Mode Festival 2022

MODE 2022

15 October

About Line up Location Tickets Submissions

A brand new music and arts festival reaching forward and exploring electronica’s potential. MODE is an ambitious sonic spectacle - aspirational and ever-changing. A transformative event built for futurist expression. Elevated dance music that probes, bound by an expansive visual arts experience. No matter the method - get lifted by club culture’s most magnetic new forms. Produced by the brains of Bizarro - MODE takes form on 15th October 2022 within the monolithic surrounds of Wareamah (Cockatoo Island, Industrial Precinct). Celebrate brash outsiders and the daring vanguard. Across three absorbing stages find genre-bending DJs, producers, live and visual artists who rightly stake their claim as some of the world’s most singular. MODE will host electronica’s most novel figures for an all-day dance odyssey like no other.

Adam Pits &
Lisene ^{(UK) (live)}
Anuraag ^(AU)
Aurora Halal ^{(USA) (live)}
Cousin ^{(AU) (live)}
Crescendoll ^(AU)
Djrum ^(UK)
E. Fishpool ^{(AU) (live)}
Etapp Kyle ^(UA)
Fibre Optixxx ^(AU)

KI/KI ^(NL)
Kia ^(AU)
Kritty ^(AU)
LOIF ^(AU)
Maara ^(CAN)
Nat Salih ^(AU)
OK EG ^{(AU) (live)}
Priori ^{(CAN) (live)}
upsammy ^(NL)
Wata Igarashi ^(JAP)

For more than 65,000 years prior to European settlement Wareamah was a site of immense cultural significance for the Wallumedegal, Wangal, Cammeraygal and Gadigal people comprising the Eora Nation. Wareamah translates to ‘Women’s Place’ as the island was traditionally used by women in cultural ceremony and for birthing.

The physical signs of the Eora's connection to Cockatoo Island were destroyed over time, likely commencing in 1839 when the Governor of New South Wales, chose Cockatoo Island as the site of a new penal establishment.

The natural balance of the island was disturbed by gunpowder blasting rocks and convicts manually excavating the site. Over time, industrial waste and the continual disturbance of the environment eroded any physical evidence of First Nations Peoples stewardship or culture on the island.

In more recent history, Wareamah has become a site of First Nation’s struggle against the damages of colonisation.

In 2000, a branch of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy set up a camp for four months on the island to gain back Native Title over the island due to its cultural significance. Isabel Coe, the group’s leader stating:

“This would have been a very sacred site. It is where the rivers join and is in the middle of where the sun rises and sets over the harbour. It is part of the milky way dreamtime stories”

Although this group was unsuccessful in reclaiming their rightful ownership of the island, physical evidence of Indigenous culture was once again restored to the Island through murals depicting the Aboriginal Flag and native animals.

Since then, Wareamah has become a site of reconciliation, managed by the Harbour Trust with consultation from the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council. Efforts to reconcile commenced in 2020 with the Reconciliation Action Plan.

We feel immensely grateful to have the support of the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council to use the space for Mode Festival.

Buy now ↗︎

Mode Festival’s arts programme will operate as a broad opportunity for local artists to showcase experimental forms of expression.

For our inaugural year, the key theme is"Speculative Futures", developed by artistic director Tiarna Herzceg. The arts programme will be given the opportunity to utilise a wealth of unique spaces in the island’s industrial precinct. Art - in any form - will have the ability to employ space in ways that are rarely available within traditional settings.

Mode’s arts programme will be open for individual or collective proposals to all via the form below. Artists are asked to provide a biography, thematic statement, artwork proposal, brief sketches or drafts, technical/logistical requirements, and any links to video documentation. Mode Festival will cover all transport and administrative costs involved with bringing your work to and from the festival. If you require further financial assistance, please contact us at hello@bizarro.life

Submissions are now closed. Our programme will be announced soon!

You can find images of most of the spaces available for use here.

Apply ↗︎

At mode festival we care about keeping you safe

Mode festival has engaged a medical team to be on site for the duration of the festival to keep you and your friends healthy during your time with us. Additionally, we have the crew from DanceWize NSW, security professionals and NSW Police on site to ensure that we all stay as safe as possible.

What is DanceWize NSW

DanceWize NSW utilises peers to reduce drug-and-alcohol-related harm at NSW dance parties and festivals. Our staff and volunteers are recruited from the festival, rave, doof, and dance music communities. We are a confidential and nonjudgmental service that you can feel comfortable coming to with any issues, because wherever you are, chances are we have been there too. We provide education on safer partying and safer drug use, roving teams to make sure everyone is okay throughout the festival and we host a care space if you need somewhere safe to recover for a bit. If you would like to volunteer with us or to find out more, check us out at: DanceWize NSW

How you can help us have a safe event

Seek help

If you or your friends feel unwell, or something isn’t right. Come to DanceWize or medical. Medical staff and DanceWize are confidential services. You won’t get in trouble for seeking help Need help? Go to medical Need help? Ask someone in high vis for support

Avoid dangerous combinations

The effects of alcohol and other drugs can be unpredictable when you mix them. It’s important to be aware of which combos are more dangerous. This also goes for medications that you may be prescribed. Check out this chart, and chat to DanceWize NSW to find out more. It’s a marathon not a race. Start low go slow!

Drugs & Heat

Taking MDMA can increase your body temperature, potentially damaging your organs, including your brain. It is important to stay cool when taking MDMA. MDMA is much more likely to cause damage if taken in the heat of the day. Stay cool, take breaks from dancing and drink plenty of water – 1 cup of water per hour when resting, or 2 cups per hour when dancing. Beer or other alcohol is not an appropriate substitute for water. Don’t drop it when it’s hot. Drugs & heat don’t mix.

Surround yourself with trusted mates

Partying is always better with good mates around you. Check in with your mates to make sure they’re doing okay. Make sure you each know your mates’ plans, and don’t be afraid to pull your mate up if you think they’ve had enough. Look after your mates.

Avoid using alcohol and other drugs if your mood is low or you’re feeling unwell

Your mood and physical wellbeing have a massive impact on the way any substance will affect you. It’s not a good idea to try to use alcohol or other drugs to lift your mood if you’re feeling down – they could make it much worse.

Driving

Plan a safe way to get home from the festival. Check the bus and train timetables, or make sure you have money for a cab. If you’re partying a long way from home, find alternative accommodation like a mate’s couch or a hotel room. Never drink/drug drive.

Eat, rest, hydrate

No matter whether you choose to use substances or not, a big day partying in the sun is going to take it out of you. Make some time between acts to have a rest and get some food. Keep yourself hydrated by drinking half a litre of water per hour while dancing, and about half that when resting. There’s free water at the bars and DanceWize NSW. Drink plenty of water! There is free water available on-site!

Love safe

Sometimes you meet new friends when you’re out partying, and alcohol and other drugs can influence your decision making. If you’re hooking up with someone, make sure they’re as keen as you are – seek enthusiastic consent. Condoms and other safer sex resources can be picked up for free from DanceWize NSW. If you ever feel unsafe or you need support, speak to a security guard or come to DanceWize NSW next to the medical tent. We will provide a safe space for you to talk, or not talk, about your experience. We’re here to help.

LOOK AFTER YOUR MATES