Category: Festivals

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

New Names Added to Falls Line-Up

The line-up for this year’s Falls Music & Arts Festival is looking even more irresistible with the latest round of announcements.

Amongst the latest international additions are old-school soul man Aloe Blacc, unhinged American electro-dance wiz Dan Deacon, quirky Brits The Kooks, French popsters Nouvelle Vague, and Young MC. Yes that Young MC, of “Bust a Move” fame. I’m not sure he’ll be able to entertain the crowds much beyond that 90s gem, but I’m loving the novelty factor.

The shows will also mark the homecoming of Aussie songbird Missy Higgins. She’ll play alongside other recently announced local talent including Emma Louise, Pnau, and the hilarious Josh Thomas.

Add in all the other already announced names, including Arctic Monkeys, Fleet Foxes, Josh Pyke, The Jezabels, and Arj Barker and you’ve got an incredible way to ring in the New Year.

They’ll all play the all ages event in Marion Bay, Tasmania from December 29 to 31 and the adults only version in Lorne, Victoria from December 28 to 31. To secure your possie, make sure you add your name to the ticket ballot on the Falls Festival website before August 5. The majority of tickets will be distributed amongst these Falls die-hards before the general sale on August 17.

Image used with permission from Two Fish Out of Water

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Wollongong Goes Retro with 80s Music Fest

Wollongong’s never really had a big music festival, but it’s saved up something special for its first. From October 28 to 30 Kembla Grange will embrace all things retro with the 80s Rewind Music Festival.

The bill is out of this world, with international acts like The Human League, Kool & The Gang, Sister Sledge, Bananarama, Nik Kershaw, Tony Hadley of Spandau Ballet, and Go West all taking part. There’ll be a strong local presence too with Ross Wilson, Mental as Anything, John Paul Young, and Pseudo Echo all taking part. Tickets go on sale on July 25 from Moshtix.

Needless to say, I just wish it didn’t clash with Jazz in the Vines! Side shows anyone?

Image source: Andy Mac @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Naughty by Nature and The Living End for Fat as Butter

We haven’t even seen the full line-up announcement yet, but this year’s Fat As Butter Festival is already shaping up to be pretty spectacular. How many other opportunities do you have to catch American hip hop legends Naughty by Nature and our own Living End on the same stage?

Fat as Butter will take over Newcastle’s Camp Shortland on October 22. Those early leaks have me salivating to see who else will make the complete line-up when it’s announced on July 25. If you’re keen for tickets I suggest signing up for the presale list through the Fat as Butter website. Anyone on that list can score tickets on August 1, two full days before the general public, and five lucky eager beavers will win a VIP pass!

Image source: Fat as Butter website

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Crystal Castles, Josh Pyke Join Falls Festival Bill

This year’s Falls Festival is shaping up to be something pretty special, with Crystal Castles, J Mascis, Josh Pyke, and Papa vs Pretty, DJ Yoda, and Unknown Mortal Orchestra all recent additions to the bill.

The latest group of local and international acts joins already announced headliners Arctic Monkeys, Fleet Foes, The Jezabels, Easy Star All Stars, and Arj Barker. They’ll all play the all ages event in Marion Bay, Tasmania from December 29 to 31 and the adults only version in Lorne, Victoria from December 28 to 31. What a way to ring in the New Year, right?

If the announced acts excite you, make sure you add your name to the ticket ballot on the Falls Festival website before August 5. The majority of tickets will be distributed amongst these Falls enthusiasts before the general sale on August 17.

Image used with permission from Two Fish Out of Water

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

MC Chali 2na Back for Island Vibe Festival

The Island Vibe Festival is heading back to Stradbroke Island this October long weekend for another big year.

After he wowed crowds in 2009 former Jurassic 5 and Ozomatli star MC Chali 2na has been announced as this year’s headliner. He’ll join first class local talents Blue King Brown, Dubmarine, Bobby Alu, Opiuo, Grace Barbe from the Seychelles, and heaps more.

Island Vibe is a music festival with a difference thanks to its magnificent beachside location and focus on culture and the environment. Check it out from October 28 to 30. Fans can enjoy discounted early bird tickets through the Rudekat Records website now.

Image used with permission from Heapsaflash

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

John Butler Trio Headline Coaster

Now in its fourth year, Central Coast’s fledgling music festival appears to be going from strength to strength. John Butler Trio are heading up an all-Australian line-up for this year’s event at Gosford Showgrounds.

