My first Rainbow Serpent Festival was in 2003. I’d headed up early to shoot some pics and video and saw the trees and fields become a living, breathing entity with a spirit of its own. It was a baptism of fire; freezing overnight and then a record 51 degrees on the Saturday afternoon, but these extremes were nothing on the party that unfolded, and it left me hooked and with the need to attend the next 5 Rainbows. In a campsite conversation at my second festival, they likened Earthcore to clubbing outdoors, whilst Rainbow was something more; a connection, something spiritual. DJ Krusty once told me a festival is a participation event; you have to experience it to know it.

From humble beginnings in the 90s, the Rainbow Serpent Festival has grown from 3,000 in 2003 to over 7,000 people last year, becoming one of Australia’s most recognised electronic lifestyle festivals. It encompasses not only a broad spectrum of electronic music, but also arts, crafts, markets, expert eco-presenters, workshops, dance and even areas for kids. Rainbow comes together every year from months of planning by the directors Felix “Sugar” Hamer and Frank Venuto, as well as manager Billie Wheatley. As well as paid workers, friends and associates, Rainbow lives and breathes through a volunteer network, all of whom are happy to bust their arses on the parking lot, picking up litter or manning the gates, in exchange for a ticket or two.

Before Rainbow, Billie was a veteran of the dance scene in Melbourne, having done the Sheds, the Docks, and throwing one hell of a free party in the city that drew thousands. His Rainbow career started out as volunteer coordinator, before moving to become the market manager, and now he is the hospitality and vendor manager. “One of the reasons Rainbow is a success is [that] we don’t cut corners to make a buck. We aim to create not just a place for music, but an interesting and welcoming space and time… visual performances… ambience… it’s more than a sound system outdoors,” says Billie. “Music is one of many elements of the festival, but it’s not just about the music – it’s the connection with art, with one another, with nature.”

He also goes on to explain what’s the root of the festival, “The Rainbow Serpent is one of the most important aboriginal folk tales, and to feel that connection we need to embrace that culture, show respect to one another, the land and its history.” If you have a look at any one of the Rainbow dance floors at sunrise, watching the bare feet pound the earth and bodies sway with blissful smiles emerging on faces, it becomes all the more clear. In line with changing musical trends, the styles played at Rainbow have also evolved. From the early days of psy-trance, you’ll now also hear world music, electro, dirty disco, reggae, progressive and beats. “Basically there weren’t enough hardcore trancers to sustain the festival and keep it alive. Our attendance levels were growing so we needed to cater to a broader audience. People move through and you need new people not just to get enough numbers, but for that infusion of energy, excitement, wide-eyed bewilderment.”

With all this on offer, one might wonder why festivals like this aren’t more well-attended, although 7,000 is really starting to get up there. It’s because 3 to 5 days off camping and partying is something only a select number of devotees are up for. It can be dirty, tiring and an effort. “We really took notice of feedback from last year when it was windy, dusty and at times hard going. We have reconfigured the market area to act as a windshield and got cattle off the land. We were lucky with rainfall and planted grass seeds months ago, and this year have more of a green carpet. In addition to this, the camping area with the abundance of trees has been extended by double, so more shade for camping.”

The green grass isn’t the only green aspect of the festival as it moves towards minimising its environmental footprint and becoming carbon neutral. “This year, the serving ware used by the market stalls must be biodegradable, our generators will be run on bio-fuel, we have a well organised recycling effort, the composting dunnies are back as well as a new tree planting initiative.” Definitely not the sort of thing you’ll see at your average city-based festival. “Every year we improve, and being our 11th festival we have a lot of experience. The food is great, the music and sound system is always amazing, extra stages and more space – this years festival will be our best yet.”

Before you can call yourself an Aussie who seriously loves electronic music, you must have made the Rainbow pilgrimage. Pack the sunscreen, neutral colours, some camping gear, a relaxed attitude and an expectation for something out of the ordinary, and get yourself to Beaufort for the 2008 event. It all kicks off on Friday January 25, and you’ll be in for the ride of your life!

For more info on Rainbow Serpent check out ITM’s Festival Page or head to www.rainbowserpent.net.