Category: Festivals

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Homebake Festival Scrapped for 2010

The Homebake Festival will be rested this year, but don’t count the event out just yet.

Organisers say they came to the tough decision as this year’s show simply wasn’t shaping up to Homebake standard. They’re now focusing their efforts on the future.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 05: Tim Finn performs on stage during Homebake 2009 in the Domain on December 5, 2009 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)


“As we’ve not been able to have the ‘planets align’ to a standard we feel appropriate to the long standing reputation of Australia’s largest ‘locals only’ event, we’d rather focus on a positive future and are instead planning for a unique return version of Homebake Festival to take place during the first week of December 2011,” the press release reads.

With the quality of local acts, it blows my mind that organisers couldn’t field a stellar festival in 2010. At any rate though, I’m glad they’re not throwing in the towel. In the overcrowded festival calendar, I really liked Homebake’s unique homegrown vision, and I hope to see it realised again in 2011.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

New On the Pulse Festival Brings Bands to Brisbane Kids

And those festival announcements just keep on coming. On the Pulse is a new kid on the block, but something tells me this youth-oriented event is going to take off in a big way.

It’ll bring 15 unsigned and independent punk, rock, and pop acts to Brisbane on October 23; they’ll play across two stages at the Fortitude Valley PCYC and The Hive. Acts on the bill include up and comers Finabah, Flicks, Burning Brooklyn, Words Versing Verses, and Starting Sunday.

“On The Pulse has been created not only to create a quality festival platform for our younger and growing artists, but also to present an exciting opportunity for young music fans to be introduced to new music and exciting new bands,” said festival promoter Marc Mancini.

Parents can rest easy as this is a completely drug and alcohol free event. Tickets cost $25 and are on sale now through Oztix, Rockinghorse Records, Kill the Music, and Sunflower Music.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Meredith Announces Eclectic Lineup for 20th Year

You know festival season is afoot once those line-up announcements begin to roll in. Today Meredith unveiled an impressive collection of bands for its 20th anniversary.

This is really an eclectic bill with literally something for everybody. I don’t think you’re ever going to find Crowded House on the same bill as American gangsta rappers Clipse, British post punksters The Fall, and US soul outfit Sharon Jones and The Dap Kings. And that’s before we mention Dirty Three, Little Red, Custard, Sally Seltmann, and C.W. Stoneking. And that’s just for starters.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 31: Neil Finn of Crowded House performs on stage during their concert at Enmore Theatre on March 31, 2010 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)


It’s all happening at the Meredith Amphitheatre from December 10 to 12. Sign up for the ticket ballot on the Meredith website to have the best chance at scoring tickets.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Art vs Science, Basement Birds and More to Join Cypress Hill at Coaster

Following the recent announcement that Cypress Hill would headline, the folks at Coaster have announced their first line-up.

Falls Festival 2009 - Day 3


It’s a bill which features plenty of exciting new local acts including Art vs Science, Basement Birds, Bluejuice, and Boy vs Bear. I’m thrilled to see a line-up which doesn’t include so many of the usual festival suspects; hopefully that diversity will be the key to getting folks through the gates.

Coaster will hit Gosford Showgrounds on the New South Wales Central Coast on Saturday September 25. Tickets go on sale to the public on July 1, but if you want to get a jump on the competition join the Coaster mailing list for access to the presale on June 24.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Lilith Fair Rumored To Head Down Under

Word is that the recently revived all-girl music festival Lilith Fair will wing its way to Australia later this year. The event’s co-founder Terry McBride told The Music Network “We’re hoping to bring Lilith to Australia in late September or October – we’re still working it out.”

I’d love to see some Lilith Fair shows in Oz. Australia has more than its fair share of incredible female artists, from the new breed of Lisa Mitchell, Kate Miller-Heidke, and Sarah Blasko to veterans like Renee Geyer, Deborah Conway, Kate Ceberano, and Olivia Newton-John. Big name international talents Carly Simon, Heart, Suzanne Vega, and festival founder Sarah McLachlan will play the North American tour, and I’d love to see some of these artists joining our home-grown acts later this year. Fingers crossed!

