Australian Music Festivals

Sydney Announces First Jewish Music Festival

2010-01-31T14:48:00.000-08:00

Shir Madness – the first ever Jewish music festival in Sydney, Australia – is set to kick off this summer on Aug. 15. Over 35 acts are expected to play during the festival.

Four stages will be set up at the Bondi Pavilion in Sydney, where Jewish music styles such as Klezmer and Ladino will be featured along with contemporary blues, jazz, rock reggae, dance and rap.

Shir Madness will start off with a Gala Opening Concert on Saturday, Aug. 14. However, the main festival will take place the next day. It runs from 11.00 a.m. to 11.00 p.m. The festival hopes to showcase young Jewish performers.

Australia has produced a long list of Jewish artists of international standing, including jazz and soul singer Renée Geyer, Ben Lee, bassist Tal Wilkenfeld, among others.

Festival organizers are still accepting submissions. While the focus is on Sydney acts, musicians from around the world can apply. The application forms are available online at http://www.shirmadness.com They have already received entries from Perth and Tel Aviv.

Four Winds Festival Easter 2010

2010-01-12T18:32:00.000-08:00

Four Winds Festival Easter 2010
Stretch out on the grass, and listen to some of Australia’s best musicians play and sing classical, jazz, blues, from Gregorian chant to flamenco, with humour and wonderful collaborations, in this fine 3 day festival over Easter in Bermagui, NSW.
http://www.fourwinds.com.au/

Italian maestro to play exclusively at Four Winds Festival 2010

Different times and different cultures will be brought together in three days of exquisite music at the Four Winds Festival in Bermagui, at Easter 2010 when the “Yo Yo Ma of the viola da gamba” , Paolo Pandolfo, will play exclusively at the Festival.

The Festival was shortlisted by Limelight Magazine as one of the six best Festivals in Australia in 2008, and the artistic director is virtuoso recorder player Genevieve Lacey.

The romance of renaissance Italy and music reverberating around the ancient squares of Tuscany will be brought alive in the Australian bush by Italian maestro Paolo Pandolfo.

Sultry flamenco from Arte Kanela will play as dusk settles on Friday and bring a contemporary latino element picked up by the Flinders quarter on Sunday when they join with Karin Schaupp on guitar in a new collaboration of fandango with friends. Karin with join with harpist Marshall McGuire in a first time collaboration on strings playing de Falla, Granados and an Albeniz tango.

The exhilarating open air site for the Festival, close to the sea, will give people an opportunity to stretch out on the grass and dream to Melbourne group e21 singing songs of earth, sky and sea, including mediaeval Gregorian chant and songs of place from Australian Indigenous songlines.

Gospel and soul will be brought to mind when the women of the Black Arm Band sing in 13 Indigenous languages on Sunday afternoon – anyone who enjoys Sweet Honey in the Rock will love these songs which breath life into that which was lost.

This walk through the ages will be launched on Good Friday with a free concert and a cast of bells, conch shells, massed choirs and scores of musicians under the masterful direction of John Bolton.

David Hewitt will bring humour and whimsy, not to mention all manner of percussion to a performance of the resonant village on Saturday and will continue with the four winds cinematic orchestra and a bewildering array of instruments, objects, sound effects and absurd dialogue, gravely played, and hilariously funny.

A world premier on Saturday afternoon from the Andrea Keller Quartet, commissioned by the Keir Foundation, will be a highlight of a weekend and will blur collaboration and improvisation in jazz and contemporary classical music.

The strands of ancient and modern musics and styles will be brought together with assurance and brilliance by Jessica Aszodi (soprano) and Marshall McGuire (harp).

Media Contact: Marilyn Chalkley, 0418 624 http://www.fourwinds.com.au/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/fourwindsfestival

Jazz In The Vines

2009-07-26T18:18:00.000-07:00

Jazz In The Vines - 2009 11am - 6pm

http://www.jazzinthevines.com.au/

JITV returns for 2009. Come along and get hooked like so many others on the fun, music, great food & wines. We've brought together some of Australia’s finest musicians for a big 17th Anniversary lineup that will appeal to Jazz lovers and non Jazz lovers alike.

While we have always been a little green here at Jazz in the Vines, we are now taking a few more steps in the green direction.
There are a few things you will notice when you get to the event…
Recycle your bottles! – we have a glass bottle recycle system, where you get a discount if you return your empty when you purchase another bottle.
Environmentally friendly packaging – where possible all cutlery, crockery and plastic cups and bags will all be biodegradable
Transport – leave the car at home and catch a bus!
Printing - All posters and flyers created for the festival have been printed on 75% recycled paper by our keen, green printer. We ask anyone that has a flyer or poster for the festival to please recycle it afterwards.
These are simply first steps on a long road. Each year we will try to do more and more until we are as environmentally friendly as we can be.

