With 15 events across 7 days, Coast Twist offered a welcome respite from the previous two years of COVID, rain, and bad news stories. The closing ‘Coastie Carnie Fair Day’ attracted just over 9,000 people in itself. This is an almost 40 per cent increase in audience from the initial pilot festival, which attracted more than 6,500 people.

Coastal Twist’s audience was made up of 50 per cent Central Coast attendees and an equal 50 per cent attendees from across regional New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, ACT, Queensland, Tasmania and South Australia. All of the festival’s ticketed events were completely sold out, leaving no room for door sales.

“All cultures, all gender expressions, all abilities, ages, shapes and sizes – this is who we are, Coastal Twist Festival is a community-built festival based on all of us celebrating the diversity that is life together - everyone can relate to that and it is our hope that everyone can celebrate it!” Festival Director Glitta Supernova says.

“Central Coast has a cheeky, fun, open heart that’s been fighting for a very long time to have its own unique identity, those shiny expensive outside/outsourced campaigns and multigenerational stronghold over who will be visible and participate in local community life and who cannot no longer flies as communities connect, build voice and work together for a sustainable and equitable future, a happier, healthier and more welcoming Central Coast.”

“As much as this is a celebration, what’s come out of the week is stories of healing.”

As part of their sets, many of Coastal Twist’s live acts performed new or unreleased songs. Naughty Noodle Intern and Central Coast Youth Of The Year Jack Williams was announced as the newest member of the House Of Slé: the Sydney-based artist collective and ballroom house.

Coastal Twist 2022 took place from 27 September-3 October.