The ominous clouds of early morning foretell an afternoon downpour, but it only dampens the mood temporarily as blue skies return and the thousands of attendees shake off their blues at Sydney's The Domain (15 November).
The stage is uniquely positioned in the middle of the festival, the top featuring massive screens and support beams showcasing ascending light shows. There is plenty of room to get up close to DJ and producer Ana Julieta who drops banger after banger. Old and new, there's something for everyone, and the sound system is superb.
Dancers intermittently enter the stage, colours bursting from their matching outfits, giving it all they have, and amping the crowd to 100. Medics patrol the crowd ensuring every patron parties safely, and reassuring help is never far away.
Julieta stands atop the riser positioned behind the decks, outstretching her arms as the sun shines across her, "forever young, I wanna be forever young," echoing across the landscape.
The dancers return, this time rockstar themed, singing a medley beginning with Gaga, blue and orange featuring across the spectacle. It's a genius way to transition between DJs. It culminates with a queen atop the riser, gigantic trains extending across the stage.
Image © Jacob Richardson
Dan Slater takes the decks in hand, setting a moody, bassy tone. The VIP area offers toilets, an elevated viewing platform, multitude of tables and chairs and a generous free drinks package from 3-5, served responsibly of course.
Hits flow like water, from Adam Lambert to Billie Eilish. It was an interesting choice to position the decks facing away from the VIP area, but all is revealed. The decks move around the 360 degree stage as well, and DJ Dan is now facing the VIPs.
Patrons are suitably more fashionable than your average festival crowd. Angel wings and couture hats liven the landscape, among a plethora of shirtless bodies that belong on a catwalk.
Anticipation builds as time nears for headliner Cascada. A voiceover builds the drama while the crowd go crazy. 'Evacuate The Dancefloor' hits your chest and ears like a wave, orange flames bursting from the stage as Cascada and her dancers set the tone.
"Do you know this part," she asks for the rap, and the crowd surely do. "Sydney, good evening. How are you doing," Cascada teases to a roar. "I'm not a good talker but I'm good at singing. On with the music," she declares.
The mood keeps rolling with a dance medley of hits that have you forgetting about life for a while. Cascada wears a sparkly golden leotard that shines as bright as her vocals, an impressive feat while dancing as energetically as she does.
Image © Jacob Richardson
"I love doing festivals like these," she declares. "We all need to come together. F... the hate," she says, before, "sorry mum." 'Truly Madly Deeply' has the crowd jumping off their feet, before Cascada teases 'Everytime We Touch', going into 'What Hurts The Most', which absolutely explodes the crowd's energy.
High notes ring over the crowd who haven't stopped dancing. 'Dangerous' has hips swinging and fists pumping. "My god it's surreal for me to be here," Cascada shares, before 'Ain't No Mountain High Enough', which is highly choreographed. The dancers are second to none.
Now is the time patrons have waited almost 20 years for. Cascada has the crowd sing the first verse and chorus of 'Everytime We Touch' and it's beautiful. "Give yourselves a round of applause," Cascada smiles. The song is everything you can want and more, the dancers working overtime. 'Because The Night' ends the set, and it's all over too soon.
Manuel Coby finishes the night, entering with a flurry of builds and the crowd aren't going anywhere. His set traverses a range of flavours, the salsa proving exceptionally danceable.
As the lights come down and the music fades, every patron leaves with a sweaty chest and a smiling face, just like they should. What will RAYDIA offer next?
This story originally appeared on our sister site, scenestr.