Indulge yourself with entre size servings of gourmet delights from some of the great restaurants of Wine Country, Elizabeth´s Café, The Verandah Restaurant, Esca Restaurant, Redsalt and Majors Lane Café. The Hunter Valley Cheese Company and Pukara Estate Olives will also be there with wonderful delights on offer... or Pre-book a picnic hamper and pick it up on the day from San Martino Restaurant.

Wine Not one but six of the areas best wineries Tyrrell´s, Drayton´s, Tamburlaine, Bimbadgen Estate and the Hunter Valley Wine Society will have wines by the bottle while Peterson´s Champagne House will be setting up a bubble bar for the day. Beer, soft drink, water, tea and coffee is also available for purchase on the day. Please note there is no BYO alcohol.

Bimbadgen Blues Roots Funk n Grooves

2009-07-26T18:12:00.000-07:00

Bimbadgen Blues Roots Funk n Grooves
Saturday 12th September 2009, 3pm - 9pm
Bimbadgen Estate McDonalds Rd Pokolbin NSW
It’s our 10th anniversary so we thought we would shake things up a bit! A new date (2nd Sat in Sept), now times (running day/night now), new name (Blues Roots Funk n Grooves) and new lineup!

Bimbadgen Estate is a fantastic venue for a festival, they do great food and drinks, the view is to die for and we can have 2 stages (that’s 2 complete different areas not just 2 stages side by side)! What more do you want?

Sometimes you know an album is going to be great as soon as you hear the beginning of the first song. Think back to favourite albums and how they stood bold and proud from the first note, inviting you to fall in love with them.Get Us Home, the lead track from The Panics’ first album on...

Having shared the global stage with the likes of Santana, Damien ‘Jr gong’ Marley, Julian Marley, The John Butler Trio and Michael Franti & Spearhead to name a few, The 11 piece powerhouse band that is BLUE KING BROWN bring their cross generational grooves and socially conscious sound....

Each year, Mushroom Publishing holds a writing workshop in a mansion situated in the gorgeous surrounds of Victoria’s Macedon Ranges. The aim is to team up two songwriters from divergent backgrounds and challenge them to write and record one new song in a day.It was here that TZU beatsmith...

When it came time to cut a solo album, Spiderbait's co-vocalist and percussive lynchpin Kram had a deceptively simple philosophy. "I wanted it to be like a radio station where all the songs sound like different bands but its all played by one person," he explains. "The premise of the whole...

Sporting an aggressive, party-oriented mix of rock, hip hop, electro and disco, the five member group is in its element making people dance in a retarded, unselfconscious way. Producer Jim Mashedar likened the band’s sound to “Lil’ Jon playing in a rock band”, an accurate...

Dialectrix is a Blue Mountains based MC who has been perfecting his craft for the better part of the last decade. His first encounters in hip hop stemmed from back yard party ciphers to performing free style sets with his first crew Down Under Beats.Along side Dj Platter Push, Dj Codeks, MC...

How the Philly Jays came to be ... Dan W Sweat started the band on a whim. After partying hard with some college punk band, he decided that he needed to get meaner, rawer and sweatier. He saw MC Bad Genius getting a haircut and knew that he must be part of this new musical experiment.

Here Come the Birds formed as a five piece in 2005, and since their inception they have graced stages in major venues across Australia as the headline act in front of sold out crowds as well as supporting nationally renowned touring bands.

Deni Play on the Plains Festival & World Record Ute Muster

2009-07-26T17:53:00.000-07:00

Every year since its inception the Deniliquin Ute Muster has reached new heights, nationally recognized as one of the largest rural themed Festivals in Australia with over 20,000 people making the pilgrimage annually from all corners of Australia and beyond.

It is a celebration of all things Australian, bringing together the best of the best for 2 days of top class competitions, demonstrations, live music, extreme sports action and the Australian Music Industry’s cream of OZ music both days and nights.This year the Festival will be staged on Friday 2 & Saturday 3 October (NSW Labour Day Long weekend every year) in Deniliquin, Southern Riverina, New South Wales.

The Festival continues to invite Australia’s top country, rock and contemporary artists to perform on the Mains Stage each evening. This year the Festival headlines Powderfinger along with The Angels, Troy Cassar Daley, Beccy Cole, Adam Harvey, The Sunny Cowgirls, Catherine Britt, Travis Collins, Kirsty Lee Akers and Sinead Burgess.Set on the flattest open plains on earth the site includes a number of camping sites which are included in the Festival pass. Also there is an opportunity for patrons to Rent a Tent for only $100 during the Festival. Already erected for when you arrive.A truly quintessential rural Australian experience set on the edge of the Outback!

