Category: Festivals

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Save the Dates for Leaps and Bounds Festival

The music scene tends to get a bit quiet over winter, as more people decide to stay home rugged up than getting out to the pubs and clubs supporting live acts. The City of Yarra fights against our hibernation though with its annual Leaps and Bounds Festival, now in its fifth year.

Organisers recently made the first program announcement, and it’s already shaping up to be something special. Feast your eyes upon this:

  • Acid Country PBS106.7FM – LIVE TO AIR with Rich Davies, Ayleen O’Hanlon, Brooke Russell and The Mean Reds, and Miles and Simone at The Gem
  • A Moment In Time: The North Fitzroy Beat (Little Bands) Scene: Featuring Primitive Calculators, Use No Hooks, Hot To Rot at The Tote
  • Blake Scott of The Peep Tempel at LongPlay
  • Blues n’ Bounds every night at The Evelyn Hotel, Catfish, Rainbow Hotel, Rooks Return, Labor In Vain, Old Bar and Checkerboard Lounge
  • Ed Kuepper “(I’M) STRANDED” – 40 YEARS ON by request show and exclusive in conversation talk at The Melba Spiegeltent
  • friendships vs. HABITS at The Nightcat
  • GL and more at The Corner Hotel
  • Ollie Olsen’s Class Of 2018 with Vacuum, Kollaps & Simon Karis & Ollie Olsen at The Tote Upstairs
  • Paint To Improv: Featuring Taipan Tiger Girls, Zond & No Sister at The Evelyn Hotel
  • Persecution Blues film screening (including a 2008 live set from Eddy Current Suppression Ring) at The Tote
  • Smith Street Dreaming Street Festival at the corner of Stanley & Smith Street, Collingwood
  • Some Velvet Nights with Broads, Amarillo, The Darling Downs, Mikelangelo By Request, Amaya Laucirica, Lost Ragas Duo, Jess Parker & The Troubled Waters, and Dave Graney By Request at Some Velvet Morning
  • The Letter String Quartet at The Melba Spielgeltent
  • The Professional Development Program at The Rainbow Hotel and The Melba Spiegeltent
  • The Push Pop Up Shop at Collarts Brunswick St. Campus
  • Yarra’s Women Of Country with Freya Josephine Hollick, Jemma Nicole, Jemma Rowlands, Sue Ray, Brooke Russell & the Mean Reds, Mick Thomas & The Roving Commission’s newest recruit Ayleen O’Hanlon at The Standard Hotel
  • Fee B Squared’s Class Of 2018 with Shrimpwitch + more TBA at The Gasometer
  • The Strange World of Library Music with Joe Brnadic, James Pianta, and David Rietmen at The Fitzroy Town Hall
  • An Otherwise Quiet Room with Mandy Connell and more at The Yarra Hotel
  • I’ve Been Everywhere Gypsy Carnivale with The Band Who Knew Too Much at The Melba Spiegeltent
  • Front Bar Pub n’ Grub Crawl across various venues
  • Hungry Ghosts (Reformation Show) with Ninety Nine at The Gasometer
  • Dream On Dreamer All Ages Matinee Show at The Evelyn Hotel
  • The Hard-Ons with Miss Destiny & Tankerville at The Old Bar
  • New War + Rites Wild at The Grace Darling Hotel
  • Riflebirds at The Rochester Hotel
  • The Braves with lost Talk and more TBA at The Yarra Hotel
  • Rich Davies & The Low Road at Labour In Vain
  • Ramshackle Army plus special guests at The Bendigo Hotel
  • Slow Dissolve at The Fitzroy Pinnacle
  • The Fck Ups + The Second Sex at Woody’s At Forrester’s Hall
  • The Hitmen + The Pro Tools at The Tote
  • The Stu Thomas Paradox at Labour In Vain
  • Uncomfortable Science with Las Mar and Special Guests at Bar Open
  • Zockapilli with The Scraggers at Woody’s Bar

Surely there’s something to take your fancy in all that! And remember, this is only the first announcement. This event is only going to get bigger. The Leaps and Bounds Festival takes place at venues in Fitzroy, Collingwood, Richmond, Abbotsford, North Carlton, Clifton Hill, and North Fitzroy from July 13 to 23.  All dates, times, and ticket information can be found on The Leaps and Bounds Festival website.