McLachlan poses for a portrait in Los Angeles

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Spiderbait, Gyroscope, and More for Hunter Valley’s Funk n Grooves Festival

The line-up for this year’s Funk n Grooves festival, which will hit the new site at 1882 Broke Road, Pokolbin on September 11, has been announced.

Groovin The Moo 2008 Festival


The bill features an eclectic mix of acts including Spiderbait, Gyroscope, British India, Bertie Blackman, Urthboy, Washington, Resin Dogs, The Bamboos, and Skipping Girl Vinegar. This festival is really finding its own identity as a kind of little sister to Jazz in the Vines. The blend of pop, rock, blues, and soul on the menu this year is really intriguing and should see a solid turnout for the event.

Tickets are available now for $80 plus booking fee from the Funk n Grooves website.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Cypress Hill to Headline Coaster Festival

The folks at Coaster have pulled off a massive get this year, securing Cypress Hill to headline the 2010 festival. As a Central Coast girl myself, it’s pretty amazing to think that the old school American hip hoppers will be at Gosford Showgrounds on September 25.

But who will join them? All will be revealed on June 4 when the Coaster team makes the first of their major line-up announcements. Check back here for all the details as they come to hand!

Cypress Hill Visits Fuse TV

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Splendour in the Grass Announces Big Lineup for 2010

The line-up for this year’s Splendour in the Grass festival has been announced, and it’s an absolute doozy.

Mammoth modern acts like The Strokes, Scissor Sisters, Ben Harper, and Mumford and Sons will join elder statesmen The Pixies on the bill. Most of the big names come from abroad, but locals are represented by The Temper Trap, Midnight Juggernauts, Empire of the Sun, Paul Kelly, Angus & Julia Stone, and Wolfmother.

It’s an eclectic lineup which should see plenty of punters packing out Woodfordia in the Sunshine Coast hinterland from July 30 to August 1. If you want to get there, consider a combined event and camping ticket, offered for the first time this year. At just $100 more than the three-day event ticket, it’s promising to be the most economical option unless you live nearby or know someone who does! Tickets will go on sale via Moshtix on May 6.

Image source: Splendour in the Grass Facebook page

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Michael Coppel Withdrawal Puts V Festival in Doubt

V Festival’s future in Australia is in doubt after promoter Michael Coppel refused to renew his deal with Sir Richard Branson. Unless the Virgin Group can find another major promoter before March, it looks like the show won’t go ahead.

“For the past three years, the Virgin Group and Michael Coppel Presents have worked together to deliver the acclaimed V Festival to Australian audiences,” Mr Coppel said in a statement.

“The presentation of V Festival in 2009 concluded this arrangement and the partnership is not being renewed. The Virgin Group will make further announcements regarding V Festival in Australia in the coming months.”

But whispers are that Michael Coppel’s not getting out of the festival biz altogether. Industry buzz says he’s working on a festival for late 2010, with many suggesting it could see Livid resurrected. I’ll miss V Festival, but that would certainly ease the pain!

Image source: Bradii @ Flickr

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Prodigy, Franz Ferdinand On Future Music Festival Bill

The Prodigy, Franz Ferdinand and John Digweed will join the leaked names Empire of the Sun and David Guetta on the Future Music Festival bill.

The first line-up announcement hit the media today, with Booka Shade, Sven Vath, Erick Morillo, and Does It Offend You, Yeah? also on the bill. The Future Music Festival is a massive ten-hour event showcasing some of the hottest hip-hop, indie, and dance music on the planet.

Tickets to the event go on sale on October 21 through Ticketmaster. Here are the dates!

27 February 2010 – Turf Club CP Doomben Racecourse, Brisbane
28 February 2010 – Ascot Racecourse, Perth
6 March 2010 – Royal Randwick Racecourse, Sydney
7 March 2010 – Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne
8 March 2010 – Rundle & Rymill Parks, Adelaide

Image source: Scootie @ Wikimedia Commons