Name: Deni Play on the Plains Festival & World Record Ute Muster
Where: Deniliquin, Southern Riverina, New South Wales, Australia
Contact: info@deniutemuster.com.au or for further information and ticket purchases .
Buy your tickets before 1st September to Save $$’s.
Web: http://www.deniutemuster.com.au/

Yackandandah Folk Festival

2008-07-06T16:05:00.001-07:00

The first Yackandandah Folk Festival was held in March 1998 and was a one day event. Since then the Festival has been run over three days including many different events and activities for all ages and attracting artists of national and international standing.

The Festival is organised by a dedicated team of Yackandandah residents who felt the need to conduct an activity within the township that would give an outlet to the many creative people living in the town as well as attract artists that would not normally come to a town the size of Yackandandah.

The Festival has grown over the years and now enjoys broad based support from the community with groups as diverse as the Kindergarten to the Fire Brigade offering assistance in conducting the event.

The Fleurieu Folk Festival

2008-07-06T16:03:00.001-07:00

The Fleurieu Folk Festival is Fantastic Family Fun! Set in the beautiful historic town of Willunga on South Australia's Fleurieu Peninsula, the festival presents a weekend of music concerts and sessions, dance, workshops, bush poets, children’s entertainment, stalls, in fact there’s something there for the whole family!

Bring an instrument and join in the sessions or step on stage at a blackboard concert – kick up your heels at the Bush Dance – browse around the craft stalls & the Saturday Farmers’ Market – watch the kids have fun with face painting, maypole dancing, clowns, Punch & Judy and the Young Talent Showcase – discover your own talent at one of the many workshops - or just relax and enjoy the vast array of local, Interstate & Overseas performers.

The Wintermoon Festival

2008-07-06T16:02:00.001-07:00

The Wintermoon Festival began in 1996 as a tiny local event with locals as entertainers and audience.
Word has spread about the beautiful location, and family-friendly atmosphere.Entertainers, visitors and volunteers have been journeying from all over the country to entertain and participate.
We're pleased to say that although our festival has grown quite large, it still seems a "small, cosy festival" at heart because we're always surrounded by friendly, helpful people, and families are a big part of our festival, so the kids are always well catered for.

The Turning Wave Festival

2008-07-06T16:00:00.000-07:00

The Turning Wave Festival is an outstanding celebration of Irish & Australian music and the related arts held over five days of stunning events and performances, catering for music & arts enthusiasts, families who wish to enjoy a safe festival, and those who just come to soak up the atmosphere and the friendliness. The Festival is organised and presented by the Turning Wave Festival Committee under the auspices of the Gundagai Regional Enhancement Group Inc and is realised with the assistance and hospitality of the residents, businesses and Shire of Gundagai and, a brilliant team of volunteers.

Idyllic Setting
Situated on the banks of the Murrumbidgee River, iconic Gundagai, with its wide main street and character buildings, and its unique culture and history provides the perfect stage for the Turning Wave Festival.

Irish Connections
The Irish have been part of the fabric of Gundagai from the days of early settlement. From Irish famine orphan girls, to the Sisters of Mercy from Dublin to the infamous Irish bushranger, Captain Moonlight Irish connections abound.

Diverse Program
The Turning Wave Festival showcases some of the country's most celebrated musicians, bands singer/songwriters, poets, storytellers, raconteurs and dance troupes, in an exciting and diverse program that includes concerts, dance, workshops, spoken word, theatre, street theatre, exhibitions and events appropriate to the festival ethos and its current theme. While the Festival begins on Wednesday with master classes and special events, the main program starts at 5pm Friday and runs through till 5pm Sunday.

Festival of Innovation
Each year the festival undertakes to add new and innovative events to complement and extend the existing program, and to seek new ways to explore traditional and contemporary Irish & Australian music and the arts .

Festival of Participation
With community ensembles, individual blackboard events, a Festival Folk Club, a Singers' Club, and numerous sessions around the town there's plenty of opportunity to get involved or find a stage to share your music.

Blue Mountains Music Festival.

2008-07-06T15:57:00.000-07:00

The first Blue Mountains Folk Festival was conceived in March 1995, with a challenge from American folk legend Tom Paxton to ‘ just do it’. Paxton was on one of his very rare Australian tours and local Blue Mountains guitarist Al Ward was travelling with him as sideman and support act. During the tour they had played the Port Fairy and Jamberoo festivals amongst others and had sung the praises of those events to the Clarendon’s Bob Charter.

For some time Bob and Al Ward had had an informal arrangement for acoustic concerts which had replaced the more regular folk club run by Stuart Cowell, Nigel Foote and Dawn Egan. As part of this informal concert series, Tom Paxton was doing two nights at the Clarendon. Over a few drinks after the second show Bob, Al and Paxton were discussing the viability of a local folk festival, especially since the Blue Mountains had just been named ‘Inaugural City of the Arts’.
Paxton threw down the gauntlet, and in 1996 his good friend John McCutcheon became the first international artist to play at the festival.