Image used with permission from This Much Talent

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Save the Date for Red Deer

Brisbane’s favourite BYO “booze and couch” event, the Red Deer Music & Arts Festival, is gearing up for a big seventh year this October.

There’s bound to be a little Bowie influence in this year’s Space Oddity theme. With a third stage celebrating the talents of regional and emerging artists, there’ll also be more live music than ever. The line-up will be announced in a month or so, but with acts like Art vs Science, The Grates, Regurgitator, and Clare Bowditch playing in previous years you know it’ll be good. You’ll also see unique art installations and an immersive camping experience. I’m not a camper, but that sounds just interesting enough to change my stance.

“Red Deer is basically a house party at your mate’s place, except your mate lives on 40 acres of pristine grazing land beneath the rolling hills of the D’Aguilar Range,” explained festival co-founder Bas Pelly. “Instead of listening to an awful playlist on your mate’s iPod, you’ll boogie to an exciting and eclectic mix of emerging acts from around the country while you sip your BYO bevvie of choice, on your BYO couch, while you ponder which food truck’s menu you’ll explore first.

The Red Deer Music & Arts Festival hits Mount Samson on Saturday October 14. Tickets are on sale now through Eventbrite.

Image used with permission from Pompadour PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ben Lee, Carlotta, and More Heading to Port Douglas Carnivale

I swear no sooner I’m back from a holiday I’m itching to go on another one. If I could convince my husband to get away again, a trip to the Port Douglas Carnivale in Tropical North Queensland next month would be high on my list.

Now in its 23rd year, the family-friendly event continues to attract impressive musical talent like this year’s headliners Ben Lee, Carlotta, Leanne Tennant, and Hillbilly Goats. Other highlights include the Macrossan Street Parade, the Family Beach Day, performances from theatrical troupe La Soiree, and the Tropic Destinations Photographic Exhibition.

Port Douglas Carnivale runs from May 26 to 28. Learn more about this vibrant event at the Port Douglas Carnivale website.

Image used with permission from Encore PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Missy Higgins and Justine Clarke Announced for 2017 Barunga Festival

One of Australia’s most beloved and eclectic cultural events, the Barunga Festival, has announced its 2017 program. Missy Higgins, Bunna Laurie, Skinnyfish Sound System, and Justine Clarke will all take the stage during the three-day celebration. In addition, there are opportunities to learn traditional dance, spear throwing, weaving, damper making, and how to play the didgeridoo.
Barunga is an Indigenous word for “a happy place for families to live,” and that’s exactly what this event represents. Parents can breathe easy bringing their kids, knowing the event is 100 percent drug, alcohol, and smoke free. More than 4,000 people attend every year to hear some amazing music, learn more about the nation’s Indigenous culture, and discover all the delights of the Katherine region.

The Barunga Festival runs from June 9 to 11. Tickets are available now from Moshtix.

Image used with permission from SGC Media

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Boy & Bear Headlines Second Ever Sea N Sound

Sea N Sound has gotten bigger and better for its second year, with an amazing line-up of local musical talent including Boy & Bear, Busby Marou, Tijuana Cartel, and heaps more.

Add in some impressive local seafood and top-notch craft beer and you’ve got a great recipe for a day out. Last year 2,000 people turned out so event organisers have upgraded the space to hold 3,000. You can expect it to sell out, so don’t delay getting your tickets.

It all happens outside The Wharf Tavern in Mooloolaba on Saturday June 10. Tickets are on sale now through Moshtix.

