Category: Festivals

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Queensland’s Red Deer Fest Back

After a one-year hiatus, Red Deer Fest is back in Queensland, bigger and brighter than ever. This year’s event will see Frenzal Rhomb, Andy Bull, Salmonella Dub Soundsystem, Ayla, Hey Geronimo, and heaps more taking over the natural amphitheatre beneath the D’Aguilar range in the Samford Valley.

This is a festival that loves being different. Tickets are strictly limited to create an intimate atmosphere, there are food and market stalls, and camping is encouraged. If you do have your heart set on a night under the stars, be warned though. Organisers have reduced the number of camping tickets available to ensure this beautiful site stays at its best.

Red Deer Fest hits Mt Sampson on October 3. Tickets are available now from the festival website.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

San Cisco, Stonefield, and More Play Port Macquarie’s New Memory Lane Festival

Port Macquarie is a lovely place but the residents are a bit starved for live music. The occasional big name act plays The Glasshouse or the local pubs, but most often the people of Port have to make the long drive to Newcastle to see their favourite bands. So I was thrilled to see that Port’s getting a brand new festival, called Memory Lane, this October.

The line-up’s awesome, with San Cisco, Patrick James, Stonefield, and Zefereli playing alongside local heroes Bear in a Man Suit, Plebeian Groove, and Withernecks. There’s also going to be plenty of awesome food on sale and heaps more.

The event welcomes music lovers of all ages, and it’s entirely drug and alcohol free so parents can breathe easy. Something tells me we’re going to see plenty of young things blowing off steam before their end-of-year exams.

Memory Lane hits the laneway behind Port Central on October 18 between noon and 7 pm. Tickets go on sale tomorrow from Oztix.

Image source: MJR Presents

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Yours & Owls Gets an Upgrade

Wollongong’s annual Yours & Owls Music & Arts Festival is even bigger than ever this year. It’ll be run over two days, rather than just one as in previous years, and when you see the line-up you’ll understand why.

This year the festival will play host to Ash Grunwad, The Preatures, Cloud Control, The Smith Street Band, Saskwatchm and heaps more. There’ll also be a couple of film screenings, DJs, art installations, a twilight food market, and a giant birthday cake to commemorate the festival’s fifth year.

Yours & Owls Music & Arts Festival hits Wollongong’s Stuart Park on October 2 and 3. Tickets are available now through Moshtix.

Image used with permission from Habit Music Company

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Discover Something New at Emerge in the West Festival

Enjoy some great music, fashion, and culture for free at the Emerge in the West 2015 festival, which will take over Footscray’s Nicholson Street on May 16.

The event will have two stages showcasing the talents of emerging musicians, artists, circus performers, dancers, and fashion designers. These will be complemented by craft workshops, foodie experiences, and heaps more.

Since this is a music blog it’s worth noting what’s in store on the musical front. There’s truly something for everyone with Ethio-jazz act The Lalibelas featuring Nhatty Man, digital reggae band SKAAKI, the Somali Peace Band, and hip hop duo Royalty Noise all on the bill.

Emerge in the West runs from 1 to 7 pm on Saturday May 16. Entry is completely free, so there’s no excuse not to experience something new and support this great arts event.

Image used with permission from Multicultural Arts Victoria

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Phil Jamieson Hosts Port Macquarie Fundraising Festival

Grinspoon frontman Phil Jamieson has created the Magic Castle Festival, a new music festival in Port Macquarie. The event looks to raise money for local legend and Phil’s friend Lucas “Fruge” Farrugia, who was severely injured in a motorcycle accident later this year.

“To know Fruge is to love him, a generous soul with a raucous sense of humour, complete with many unforgivable tattoos,” Phil explained. “This accident put his loved ones in deep shock, and we just want to alleviate the financial burden of recovery so he can concentrate on the physical challenges, making Magic Castle a not-for-profit event, with all proceeds being directed to Fruge’s medical fund.”

Phil will host the event and introduce crowds to an eclectic mix of artists including three-piece garage band Royal Chant, punk rockers Pelican Itch, hip hop duo Korzdahavoc, and special guest DJs Healey and Starky. The bands will be complemented by taste dishes from XS and Fish Face Taco.

The Magic Castle Festival hits Port Macquarie’s Black Duck Brewery on April 11. Tickets are strictly limited and available from Oztix for $25 plus booking fee.

