Exclusive: Laneway 2018 drew 77,500 in three countries

The reviews of Laneway 2018 were that it again proved to be “the people’s festival” and boasted its best lineup yet – this year it drawing in 77,500 across three countries.

This was the breakdown:

Singapore: 10,000

New Zealand: 13,000

Adelaide: 6,000

Melbourne: 15,000

Sydney: 12,500

Brisbane: 11,000

Fremantle: 10,000

Everybody had their new and old favourites but it was generally accepted that California-hailed Anderson .Paak and the Free Nationals was the ones who made the most amount of new fans, given the turn-out for their sets and loud calls for an encore even before they finished their set!

Paak was even one of those who celebrated a birthday during the tour.

Mac Demarco who must have found it surreal to walk out onstage to a sea of people sporting Mac Demarco masks, was another act that went down a storm.

At the Adelaide show, Anderson .Paak and the Free Nationals sat side-stage and turned Demarco’s set into a talent quest by marking each song (all high) and Demarco thanked the Adelaide crowd by pulling out ‘First Time’ for the, er, first time on the tour.

In Fremantle, Rakel Mjoll of British band Dream Wife (making their Australian debut), singled out women in the crowd with "I spy with my little eye, bad bitches" while Brisbane MC Jesswar roared out, "Now all you bad bitches, please move to the front."

Slowdive, also make their debut, (along with Shame and S U R V I V E) had a nervous moment when an audience member suffered a seizure during their set.

The two additions to the tour intensified Laneway relationship with its crowd.

In Melbourne’s I Oh You’s Block Party regenerated the festival’s original spirit even though the high temperature saw Jesswar’s laptop overheat two songs in and forcing her to save the situation with acapella raps.

Melbourne also added Music With Mates, while Laneway also drew exposure for its new charity partner ‘Fight MND’

Brisbane showcased Violent Soho bassist Luke Henery’s other passion, photography,

His exhibition Everybody Deserves a Home put the spotlight with power and poignancy on the homeless and the work of Brisbane charity Micah Projects.

The prints were to be mounted in a tunnel beneath Brisbane Showgrounds but at the last minute it transpired that the tunnel was heritage listed and the artwork couldn’t be mounted properly. For safety’s sake, it was moved indoors.

Two comments from the artists summed up Laneway 2018.

“The most fun, positive experience. The best tour I’ve ever been on,” said Anderson .Paak

“Laneway is the best tour I’ve ever been on,” added Steve Lacy of The Internet.