Today’s review is brought to you by the letter F, and the number 7.  The F word...something that shouldn’t be said at Parachute, the number 7...something to do with sin.  Let’s slam them together, and see what we get shall we?

1. Frosting.  As in the sweet kind that you find on cupcakes.  But this time I am talking about the type that comes with a pretty lady named Ruby Frost who performed to a mixed crowd on the opening evening.  The peach-haired Bowie lover sung all of her hits, and had everyone singing along, which equalled Friday night delight for sure!  I’d have to say that my personal highlight was when she took a photo of her view stating – I have to do this, because you’re my favourite crowd.  So cute!!!  I wonder if anyone has invented a Ruby Frost cupcake yet...I want one.

2. Front-men.  The majority of bands that I checked out on the Saturday were dudes, so it’s only fair that I write about them too, right?  The best ones of my day were Loui the Zu, who jumped around the stage and pulled a few Michael Jackson poses – awesome!!!  Luke Thompson, who made everyone chuckle as he battled with the music blaring in from the Palladium next door.  The Jury & the Saints who were just...well...mental on stage.  I don’t know where their energy came from, but I want some of that!  And of course Family Force 5.  But I’ll write more about them later because I’m in love with that band.

3. Full.  And not from eating too many Ruby Frost cupcakes, I can assure you.  I had a sneaky suspicion about this on the Friday night when I turned up to already packed car parks...but come mid-day Saturday, the event had officially sold out!  Woohoo!  Go Parachute!!!

4. Fashion.  Flight of the Conchords once declared that fashion is danger.  In this case, fashion sadly was not danger. Rather fashion was play it safe and comfortable.  At previous Parachute festivals I’d noticed a love of stubbies, but they were no-where to be seen this year!  Instead, there were mostly boardies & denim shorts for the boys, and floral dresses & shorts and singlets for the girls.  Not quite as exciting as I had hoped for...maybe next year.

5. Fabulous ladies.  Other than Ruby Frost, I also checked out the lovely Lydia Cole who has swapped her mid-length locks to a cute pixie cut.  Sporting a dress that she told the crowd she was a bit unsure of until Luke Oram had told her that it made her look pretty, the sweet lady charmed the crowd just as she did last year.

6. Fun.  Sun.  The two go hand in hand, and they certainly did at this year’s event!  We were blessed with amazing weather on the Saturday – beautiful blue skies, and everyone was making the most of it, sun bathing in between shows and checking out the rides on offer.  I’d have to say that the Foam Dome that was set up this year was pretty hilarious to watch!  Kids were running out as quickly as they were running into it, getting blasted with foam from head to toe!  There were also a few circus style games on offer – like those creepy clown faces that turn their heads from side to side.  Eeeeep!

7. Family Force 5.  I can’t think of a better way to end my day at Parachute, than with the band described as rock, crunk, punk, pop...whew!  These boys know how to throw a party, and kept the momentum going right through to the end, where lead-singer, Soul Glow Activatur jumped in his blow-up boat and slid into the sea of hands.  It wasn’t long before he was getting amongst it in the crowd, and then back on stage to finish their set.  Performing all of their hit songs, including their latest releases Wobble, Cray Button and Zombie, these lads really know how to float my boat – and many others’ boats I’m sure.  Yeeeow!

Thank you Parachute for another fantastic year!  If you’re into events where people actually treat you with respect, rather than run you down to get to the next stage, this would definitely be your kind of festival!

Amanda Ratcliffe

• 1
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• 2
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• 3
  Fraser Ross
• 4
  Fur Patrol
• 5
  Degrees.K
• 6
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• 7
  L.A.B.
• 8
  The Feelers
• 9
  Devilskin
• 10
  The Boondocks

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• 1
  APT.
  ROSÉ And Bruno Mars
• 2
  DIE WITH A SMILE
  Lady Gaga And Bruno Mars
• 3
  BIRDS OF A FEATHER
  Billie Eilish
• 4
  TASTE
  Sabrina Carpenter
• 5
  I LOVE YOU, I'M SORRY
  Gracie Abrams
• 6
  ESPRESSO
  Sabrina Carpenter
• 7
  SAILOR SONG
  Gigi Perez
• 8
  LOSE CONTROL
  Teddy Swims
• 9
  A BAR SONG (TIPSY)
  Shaboozey
• 10
  GOOD LUCK, BABE!
  Chappell Roan

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