More than 20,000 partygoers came to Sydney's Olympic Park for hardstyle rave Epik on Saturday during a fierce heat wave.
The real stars of the show, however, were not the headline acts, but the daring festival goers who braved the scorching 42 degrees Celsius heat in outfits that could only be described as 'barely there'.
The audience, dressed in vibrant, minimalist attire, also showed off the latest festival must-haves: fanny packs and crossbody bags, a fashion trend lovingly embraced by the eshays and which has now gone mainstream.
The resurrection of the fanny pack, once relegated to the fashion graveyard, now appears to have found new life as an essential part of the Aussies festival 'uniform'.
Festival-goers say the bag is becoming increasingly popular as it is small enough not to get in the way of other partygoers and large enough to hold essentials such as phones, cash, cards, vapes and cigarettes.
A young Aussie was pictured with a fanny pack on her arm
Partygoers were spotted with an accessory much loved by eshays: the crossbody bag
Festival-goers say the bag is becoming increasingly popular as it is small enough not to get in the way of other partygoers and large enough to hold essentials such as phones, cash, cards, vapes and cigarettes.
NSW Health Minister Ryan Park says four people have been hospitalized after taking drugs at the festival.
“I can report that there have been four transfers to hospitals from the Epik music festival,” Park said at a press conference in Wollongong on Sunday.
'These people are in a critical but stable condition. Their condition appears to be caused by drug use and drug-related problems.”
It comes as the debate over pill testing continues, after two men in their 20s died of suspected overdoses after attending the Knockout Festival on September 30, which was held in the same arena where the Epik festival took place.
Pill testing involves analyzing illegal drugs to find out what potentially harmful substances are present.
There has long been talk of a push to introduce pill testing at festivals, nightclubs and similar venues, but the government has steadfastly rejected these calls.
Mr Chipp told Ny Breaking Australia the tests could put an end to the ongoing tragedy of young deaths at festivals.
The humble fanny pack has made a surprising comeback and resurgence in popularity in recent years, as it became a permanent part of the 'uniform' and favorite accessory of festival goers
Young and energetic ravers wore bold, colorful and barely there outfits, clad in fanny packs as they braved the 42 degree Celsius heat in Homebush at the electronic dance festival
It's amazing how much fits in one small bag…
“The ongoing tragedies that are occurring due to the loss of young people using pills can easily be stopped if the pills are vetted,” he said.
'The government must take care of the health of its citizens. They know that hundreds or thousands of Australians will use drugs, some with dangerous substances, but their deliberate refusal to introduce pill testing makes them responsible for the tragedies.
'They need to stop burying their heads in the sand and do something. They are resigned to this ongoing tragedy and I am speaking directly to Dominic Perrottet.
“The government has a condemnatory attitude towards drug users and continues to take the politically tangible step.”
A young Australian opted for a camouflage fanny pack
Hundreds of ravers at Epik were seen sporting the bag trend, strapping them to their hips or across the front of their bodies to keep their belongings in view at all times
Raver spotted Homebush arriving for the electronic dance festival wearing shorts, sneakers, a hat and a crossbody bag
Partygoers arrive at hardstyle rave Epik, with their hips hanging over their bodies
The crossbody bag, also called a fanny pack and fanny pack in the US, was a must-have accessory of the 1980s and nightwear, but quickly fell out of fashion before making a resurgence in recent years.