The first festival was a modest affair with 24 concerts on three stages, and included Dave Swarbrick, The Bushwackers, The Backsliders, Broderick Smith, Bernard Bolan, Jeannie Lewis, Alistair Hulett, Al Ward, Pat Drummond, the Fagans and a host of other acts from Sydney and the Blue Mountains. The second year saw more high profile artists, including Andy Irvine, Eric Bogle, Judy Small, Kev Carmody, Irish sensations Lunasa, Riley Lee and The Well Oiled Sisters from Scotland. The festival expanded to cover five stages.

The Katoomba Public School and the Katoomba RSL have been partners in the festival from the beginning, providing venues, logistics and volunteers. The RSL has become a major sponsor, and houses the Blues stage.

The name change to ‘Blue Mountains Music Festival. Folk, Roots and Blues’ was made to more accurately reflect the musical profile of the festival. The difference between this and other folk festivals is that right from the outset it meant to provide performance opportunities for professional artists, who have been seriously affected by the decline in the number of live performance venues across Australia. It has presented acts as diverse as Eric Bibb, Bruce Cockburn, Kieran Kane and Kevin Welch, Rory McCleod, Chris Wilson, The Stiff Gins, Andy Irvine, Patty Larkin, Paul Brady, Tiddas, Mic Conway’s National Junk Band, Harry Manx, Seamus Begley, Andy M Stewart, Bert Jansch, Eric Bogle, Chris Smither, The Bluehouse, Jeff Lang, Dick Gaughan, Waterson Carthy, Guy Davis, Ember Swift, Colin Hay, Kristina Olsen, Fourplay, Fruit, Slava and Leonard Grigoryan, Altan and Felpeyu, just to name a few.
The event is now based around seventy or so concerts by world class acoustic practitioners, both seasoned campaigners and emerging talents.

With the financial support of all levels of government and corporate sponsors Guinness, the festival has acquired an enviable international reputation for the quality of programming and production, and there is fierce competition amongst the touring fraternity of musicians for inclusion. In 2003, Festivals Australia provided funding for a nostalgic return to the big band jazz age when Katoomba was the honeymoon capital of New South Wales. In 2004 the Blue Mountains City Council entered into a cultural partnership with the festival to present a ‘Blue’ Mountains of Music showcase featuring some of the best of the home grown high ground talent. The headline acts for 2005 include Janis Ian, Eric Bibb, The Whitlams, Mia Dyson, guitar wizard Tony McManus and separate Irish singing sensations Brian Kennedy and Sean Keane.

The Australian Blues Music Festival

2008-07-06T15:52:00.001-07:00

The Australian Blues Music Festival is The National Festival of Australian Blues Music. It is held in a variety of venues throughout the historic Goulburn CBD on the second (full) weekend of February every year.

The Festival showcases the very best of emerging and established blues acts from around Australia and features workshops with the artists, a weekend-long open mic, Youth in Blues Jam, buskers vintage guitar and amp shop, markets, industry 'meet and greet' forum, the Australian Blues Music 'Chain' Awards and the traditional end of Festival highlight - the All-Star Pro-Jam.

It's a friendly little festival/industry event with intimate performance spaces and plenty of opportunities to have a chat with your favourite artists. No wonder the Australian Blues Music Festival in Goulburn, NSW is being talked about as "Australia's peak blues event" and "the top Australian blues venue".
The Festival enjoys a very high patron loyalty rate of dedicated blues music enthusiasts and like them, once you've discovered Goulburn you'll mark February in your diary to come back every year!

Be sure to reserve 12-15 February 2009 in your diaries now and don't forget to get in early to book your accommodation.

We Love Sounds Music Festival

2008-07-06T15:46:00.000-07:00

We Love Sounds Music Festival
Who we are
Comprising Ben Korbel, Paddy Nash and Declan Lee, Sounds Group is one of Sydney's best promotional teams. The fastest growing events business in Australia, the Sounds crew is young and innovative, with a track record most events organisers take decades, if not centuries, to achieve. Backing up the boys is Glen Power, a dynamic PR team and a creative department that appears to know no artistic bounds.

What we do
When it comes to events, Sounds has become known for musical integrity, attention to detail, superlative organisational skills, innovative advertising and forward thinking marketing strategies. For example, Sounds was the first to bring James Zabiela and Jacques Lu Cont (Les Rhymes Digitales) out to Australia, showing not only an intuitive knowledge of what constitutes a good party, but displaying a gutsy dedication to pushing new music.

