Return to Rio has grown since its humble beginnings three years ago, but hasn’t lost the intimate house-party vibes that make it so special.
Set at Del Rio Riverside Resort in Wisemans Ferry just outside Sydney, the festival kicked off with a fancy dress pool party that proved the perfect icebreaker to make new friends. Posters bearing inspirational slogans and encouraging random acts of kindness were scattered throughout the grounds.
The 2015 edition led with a strong lineup, including Saturday night headliners the Cuban Brothers. This UK trio entertained poolside, splicing old-school funk and soul with onstage antics. The slapstick comedy was lost a little on some of the festivalgoers who were tuned to dance. But in the end it was hard not to be charmed by Kengo-San, Miguel and Archerio Mantovani’s high-energy show, filled with breakdancing, costume changes and soulful, Cuban-inspired tunes.
A festival highlight was LTJ Bukem (aka Daniel Williamson) who played a heroic double set following a no-show by the highly anticipated Brandon Block. The renowned London drum and bass producer and head of Good Looking Records picked up a new posse of Australian fans as he dropped a run of classic house tunes into his mix of atmospheric drum and bass.
Also worth a mention is Philipp Jung, one half of Berlin minimal house duo MANDY. There were plenty of dark and light shades to his set, and a feeling of airlessness quickly had limbs swaying and feet bouncing.
The Tiki bar programmed local DJs alongside big-name international acts. A set from DJ Ben Nott, recently seen making waves in UK and US, managed to even get security staff tapping their toes. Spotted in the crowd was an older couple who wiped the dancefloor clean with their tireless dancing.
In the current musical landscape Return to Rio proves why “boutique festivals” are on the rise. A unique, almost secretive location surrounded by bushland and limited ticket sales – just 1,200 extravagantly dressed party animals turned up for the three-day show – is clearly the recipe for a vibrant and hedonistic festival atmosphere.
