Rainbow Serpent 2018: Fire, sweat and techno

Kompakt led the way on Sunday, with label boss Michael Mayer and Patrice Bäumel driving the Market Stage through five hours after Gabriel Ananda, before Croatian maestro Petar Dundov stunned with his emotion-laced, intelligent techno in a blue and purple laser-riddled live show that followed: a definite festival highlight for us.

Desert Hearts’ Tara Brooks, Berlin-based Aussie Claire Morgan, Shlømo, Thomas Schumacher, Robert Babicz, Alex Stein, Third Son, Miss Melera and Solee also killed the always-amazing Market Stage; the non-stop hub for house and techno throughout the festival.

A beautiful Opening Ceremony paid respects to the traditional indigenous custodians of the land at the Main Stage before it transformed into the usual psy-trance-heavy beast (it’s open only for an all-guns-blazing 20-hour stint in the middle of the event). Israel’s Captain Hook took control from just after midnight as a rave veteran pulled up next to us with tales of his 18 straight Rainbows.

Meanwhile, the Sunset Stage, at the back of the festival site, runs either side of the Main, with Edu Imbernon, The Librarian and locals Bec Grenfell and Willaris. K among those playing this year.

Of course, you’ve also got the theme camps (shout out to Mixmag favourite Coco Poco Loco), The Playground tent and the Chill Stage, where Melbourne duo Albrecht La’Brooy played a stand-out restorative improvised ambient live set on Sunday, to explore as well.

Thought-provoking art installations and panel talks, discussing issues including harm minimisation and environmental sustainability, are all part of scene-leading Rainbow’s appeal as well.

This year, local Labor politician Geoff Howard, chairman of a state inquiry into drug law reform, dropped by to talk about pill testing in a step forward for the important measure, yet to happen in Australia. Professor Fiona Measham, of UK organisation The Loop, was also on hand, along with local advocates including Dr David Caldicott.

As always, we’ve brought you a selection of the tracks that moved us most booming out of the Funktion-One systems across the weekend.

Check them out below and we’ll catch you next year.

Edu Imbernon - Sunset Stage, Friday

The Spanish producer stepped up to the Sunset Stage for two hours from midnight on Friday, the first official night of music following smaller theme parties for the most keen of Rainbow revelers when gates opened a day earlier. Glowing jellyfish umbrellas and ‘doof stick’ totems bobbed up and down as the Valencia local dished out his distinctive melodic techno and tracks including Audiojack’s ‘Reverie’ and Boris Dlugosch & Cassara’s ‘Traveller.’ An edit of driving Johannes Heil belter ‘From Within’ with soulful ‘Music is the Answer’ vocal shining over the top was a definite set highlight booming through the festival’s back blocks. The hypnotic rhythm of his own production ‘Lucent’ soothed us into the weekend with the clinging humidity of the day and earlier evening finally behind us for the night.

Tara Brooks - Market Stage, Saturday

It’s fair to say the Market Stage would be one of the favourite places in the world of plenty of Australian ravers and there’s nothing quite like wandering down for the first time on Saturday as the summer sun beams down on thousands of vibrant faces and colourful outfits having the times of their lives. Desert Hearts’ Tara Brooks led the charge from 2pm before Third Son and Revolver legend Boogs took control. The heat was fierce with the beats to match with tech-house rollers slugging out of the Funktion-One set up. The acid squelches and chimes of Kim Ann Foxman’s ‘E4 Energy’ ramped up the vibe as a sign spruiking ‘FUCK IT’S HOT!’ summed things up perfectly.