Our partners
One of Sounds' most prominent promotional bedfellows is top UK brand Renaissance, for which it has successfully promoted quarterly national tours, including the sell-out long weekend featuring James Zabiela. Sounds also enjoys a partnership with We Love Music, who put on Homelands in the UK and the weekly We Love Sundays at Space in Ibiza (voted best club night in the world - twice!). Together, Sounds and We Love.. promote the annual We Love… Sounds winter festival with dates across the country.

Past events
Sounds has so far promoted the following international artists: Public Enemy, Grandmaster Flash, Annie, Digitalism, Deep Dish, Dirty Vegas, Paul Oakenfold, Sasha, Paul Van Dyk, Felix Da Housecat, Cash Money, The Presets, Cut Copy, Van She, Sneaky Sound System, Bliss N Eso, Infusion, Ewan Pearson, Damian Lazarus, The Youngsters, Tiefschwarz, Crazy Penis, Joey Negro, Nick Warren, Danny Howells, DJ Hyper, BLIM, Boogie Pimps, Sandy Rivera, Ali B, James Zabiela, Michael Mayer, Hernan Cattaneo, Dave Seaman, Dimitri From Paris, Kaskade, Clive Henry, Norman Jay, Wally Lopez, Tyler Stadius, Moonbootica, Way Out West, Moguai, Tayo, General Midi, Adam Freeland, Junkie XL, Mike Monday, Hipp-e, Dynamo Productions, Cut Le Roc, Deadly Avenger, Lee Coombs, Sonique, Masters At Work, Satoshi Tomiie, Armin Van Buuren and many more, with many more to come.

What they said
'in a world where club tour branding for branding sake is not a road we want to go down with 'We Love' , Sounds is one of a rare breed that we not only want to work with but feel are totally in tune with what really matters, the party !'Darren Hughes
'Sounds on Sunday, without a doubt one of my absolute favourite gigs of 2003, and one of THE finest crowds I've ever played to. Can't wait to come back.' Danny Howells

Adelaide International Guitar Festival

2008-07-06T15:42:00.000-07:00

Adelaide International Guitar Festival
2008 DATES RELEASED! The 2008 Adelaide International Guitar Festival will run from Saturday 29 November to Sunday 7 December.

The inaugural Adelaide International Guitar Festival was a strumming success!
Over 70 artists entertained, amused and educated 30,000 guitar-lovers from across the globe. Finger-pickers & shredders, slide maestros and virtuosos from all genres offered a range of extraordinary experiences for concert-goers of all tastes. The atmosphere was lifted even further by the number of impromptu "performances" in the café and surrounds, after concerts when musicians strapped on their guitar and started playing for each other. The opportunity to freely mingle with some of the world's greats over a coffee or beer in the Wah-Bar was a highlight for many.

ARTISTS FEEDBACK
Our artists, without exception, have expressed their wish to come back in future years.
International Artist -In-Residence Jorma Kaukonen: "I have never been involved with such an impressive and well-organised event. The calibre of artists and behind-the-scenes staff has been a joy to be involved with."

Artist-In-Residence Jeff Lang: "It has been great being here for the duration of the event. Catching up with friends, and making new friends is what it's all about. The best part was playing with, and learning from, new people which only makes me a better player. It has been an inspiring and thoroughly professional event to be a part of".

Jazz great Martin Taylor: "I didn't want to miss it. I've played at many festivals and I can't believe the quality of artists you have assembled here. The professional management of this (event) puts many others around the world to shame".

Guinness Book Of Records: Biggest Guitar Band Attempt
We didn't quite break the world record but a record 1,350 Australians took part in our Biggest Guitar Band attempt, with many hundreds watching on. Around 2,000 people enjoyed the night and the audience had a go at doing Smoke On The Water by themselves too - and it didn't sound too bad! We're not giving up just yet - we'll have another crack at it in 2008. Check out the photo's here.

2008 FESTIVAL
Planning for the 2008 festival is well under way and promises to be even bigger and better. Stay tuned for new dates to be released soon.
The Adelaide International Guitar Festival is presented and produced by Adelaide Festival Centre with proud support from the South Australian Government and the South Australian Tourism Commission, the Adelaide International Guitar Festival is an important new music festival that will sit firmly in music-lovers calendars as an annual event not to be missed.

Caloundra Music Festival

2008-07-06T15:37:00.000-07:00

WHAT IS IT?The second annual Caloundra Music Festival will be held over the weekend of 17 - 19 October. This not for profit family-friendly community event celebrates the environment, cultural achievements and community pride of the Caloundra area. The beautiful Kings Beach and surrounds will come alive to the sounds of a diverse line-up of entertainment featuring the best of the Australian music industry as well as famous international artists. A colourful street parade, roving performers, beach-side carnival, buskers, free children's entertainment and a stroll in 'The Village' complete the experience.