Image used with permission from RAWR Music

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

John Butler Trio, The Jezabels Headline Big Pineapple Music Festival

I thought that the Big Pineapple was just a place for tourists to snap a few photos. But it turns out it’s also been hosting a sold-out music festival for the last couple of years. It’s little wonder the event’s so popular when organisers can put together a lineup featuring the John Butler Trio, The Jezabels, Thundamentals, Violent Soho, Jebadiah, and helps more.

This year it’s got a brand new site with space for 2500 people to camp, three stages, and plenty of car parking.

“We were given the opportunity to move to the land just across the road, which now gives us a stunning panoramic view to main stage area,” explained festival organiser Mark Pico. “We also gained two more beautiful areas for our smaller stages, double the site space, and the camping is now very close by – bringing the whole festival together.”

The third annual Big Pineapple Music Festival hits Nambour on May 30. Early-bird tickets go on sale tomorrow from the festival website for the bargain price of just $69.95 plus booking fees.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Celebrate NYE on the Coast at Lost Paradise

Mountain Sounds isn’t the only festival to call the Central Coast home. Music lovers looking for New Year’s plans may enjoy checking out Lost Paradise, a three-day festival held in the stunning Glenworth Valley. People may remember this was the site of the old Peats Ridge music festival, so it’s great to see it getting some use as a music venue once again.

The line-up’s already getting interesting, with Boy and Bear, Ball Park Music, The Preatures, Sylvan Esso, Allday, and heaps more already announced.

Lost Paradise is billing itself as a three-day boutique camping festival, although with tepees, bell tents, caravans, and yurts it’s a lot more posh than the camping you’ll do at most events of this ilk. It’s also family-friendly, with a circus and Kid’s Paradise zone, as well as a crèche and night-time nannies available for parents who want to check out the bands while their little ones play. Add in pop-up dining, Shambala yoga and healing, and heaps more, and you’ve got a music festival that dares to be different.

Lost Paradise takes over Glenworth Valley from December 30 to January 1.

Image used with permission from Finely Tuned

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Mountain Sounds Offers a Difference Kind of Festival Experience

I might be a little biased but I think I live in a pretty spectacular part of the world. If you’ve never experienced it, I suggest loading up your car and road tripping for the second annual Mountain Sounds Festival next February.

It’s in the beautiful Mount Penang Parklands and features an excitingly diverse line-up of talent such as The Kite String Tangle, The Griswolds, The Jungle Giants, SAFIA, Tkay Maidza, and the Central Coast’s own Daniel Lee Kendall.

Mountain Sounds isn’t your run-of-the-mill festival with pushy crowds full of posers and overpriced beer. Its focus on sustainability, chilled out atmosphere, and stunning surrounds helps set it apart.

Day passes are available, but I suggest really taking in all this spot has to offer and camping out. Mountain Sounds hits Mount Penang Parklands in Kariong on February 21, 2015.

Image used with permission from Positive Feedback

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Get Stranded This G20 Holiday

Let’s face it. Once the G20 Summit hits Brisbane, locals are going to want to get as far from the CDB as they can. So why not South Stradbroke Island? This picturesque spot is hosting the second round of the Stranded Festival on November 14, the G20 public holiday.

The organisers have assembled an impressive line-up including Golden Features, Tkay Maidza, The Kite String Tangle, KLP, Taiki Nulight, Doorly, and many more acts that are infinitely more entertaining than the bulk of the world’s leaders.

Tickets, which include the boat ride from Marina Mirage on the Gold Coast to the Straddy, are available now from Moshtix.

Image used with permission from Mucho Bravado

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Get Set for Island Vibe

All the gloomy weather we’re seeing in the Eastern states makes a trip to Stradbroke Island for the annual Island Vibe Festival this October even more enticing. Of course this year’s lineup is stellar, with Brit Finlay Quaye performing alongside our own King Tide, Black Jesus Experience, Toothfaeries, Bullhorn, and PAUA. Note that this is only the first announcement too, so things are going to get even bigger.

Island Vibe is now in its ninth year and it shows no signs of slowing down. As well as the incredible reggae and roots acts, crowds will be treated to circus performances, cabaret, art displays and workshops, and plenty of fun activities for the kids. To coincide with this year’s theme of ocean conservation there’ll also be a new eco tent.

Island Vibe hits Minjerribah, Stradbroke Island from October 31 to November 2. Tickets are on sale now from Rudekat Records.

Image used with permission from Heapsaflash