They’ll join hometown heroes Something with Numbers and One Dollar Short, Jebediah, Little Red, The Potbelleez, Andy Bull, and heaps more. The festival’s Tomorrow Land dance quarter will also return with Ajax, Nina Las Vegas, Purple Sneakers DJs, and Wolfpack.

Coaster will hit Gosford Showgrounds on September 17. Tickets will be available from June 23 from the Coaster website, Oztix, and a variety of retailers including ESS Boardstore in Erina, Network Communications in Lake Haven, and the Newcastle Rock Shop.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sydney Celebrates Blues & Roots with Hawkesbury Festival

Who needs Byron Bay or Fremantle? Sydney’s holding its own with its own blues and roots festival this October.

OK, so there’s no Bob Dylan, no BB King, and no Elvis Costello, but the predominantly local artists who have made the bill are first class. Jeff Lang, Ash Grunwald, and The Tea Party’s Jeff Martin are amongst the acts already announced, and there’s more to come when the second crop are named on July 1.

The bands will take over restaurants, cafes, and hotels in the picturesque Hawkesbury River region from October 28 to 30. Discounted early bird three-day passes are currently available for $119 from the Sydney Blues and Roots festival website. It sounds like an excellent opportunity for a road trip to me!

Image used with permission from Revolutions per Minute

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Wollombi Music Festival Rocks The Hunter Valley

With the success of the Day on the Green shows and the enduring Jazz in the Vines festival, folks are starting to realize the beauty of getting out of the big city and seeing a show in more intimate, natural surrounds. I know I’ll always choose one of these organic ampitheatres over a cold, impersonal entertainment center so I was thrilled to learn of another event in The Valley.

The Wollombi Music Festival will hit the region on Saturday September 17. Now in its second year, the event has grown to feature a second intimate stage inside its Chai Tent, more bands, and more market stalls. Watussi, Benjalu, Rachael Brady, and local supergroup Wollombi Radio are all part of this year’s eclectic lineup.

You probably won’t be in any hurry to return to the big smoke, so it’s impressive that the entry to the VIP camping area is included with all tickets. They only cost $80 a piece too (or $100 on the day), so you’ll see real value even if you don’t plan on pitching a tent. And if you just don’t want to rough it there are also plenty of hotels and bed and breakfasts in the local area.

There are just 500 tickets available to ensure the event stays intimate and personal, so don’t delay in getting yours from the Wollombi Music Festival website.

Image used with permission from Wollombi Music Festival

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Van Halen and Alice Cooper Join Soundwave Revolution

As if the line-up for Soundwave Revolution wasn’t already big enough, organisers have a few more big names to the bill. Van Halen and Alice Cooper will bring some much needed old-school cred to proceedings.

The presence of both artists is sure to excite fans. This is the first time David Lee Roth has performed with his Van Halen bandmates in Oz, and Alice is set to showcase his Welcome Two My Nightmare album. I’m crossing my fingers for some side shows, as I have a feeling the Soundwave set isn’t going to be enough for me!

Hole, Bad Religion, Danzig, and Sisters of Mercy are also amongst the new additions to the bill. They’ll join Dashboard Confessional, Panic! At the Disco, The Used, Face to Face, Yellowcard and a bunch of other acts on this travelling festival tour.

No doubt all those new announcements are going to escalate the frenzy when tickets go on sale on June 2.

24 September 2011 – Brisbane
25 September 2011 – Sydney
30 September 2011 – Melbourne
1 October 2011 – Adelaide
3 October 2011 – Perth

Image source: Samboob @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Cat Empire Headline The Hunter’s Funk N Grooves Festival

The Cat Empire will ensure things are extra funky at this year’s annual Funk N Grooves festival.

The ultimate Aussie party band will join Amy Meredith, Hungry Kids from Hungary, Ash Grunwald, King Tide, at Tyrell’s Vineyard in the Hunter Valley on September 10. The bill is one of the strongest I’ve seen in recent years as it seems to be getting back to that funky, groovy vibe I first fell in love with. Add in one of the most gorgeous natural settings going and you’ve got the recipe for a pretty fabulous Saturday.

Tickets will cost $85 from the Funk N Grooves website, Ticketmaster, and Moshtix. Get yours from May 2.

Image source: Joey O’Rourke @ Flickr