FESTIVAL MISSION
This festival represents the Sunshine Coast Regional Council’s ongoing commitment to cultural diversity and community celebration. The Caloundra Music Festival aims to:

celebrate the environment in which we live
recognise a diverse range of musical styles
provide new cultural and musical experiences
provide inclusive opportunities to encourage community well-being
foster and encourage local performers and emerging talents
encourage new visitation and extended stays

IT'S NOT JUST MUSIC! Caloundra Music Festival is certainly about music - but it’s also about celebrating our lifestyle and our environment. There is a range of other free activities planned during the three day festival, including…
Beach-side carnival
The Village
Workshops and interactive sessions
Street parade
Bulcock Street markets on the Sunday
Buskers
Roving Street performers
Kite surfing displays

VENUE
Kings Beach Park features a specialised amphitheatre in grassy parklands against an ocean backdrop. This is the main ticketed venue for the festival. The Kings Beach precinct boasts first class amenities including a swimming pool, water fountains, children’s parks and picnic areas, a stunning coastal walk and a spectacular surf beach with views to Moreton Island.

STAGES
Main Stage: Kings Beach Park Amphitheatre, with it's beautiful ocean backdrop is where you will capture all the big names throughout the weekend.
Break Stage: The Break Stage will surprise and amaze, as you discover the skills and talents of up and coming artists.

The Village Stage: Located in Lions Park adjacent to Kings Beach, this stage is free to the public and runs all day Saturday and Sunday. Find a shady spot under a tree, relax and enjoy the diverse range of entertainment.
Kings Beach Tavern: Looking over the park, during the day it is the perfect location to enjoy a drink and a meal. Stay on into the evening as great live bands ensure the festivities kick on until late.
Various local pubs, clubs and cafes will also be alive with performances and entertainment throughout the weekend.

ACCOMMODATION
To arrange accommodation for the Caloundra Music Festival, please visit the Caloundra Tourism website or phone Caloundra's Visitor Information Centres' FREE booking service toll free on 1800 644 969 or 07 5420 6240 or via email tourist.info@caloundra.qld.gov.au.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Dates and Festival Hours Wristbands, ID and Entry Festival Program Parking Shuttle Bus Food and Drink Phone coverage and ATMs What to bring/What not to bring Merchandise First aid and security Lost Property Bringing kids?Videos, cameras, recording devices Access for people with a disability
Dates and Festival HoursFriday 17 October 5.00pm – 10.00pmSaturday 18 October 12.00am – 10.00pmSunday 19 October 12.00am – 7.00pmPlus performances at Kings Beach Tavern late into the night.
Main stage gates open:Friday 4.30pmSaturday 11.30amSunday 11.30am
Wristbands, ID and EntryOn entry to the festival, your ticket will be exchanged for a wristband. You must wear this wristband throughout the festival as it will act as your pass out. Please not the wristband is non-transferable, non-refundable and not replaceable - it becomes invalid if tampered or broken.If you are under the influence of drugs or alcohol you will be refused entry.We have the right to refuse entry where we see fit.While the festival is open to all ages, you need to be 18+ and hold a valid, current photo ID (a passport, license or proof of age card) to buy alcoholic drinks within the designated bar area.
Festival ProgramThe full program of artist performance times will be released two weeks before the festival.A Festival Program booklet will be available for purchase at the festival.
ParkingThere is no parking at Kings Beach. Catching public transport or walking from your accommodation is recommended if possible. If you are driving, please park your car at the bus interchange in Caloundra (Cooma Terrace) and catch the shuttle bus to the venue.
Shuttle BusThe shuttle bus service will run throughout the festival from the bus interchange in Caloundra (Cooma Terrace). It is a gold coin donation and will drop you right at the gate of the festival. There is plenty of parking in and around the bus interchange.
Food and DrinkThe festival has a wide range of food and drink on offer from vendors, as well as the many restaurants and cafes around town. Festival-goers may bring in food and any type of non-alcoholic drink.Any food or drink must be in paper or plastic containers - no glass is permitted. Please note no eskys are permitted.
Phone coverage and ATMsThere are no ATMs within the ticketed venues, so please ensure you have money on you to purchase refreshments, food, merchandise etc. There are a number of ATMs and shops with EFTPOS facilities located around Caloundra.There is moblie phone coverage in Caloundra and payphones are available.
What to bring…
Sun protection!! Hat, shirt, sunscreen and lots of water!
Wet-weather gear – the festival goes ahead rain, hail or shine!
Money and your tickets
ID - you must present your ID on entry to the festival to validate age for the purpose of concessions and entry to bar.
Medication – there will be St John’s services for emergencies, but bring any medications/treatments you might require if you suffer from a serious illness or condition, such as epilepsy or asthma. Remember to include your contact details on any medication.
Chairs – but make sure you keep them to the back of the park. The area in front of the stage will be a chair free zone.
Your kids! The Caloundra Music Festival provides a very family-friendly atmosphere and there is something for all ages, so bring them along!
What not to bring…
Your pets (other than guide dogs)
Umbrellas
An esky
Alcohol or drugs
Skateboards, rollerblades, frisbees.
Weapons (including pocket knives), fireworks and anything else flammable, dangerous or dubious.
MerchandiseThere will be a merchandise tent located within Kings Beach Park amphitheatre selling all your favourite artists' CDs and merchandise. Caloundra Music Festival merchandise will also be available - be sure to check it out!
First aid and securityBig crowds are no place to be if you’re under the influence of mind-altering substances of any kind, including alcohol. Please ask festival staff or a St John’s Ambulance officer for help.Forget about trying to sneak into the ticketed venues – the fencing is patrolled by security guards at all times.No stage diving, crowd surfing or moshing. Moshers risk being ejected from the venue and refused further entry.In the unlikely situation that an area of the festival may be required to be evacuated or cleared, it is imperative that you follow all instructions from emergency services, police, the fire brigade and/or security.
Lost PropertyLost property that is handed in during the festival will be taken to the Festival headquarters located adjacent to Kings Beach amphitheatre. After the weekend contact us at communityevents@sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au or call 07 5420 8722, and if we have it, we’ll return it to you.
Bringing kids?Children under 13 receive free entry into the festival if accompanied by a fee paying parent or guardian – if you look like you might be older than 12, you’ll need to bring ID (a passport, birth certificate) to prove your age. The Caloundra Music Festival is an all-ages event – if you are 12 or under you must be accompanied by a legal guardian (ie. a parent or someone who your parents have given permission to be responsible for you)
Videos, cameras, recording devicesStandard, non-professional cameras are fine to bring to the festival. Video cameras, audio recorders, tripods and professional cameras are not – if you bring these in, you risk them being confiscated. Professional photographers, including media, must contact the office for accreditation prior to the festival.
Access for people with a disabilityWe encourage people with special needs to get in touch with us prior to the event so we can provide any information required.

