Category: Festivals

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

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Kanye West and Coldplay Headline Splendour

I’m not quite sure how they manage to do it, but somehow the organisers of Splendour in the Grass always manage to assemble a line-up which is more impressive than the year before. The 2011 bill is headed up by Kanye West, Coldplay, and Regina Spektor in what we’re promised will be their only Aussie shows.

That does leave the way open for sideshows from other Splendour artists including Jane’s Addiction, Pulp, The Hives, and Kaiser Chiefs. Heading up the Aussie contingent we’ve got The Living End, Bliss N Eso, Pnau, The Grates, The Vines, and Eskimo Joe, to name but a few.

Splendour in the Grass will take over Woodfordia in Southern Queensland from July 29 to 31. Tickets will go on sale on May 5 from Moshtix.

Image source: Matthew Field @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Stan Walker Headlines New Ground Festival

Musicians from around the world will take over Griffith University’s Meadowbrook Campus on April 30 for the New Ground Festival. The event is designed to celebrate diversity, so it’s only fitting that it’ll take place in Logan, one of Queensland’s most culturally rich cities.

There are more artists to be announced, but already the bill is shaping up to be something special. Acts already announced include reigning Australian Idol Stan Walker, Sudanese singer Ajak Kwai, Sydney reggae act V Tribe, the Silk Girls Ensemble from China, and the Carribean’s Pantastic Steel Band. The musicians will be joined by dance crews, and an array of multicultural foods, arts, and crafts.

Tickets are on sale now through the New Ground Festival website, the Logan PCYC, and other venues around the city.

Image used with permission from Heapsaflash

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Kate Ceberano and James Morrison Back for More Jazz in the Vines

Tickets are now on sale for the Hunter Valley’s premiere music festival, Jazz in the Vines.

After exceptional performances in 2010, Kate Ceberano and James Morrison are heading back for another serve. They’ll be joined by Lisa Hunt, Weird Assembly, and George Washingmachine, and that’s just for starters. Expect to hear more artist announcements before the festival rolls around on October 29.

Reserve your spot through Ticketmaster, Moshtix, or the Jazz in the Vines website and get ready to soak up the good vibes, good tunes, and a few vinos!

Image source: own photo

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Urban Stars Unite for Supafest

Arguably the biggest urban line-up Australia has ever seen will travel around the country this April for Supafest.

It was already shaping up to be something special when Snoop Dogg, Nelly, Bow Wow, and Taio Cruz were announced first, but now that Timbaland, Busta Rhymes, T Pain, Ciara, and DJ Nino Brown have joined the bill it’s getting ridiculous. The best part is, the organizers aren’t done. Expect even more high-quality acts when they make their final announcement next month.

The show’s scheduled to last for nine hours, which is probably how long it’ll take for these acts to play everything people want to hear! Tickets are selling fast, so if you want to head along I wouldn’t wait to get yours!

9 April 2011 – ANZ Stadium, Sydney
10 April 2011 – Arena Joondalup, Perth
16 April 2011 – RNA Showground, Brisbane
17 April 2011 – Melbourne Showgrounds, Melbourne

Image source: Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Angus & Julia Stone, Clare Bowditch, and More Play Shepparton’s 3630 Festival

A who’s who of the Aussie music scene will descend on Shepparton next month for the 3630 Festival. The line-up is impressive, with Angus & Julia Stone, Clare Bowditch, Ryan Meeking, and The Verses all on the bill.

As if the music wasn’t enough to entice you to part with your cash, it’s worth noting that half of the profits will reach Reconciliation Australia. This charity does vital work to bridge the gap in life expectancy between white and indigenous Australians. By donating their funds to the cause, 3630 Festival organisers hope to raise both money and awareness for this organization’s important work.

Considering Shepparton rarely sees any live music of note, let alone a bill like this, it’s impressive that the price of admission has been kept down. For just $65, I can’t think of a better way to spend a lazy Labour Day Sunday! Get your tickets at Shepparton’s Lemon Tree Café or online now!

Image used with permission from the 3630 Festival

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

You Am I Headline Ric’s Big Backyard Festival

Are you suffering summer festival fatigue yet? I don’t blame you, but Ric’s Big Backyard Festival is one event that may pique your interest.

This is a much more low-key affair than the Big Day Out, Summadayze, Future Music Festival, and other shows of its ilk. It takes the festival back to grass roots level, to a time when a generous soul would volunteer their space for a big rock show.

That space is the courtyard behind RG’s and the upstairs and downstairs stages at Ric’s in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley. The bill features an eclectic bunch of musos including You Am I, Pangaea, Die Die Die, Guineafowl, King Cannons, and heaps more. There’ll be 21 bands in all, which makes the $75 price of admission seem quite reasonable indeed.

Ric’s Big Backyard Festival hits Brisbane on Saturday March 26. Tickets go on sale on February 7 from OzTix.

Image used with permission from Footstomp Music