Image used with permission from Call & Response

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jazz Party Knocks It Out of the Park With “Talking in Your Sleep”

Melbourne band Jazz Party has taken me back to a 1930s speakeasy with the soulful new single “Talking In Your Sleep.”

The song is the perfect combination of soul and jazz, with on-point vocals from Loretta Miller and an irresistible old school feel. I love the way it builds from this demure little thing to a heartbreaking climax. You just try to resist this.

If you like what you hear, make sure you get out and see Jazz Party launching the single with shows around Victoria this month.

11 March 2017 – Golden Plains Festival, Meredith
24 March 2017 – Castlemaine State Festival, Castlemaine
31 March 2017 – Howler, Brunswick
1 April 2017 – By the Meadow, Bambra

Image used with permission from This Much Talent

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Montaigne Turns Superhero in “What You Mean to Me” Video

Montaigne shows why she was named this year’s breakthrough artist at the ARIA Awards, with another incredible single, “What You Mean to Me.” She truly is one of the most fascinating artists on the music scene at the moment, with a natural indie pop sensibility and one of the most interesting voices I’ve heard in some time.

The clip, directed by Guy Franklin and John Gavin, sees Montaigne realising her superhero fantasies.

“Guy Franklin and Pixel, have always been able to extract what’s in my heart and put it on screen! Shooting this video helped me realise my true dream: to become a parkour master,” she gushed in a press release. “My body double recently shot as stuntman on Ghost In The Shell. For the clip we put my face on his body, he got his hair shaved to my cut and everything! In the end, I got to be the video game hero I’ve always wanted to be. I want to properly be able to do what a game protagonist does physically now though. #Strongtaine2k17.”

Montaigne will pop up at the following festivals this summer.

27-29 December 2016 – Southbound, Busselton
28 December 2016 – 1 January 2017 – Beyond the Valley, Gippsland Parklands
29-31 December 2016 – Lost Paradise, Glenworth Valley

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Fat Freddy’s Drop Playing Aussie Festivals

Those funky fellows from Fat Freddy’s Drop will return to Australia for the festival season.

We’re the latest stop for the Kiwi band, who are still promoting their fourth studio album, BAYS. That album features the incredible new single “Fish in the Sea.” While the song references the poetry of Pushkin, the clip is inspired by Maori and Polynesian mythology.

Make sure you don’t miss Fat Freddy’s Drop’s set at the following festivals.

29 December 2016 – Falls Festival, Lorne
30 December 2016 – Falls Festival, Marion Bay, Tasmania
31 December 2016 – Lost Paradise, Glenworth Valley
2 January 2017 – Falls Festival, Byron Bay

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Pleasure Garden Ready to Charm Melbourne

If you thought summer festivals were starting to feel a little same-same, then you’ll want to head to the Pleasure Garden next month. This is a game changer, with roving performers like a giant hairy snail, carnies performing stunts, and full-scale fantasy models from General Zodd adding to the fun.

Of course there’s also music, with top quality performers like The Cat Empire, Blue King Brown, Dub FX, and Tash Sultana all on the bill. And since it’s in Melbourne, you know the food is going to be amazing. The folks from 400 Gradi, Vegilicious, Dos Diablos, and Kombi Burger will all sell their wares on the day.

It’s all happening on December 10 at Catani Gardens on the St Kilda Foreshore. Get your tickets from the Pleasure Garden website.

Image used with permission from Remedy PR

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Pleasure Garden Ready to Bloom in St Kilda

The Cat Empire, Tash Sultana, The Correspondents, and Dub FX are among the big names set to entertain crowds at the first ever The Pleasure Garden Festival in St Kilda this December.

Much more than just another music festival, The Pleasure Garden aims to be an immersive creative arts experience, with roving theatrical performances, art installations, carnival rides, and plenty of shady places for kicking back with your friends.

The Pleasure Garden Festival hits Catani Gardens on St Kilda’s foreshore on December 10. Discounted early bird tickets are available until the end of the month. Head to The Pleasure Garden Festival website to get yours.