Deni Ute Muster

2008-07-06T15:23:00.000-07:00

The Festival is held this year on Friday 3 & Saturday 4 October 2008, in Deniliquin, Southern Riverina, NSW.2 days of non stop top class entertainment including Friday and Saturday night concerts headlining: The Living End, Kasey Chambers, Lee Kernaghan. Along with James Reyne/Mark Seymour, The Songbirds (Beccy Cole, Sara Storer, Gina Jeffreys), Steve Forde, The Sunny Cowgirls, Morgan Evans & Paul Greene.Over 30 hours of non stop entertainment including Bull Ride Spectacular, Showtime FMX Yamaha Stunt Team, Bundy Bar, Holden Grunt Off, Lightforce Australian National Circlework Competition, Family Entertainment and loads more.Tickets can be purchased online www.deniutemuster.com.au or call 03 5881 3388. Buy now and SAVE.Ticket includes camping and ammenities.
2008 will showcase the Cream of OZ Music with a smorgasbord of Australia's contemporary, rock and country music royalty performing live each night on the Main Stage.
The 10th Birthday is going to rock the Deniliquin Plains with headline acts confirmed being:
The Living End Kasey Chambers Lee Kernaghan
along with:
James Reyne & Mark Seymour
The Songbirds (Beccy Cole, Gina Jeffreys & Sara Storer)
Steve Forde
The Sunny Cowgirls
Morgan Evans
Paul Greene and more!
Also expect to be entertained with the Day Stage (Waterhole Bar) featuring talented up and coming artists performing throughout each day - 12 hours of non stop live day music over the 2 days.

On October 2, 1999, Deniliquin wrote itself into history claiming the Guinness Book of Records title for the largest parade of legally registered utes in the world.
In March 1999, a small group of community minded people led by Council's then Tourism Manager, got together with the aim to start a rural themed festival to bring visitors to Deniliquin, our beautiful vibrant town on the edge of the outback.
Many suggestions were raised and discussions centered on the shape and genre of the new festival, what was unanimously agreed though, was that it must showcase our pride of our unique Deniliquin way of life.

Hence the Deni - Play on the Plains Festival was conceived, a festival to be held on the flattest, natural, open plains on earth, ute culture an intrinsic part of Deniliquin, would play a major part of the festival and hence the Deni World Record Ute Muster burst into the national psyche.
An amazing 2839 drivers took part, clearly establishing Deniliquin as the ute capital of the world and wrote itself into history claiming the Guinness Book of Records title for the largest parade of legally registered utes in the World.

