Wildlands Festival
- Molly Elliot
- Jan 3
- 3 min read
Updated: Jan 7
Dom Dolla, Kid Cudi, Addison Rae and more at Wildlands festival, Perth | 03 January 2026
Wildlands returned on Saturday night, transforming Arena Joondalup into a vibrant celebration of music, summer and collective energy. Set on a warm summer evening, the festival felt effortless from the moment gates opened. The air was still warm well into the night, the sky slowly shifting from soft sunset hues to darkness, and the crowd arrived in high spirits. Despite the scale of the event, the atmosphere remained welcoming and upbeat, with everyone clearly there for the same reason, to dance, to connect, and to soak in one of the biggest nights of the summer.
The early stages of the festival set the tone perfectly, with live rap sets from Miss Kaninna and Brat on the sun-drenched Sahara stage. The big top tent of the Summit stage proved populate with the early revellers seeking relief from the midday sun. Sets from Willo and Jazzy opened the day there with smooth, groove heavy house tracks that instantly drew people in. Even at the beginning of the evening, the crowd was already moving, drinks in hand, bodies swaying as the sun began to dip. It felt less like a warm up and more like the start of something special, with a shared sense of anticipation building across the venue.
As golden hour arrived, Notion took to the stage, delivering a standout live performance that felt perfectly timed. His set blended upbeat energy with feel good moments, elevated by the warm glow of the sunset and the growing buzz of the crowd. Watching the venue slowly fill while the sky changed colour added a cinematic quality to the experience, reinforcing the feeling that the night was only just beginning.
Over at the other tent, Kettama brought a surge of energy that shifted the pace of the festival. His set was fast, heavy and packed with hits, drawing in a tightly packed crowd that fed off every beat. The atmosphere inside the tent was intense yet joyful, with everyone fully immersed, dancing, jumping and losing themselves in the moment. It was one of the most vibey sets of the night and a clear favourite for many.
Among the headliners, Addison Rae delivered one of the most enjoyable performances of the festival. Her set was unapologetically pop, filled with catchy hooks and fun, high energy beats that had the entire crowd dancing along. She was confident and engaging, clearly comfortable on stage, and her connection with the audience felt natural and genuine. The mood during her performance was light, playful and euphoric, a perfect match for a warm summer night surrounded by friends.
Kid Cudi followed with a set that blended nostalgia, emotion and pure hype. When he performed Pursuit of Happiness, the crowd erupted, with thousands of voices singing along in unison. It was a defining moment of the night, one that felt both personal and collective at the same time. His performance kept the energy high while also creating moments of reflection, proving his lasting impact as an artist and headliner.
The festival closed in spectacular fashion with Dom Dolla, who delivered an unforgettable final set that pushed the night to its peak. From the first drop to the final track, the energy was unmatched. Fireworks exploded above the stage as he played his viral hits, sending the crowd into full celebration mode. The atmosphere was chaotic in the best way, sweaty, euphoric and filled with people dancing like they did not want the night to end. It was the ultimate closing set and the perfect way to wrap up the festival.
Beyond the performances, Arena Joondalup proved to be an excellent venue for an event of this scale. Spacious, well organised and easy to navigate, it allowed the crowd and energy to flow freely throughout the night. The layout supported multiple stages without feeling overwhelming, enhancing both the comfort and excitement of the experience.
Wildlands 2026 was more than just a lineup of big names. It was a perfectly timed summer night defined by warmth, music and a crowd that brought the festival to life. From sunset sets to fireworks under the night sky, it was an experience that will linger long after the music faded.
Review by Molly Elliot
Photography by Linda Dunjey
Notion
sim0ne
Kid Cudi
Kettama
Addison Rae
Supplied by Gabrielle Clement @gxbriellemxry
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