage; however, this year everyone gathered on the Friday evening for the traditional Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony.

Dja Dja Warrung dancers led the ceremony under the setting sun and setting the mood for love and respect; for ourselves, for each other, and for our earth. And as the sun dipped below the horizon, the magic of Esoteric Festival’s decor began to emerge. 

Alternative art

It’s not all about music and dancing. Esoverse is made up of all sorts, gathering the world’s best creative artists in the one place for all to enjoy and the psychedelic installations that come to life at night are just a part of the whole experience. Huge props to everyone who put the whole sets together, because they weren’t only massive, but were also absolutely gorgeous, and some even had moving parts!

A host of live art was on offer over the festival’s five days, including visual art, live painting, body painting, performers, and workshops.

After dancing for hours, strategic areas are designed for people to stop and relax, such as the couch gardens, art and crafts and bush cinema, in addition to activities such as yoga, meditation, healing workshops and insightful lectures, to slow the body and broaden the mind. The Chill Corner even had a little reading nook tucked away inside the shade of a tent, as well as places for drawing and colouring in.

Not only all that, but delicious food to nourish, and interesting markets were all on offer. Shops that would rival any in a Melbourne market; not only food stalls with cuisine on offer from every country you could think of, but also clothes and trinkets, sunglasses, crystals, water bottles, and jewellery amongst numerous other things.

Local groups benefitted from the Festival with Lions barbecue and similar volunteers in attendance, and numerous businesses in the wider community feeling the influx of thousands flocking to the area with the festival’s sold out success. From the “bring a mate to the gate” promotion of the first year, to sell out success, Esoteric is proving itself a sustainable injection of tourism to the area.

Not just boosting a small town’s economy, the congregation in the distant corner of the Esoverse brought together so many different souls with one common goal and truly provided a cosmic journey where the youth of Esoteric could adventure and play without fear.

Though no-one likes goodbyes, it is perhaps the very spirit of Esoteric that its festival goers bid it farewell at the closing ceremony on Monday night with the same vibrant enthusiasm that they welcomed it in with at the opening ceremony Friday evening. Patrons can bid farewell knowing that it was the very end of it that gave it meaning in the first place, and be glad of its occurrence instead of sad at its passing.

Esoteric has grown into a community with its own kind of understanding and kinship, stretching across countries and ages. Said community might part ways now, but they’ll find each other – and more – again at next year’s festival, for sure.

See all the photos in the issue.

This article appeared in The Buloke Times, 13 March 2024.