Category: Festivals

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

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Paul Dempsey Headlines Glenelg’s New Blues Festival

Paul Dempsey will headline Follow the Sun Festival, a brand new festival in the picturesque South Australian town of Glenelg. The one-day blues and roots event will also feature performances by Bonjah, Dallas Frasca, Benjalu, Lyall Moloney, and more.

Event organisers are aiming to create a backyard BBQ vibe with a relaxed atmosphere, local wines, and first class food.

“Follow The Sun festival will be a great opportunity to showcase Glenelg. Some outstanding Aussie music talent and a few drinks with your mates. What could be better?” explained event founder David Elmes. “It will almost be like a party in your own backyard. I am really excited for Follow The Sun and to create something unique for the bay.”

Tickets are available from Oztix now.

Image used with permission from 123 Agency

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Melbourne Ska Orchestra Ready for World Tour

I was so sad to hear of the recent axing of the ABC’s rebooted Spicks and Specks. Sure it took a little while for Josh, Ella, and Adam to settle in to the chairs. However, I felt that the essence of the show remained that same, and for that reason it’s a shame more people didn’t tune in.

Watching the show I was delighted at so many of those quirky acts that chose to transform hits for “Look What They’ve Done to My Song Ma.” The Melbourne Ska Orchestra was one of those bands that blew my mind, so I’m thrilled to see they’re moving on to bigger and better things.

The 25-piece have played shows all over Australia supporting the release of their debut album, and now they’re preparing to take it to the world. Their originals and surprising ska covers of classics like the Get Smart theme are sure to win over music lovers at high-profile events like Glastonbury and the Montreal Jazz Festival. Rest assured readers in other parts of the world, you don’t want to miss this truly original act.

26 June 2014 – The Forge, Camden, London
27 & 28 June 2014 – Glastonbury Festival
30 June & 1 & 2 July 2014 – Montreal Jazz Festival, Montreal
3 July 2014 – Festival D’ete, Quebec City
4 July 2014 – Yonge, Dundas Square, Toronto
5 July 2014 – Northern Lights Festival Boreal, Ontario

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Dungog Festival Comes to the Hunter

Good music, film, food, and wine will come together this August at the first annual Dungog Festival. From August 28 to 31, a full line-up of entertainment will be showcased in the Upper Hunter.

“I’m delighted to be here on behalf of the NSW Government for the launch of the new Dungog Festival,” George Souris, Member for Upper Hunter, said at official announcement. “The Government is committed to supporting the creative industries and the Australian film industry, as well as fostering great regional events that bring so much to the local community. With this in mind, we have entered into a partnership with the Dungog Arts Foundation to support The Dungog Festival for the next three years, through our tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.”

Details are a little thin on the ground at this point, but the strong sense of community spirit and picturesque location should help make the Dungog Festival something special. The event is expected to bring 3,000 visitors to the area, and inject around $3.6 million into the local economy.

Early bird tickets will be available from June 10 from the Dungog Festival website.

Image used with permission from Secret Service Public Relations

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Pokey LaFarge Announces First Australian Shows

They don’t make musicians like Pokey LaFarge anymore. This American musician, songwriter, bandleader, and all-round entertainer takes us back to a time when swing, bluegrass, country, and jazz were all over the radio. And with a self-titled, full-length album now in stores, he’s making his first visit to Australia.

It might be a little old-timey for modern tastes, but listen to it with an open mind and you’ll discover a performer that really knows his stuff.

He’s also got one of the best bands that I’ve ever seen. Check out this video of them performing “Sadie Green” at the recent Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion for proof.

If you like what you see, make sure you grab a ticket for one of Pokey’s upcoming Aussie shows.

7 & 8 March 2014 – Port Fairy Folk Music Festival, Port Fairy
9 & 10 March 2014 – WOMADelaide, Botanic Park, Adelaide
12 March 2014 – The Corner Hotel, Melbourne
13 March 2014 – The Basement, Sydney

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Washington and The Rubens Headline Lost Picnic

If you’re tired of all of those crowded, sweaty summer festivals, then you should definitely check out the much more elegant Lost Picnic. With its talented local musicians, gourmet food, and lush backdrop of Sydney’s Centennial Park, this is a festival with a difference.

The first year is set to be something special with entertainment from Megan Washington, The Rubens, Emma Louise, Dustin Tebbutt, and Sons of the East. Picnic hampers will also be available from the talented chefs behind some of Sydney’s best restaurants including Rushcutters and Icebergs Dining Room and Bar.

“We’ve grown up organising successful dance events in Sydney and although this will always be a passion of ours, we have evolved and we want our events to evolve with us,” explained Simon Beckingham, who’s organising the event along with his partner in crime, Wade Cawood. “Growing up in the UK festival scene, we know Sydney is looking for the next generation in music events. Lost Picnic is exactly that, a boutique-style event that not only supports local musical talent but local restaurants, to offer a completely different experience to the Sydney entertainment calendar.”

Lost Picnic hit Centennial Park on 23 March 2014. Tickets and picnic hampers are available to pre-order now from the Lost Picnic website.

Image used with permission from Lost Picnic

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Peninsula Picnic Sounds Incredible

I’m not really a festivals kind of person. I can’t think of anything worse than fighting through crowds, enduring a bunch of acts that only the cool kids like, and paying too much money for lukewarm beer. But the Peninsula Picnic has caught my attention. It sounds like my kind of festival, and I wish I was closer to the Mornington Peninsula so I could get along.

The Peninsula Picnic is all about three of my favorite things: good music, good food, and good wine. The musical line-up is stellar, with The Waifs, Paul Dempsey, The Pierce Brothers, Tinpan Orange, and Hayden Calnin all on the bill. Ian Curley, and the teams from Terre, Montalto, Pope Joan, The Long Table Restaurant, Dee’s Kitchen, DOC Mornington, and Terminus at Flinders Hotel will take care of the food.

The Peninsula Picnic hits the Mornington Racecourse on March 29. Tickets are on sale now from Ticketek.

Image used with permission from Secret Service Public Relations