Yes, the title is an inside joke, but a memorable part of the weekend. One of those moments when no one can stop laughing. Laughing to the point you are crying………..I’ll set the scene.
Here we are at the Boyup Brook Country Music Festival. Not something we have ever done before, but something we are likely to repeat. Our friends made the suggestion and the Travel Bee (adults) jumped at the chance for a new experience.
It all begins like any good festival with setting up camp. For a variety of reasons, the Travel Bees had to go simple, no camper trailer. In fact, basic might be a better word for it, and it doesn’t get any more basic than the great Aussie swag.
The gazebo is simply an added shield against the scorching West Australian sun. Here in WA we are in the middle of a heat wave, Boyup Brook hasn’t seen rain since September! (Fortunately the school’s irrigation is working well and we were greeted with a nice grassy pitch).
After a surprisingly restful sleep, Saturday morning started with a street festival, market stalls and a ute and truck parade. The atmosphere was relaxed and jolly as everyone strolled the street in their cowboy boots and hats. Pausing to listen to the buskers we were impressed with the talent, and loved the impromptu line dancing in the street.
Suddenly there were sirens blaring, horns beeping and engines revving. The emergency services led the parade of impressive polished trucks, utes old and new, clean and dirty as they proudly displayed their competition category. My personal favourite was the ‘most feral ute’ category!
Late afternoon we headed to the main event, music was scheduled from 3:30pm to midnight. I for one, was unsure what to expect. I’m by no means a country music buff and wasn’t sure if I would know any of the music. I wondered if I would be over it by 8pm.
What I discovered, was that you don’t need to know country music, you just have to listen. More than any other music style, it just about listening to the story. It’s relaxing, it’s chilled, and it’s very clever. Most of the time you just can’t stop your toe from tapping! We ended up making it to 11:30pm! Troy Cassar-Daley and Codee-Lee were my personal favourites.
So…… to let you in on the joke…. Before heading down to the main event, we decided we better do some homework. Mr A googled each artist and played us one of their songs. It was all going well until we got to Brandon Poletti and the Eagleton Brothers.
Because the title was so long, he decided asking Siri to find them might be quicker. But, I’m sure you’ve all tried it…… Siri doesn’t always hear correctly what you say, particularly if you say it wrong in the first place! After several failed attempted the band’s name had morphed somewhat and we were all in fits of giggles.
In the end, we thought it was easier to wait and see Brandon on stage. I found it ironic one of his first songs was called ‘Slow down’ and all about how life goes too fast and we are always trying to find short cuts. If only we cause press the pause button…. or just take the time to type into google. Although sometimes it’s not nearly as entertaining!
TTB
The Travel Bee 