While rodeo’s big business in America, it’s never really taken off in a mainstream way in Australia. That might be all about to change with the launch of Rodeo Rockfest, a series of events which brings the best in rodeo and Aussie rock to folks in Queensland and New South Wales.
The shows look like pretty slick productions, with the rodeo staged underneath a big top and various music stages set up to give punters their choice of acts. Those bands are first class too, with Spiderbait, The Beautiful Girls, Bluejuice, You Am I, Gyroscope, and Thirsty Merc and more scheduled to appear.
Rodeos might seem a bit cruel, but organisers say that animal lovers can rest easy.
“Safety of the riders and animals is our number one priority which is why we have introduced new safety features such as a rope arena and pull-away, shot-gun chutes,” explained Rodeo Rockfest organizer Lindsay Clarke.
I’m not sure whether bucking broncos and bull riding is my thing, but the Rodeo Rockfest is just the sort of tour that might convince me to find out.
Tickets for the following shows are available for the bands, the rodeo, or the whole event through Ticketek and the Radio Rockfest website.
30 July 2010 –Turf Club, Ipswitch (with Bluejuice and Mojo Webb)
31 July 2010 –Turf Club, Ipswitch (with Spiderbait, Salmonella Dub, and Mojo Webb)
1 August 2010 –Turf Club, Ipswitch (with Spiderbait, Salmonella Dub, and Ernest Ellis)
13 August 2010 – Showgrounds, Rockhampton (with The Beautiful Girls and The Fumes)
14 August 2010 – Showgrounds, Rockhampton (with The Beautiful Girls, 28 Days, and The Fumes)
15 August 2010 – Showgrounds, Rockhampton (with Gyroscope, 28 Days, and The Fumes)
20 August 2010 – Showgrounds, Cairns (with Thirsty Merc and Josh Rawiri)
21 August 2010 – Showgrounds, Cairns (with Bluejuice, Children Collide, and Josh Rawiri)
22 August 2010 – Showgrounds, Cairns (with Bluejuice, Children Collide, and Josh Rawiri)
10 September 2010 – Turf Club, Townsville (with Gyroscope and Ernest Ellis)
11 September 2010 – Turf Club, Townsville (with You Am I, Shihad, and Ernest Ellis)
12 September 2010 – Turf Club, Townsville (with You Am I, Shihad, and Ernest Ellis)
17 September 2010 – Showgrounds, Mackay (with Thirsty Merc and Mojo Webb)
18 September 2010 – Showgrounds, Mackay (with Thirsty Merc, Jebediah, and Mojo Webb)
19 September 2010 – Showgrounds, Mackay (with You Am I, Jebediah, and Mojo Webb)
8-10 October 2010 – National Park No. 2 Sportsground, Newcastle (bands to be announced)
22-24 October 2010 – Mt. Penang Gardens, Gosford (bands to be announced)
5-7 November 2010 – Panthers, Penrith (bands to be announced)
Ever since Brisbane hip hop outfit The Optimen released their sophomore album The Out of Money Experience in April, we’ve been wondering when we’d see them on the road.