A new world record bid has been held as part of the annual Play on the Plains Festival each September/October NSW Labour Day Long weekend since then, bringing more and more utes and visitors to our town every year. 2007 Current record stands at 6,235 utes

Our Festival is a non for profit community event, run by 5 staff, a committee of volunteers and a huge support for our local businesses, organisations, sponsors and volunteers.

Italian Week 2008 Festival Program

2008-06-11T19:23:00.000-07:00

Let yourself be a part of a thrilling, amazing, entertaining and above all mystifying adventure through Italy. Italian Week 2008, the adventure awaits YOU.

come feel the passion

Monday 26th May 2008

The Ultimate Coffee Experience

10am Di Bella Coffee 82 Abbotsford Road, Bowen Hills

Traditional Cupping - This 2 hour course will begin will a full detailed factory tour where you will learn about coffee right from crop to cup giving you ‘ The Ultimate Coffee Experience’. We will then venture into the tasting room where you will have the chance to taste the differences between our unique Di Bella blends. Di Bella Coffee aims to improve coffee standards in people’s homes and cafes by providing education on all aspects of coffee and its use. We are always happy to take a hands-on approach to teaching you how to use your coffee equipment, offer advice or give tips on how to make that elusive ‘perfect’ cup of coffee. Tickets $20 Numbers Strictly Limited and Bookings Essential Phone (07) 3252 5858 . Read More

Barista Skills 2pm – 4pm Di Bella Coffee, 82 Abbotsford Road, Bowen Hills

This 2 hour course will begin will a full detailed factory tour where you will learn about coffee right from crop to cup giving you ‘The Ultimate Coffee Experience’. In this course you will experience an in depth approach to the art in coffee making! You will learn about the important techniques in coffee extraction and even discover the secret on how to turn milk into silk! The word barista (plural: baristi [masculine or mixed sex] or bariste [feminine]) is of Italian origin. In Italy, a barista is a bartender', who typically works behind a counter, serving both hot (such as espresso) and cold alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.Tickets $20 Numbers Strictly Limited and Bookings Essential Phone (07) 3252 5858 . Read More

Architecture – Association Toscani nel Mondo for QLD e NT Monday 26th May, 6.00 pm.

The Association Toscani nel Mondo del Queensland & N. T. will organize a conference by Arch. Alessandro Barocchi on the subject: “Firenze, capoluogo della Toscana, genesi d’una citta’ dall’eta’ romana ad oggi”, c/o Cortina Restaurant, Sandgate Rd., Nundah. Refreshment will follow with typical food and Tuscan wine. Ticket $ 25. Bookings by 23 May: Association Toscani nel Mondo del Qld. & N.T. segreteria@toscaniqldnt.org.au - Tel.no. 32525049 gvittori@bigpond.com – tel. no. 0404542714

Tuesday 27th May

Literary evening with Susan Parisi presenting ‘Blood of Dreams’ - At Viale Canova and Dolci Sapori, 828 Sandgate Road, Clayfield - 6pm

The Italian Consulate for Queensland and the Northern Territory and the Dante Alighieri Society of Brisbane are proud to present Susan Parisi, author of Blood of Dreams. You are invited to meet Susan Parisi, author of Blood of Dreams at the launch of her novel of intrigue in the time of Carnevale. Come along and share the flavours and scents and sounds and mystery and passion and colours of the Venice of Casanova’s day.Susan’s award winning novel Blood of Dreams is an erotically-charged story of obsession, betrayal and murder that has been compared with Patrick Suskind’s Perfume and the lush historical fiction of Sarah Dunant. Set during the hedonism of Carnevale in 18th century Venice, Blood of Dreams is a complex journey of splendour and sacrifice. Sponsored by Dolci Sapori and Viale Canova, this literary event proudly supports The Official Italian Week celebrations . Tickets $30.00 Places are strictly limited. Bookings close Friday May 23rd. Read More SOLD OUT

Italian Week Cup Wednesday 28th of May - Sponsored by Di Bella Coffee at Brisbane City Football Club from 6.00pm A fun filled evening of calcetto (5 a side half field soccer match). As current world champions, soccer is part of daily life in Italy and for this evening you can put together a team and play against other teams in 10 minute a side halves. To organise a team, or book a table for the Italia Cup please direct all inquires to Brisbane City Football Club Phone: (07) 3356 8834 Our office hours are between 6pm-9pm Monday to Thursday. Fax: (07) 3356 5144 Email: secretary@brisbanecityfootball.com.au Brisbane City Football Club , Spencer Park , 42 Newbery Street Newmarket Qld 4051 More Information

Thursday 29th May

The Ultimate Coffee Experience Di Bella Coffee Head Office, 82 Abbotsford Road, Bowen Hills 10am till 12.00pm

Traditional Cupping - This 2 hour course will begin will a full detailed factory tour where you will learn about coffee right from crop to cup giving you ‘ The Ultimate Coffee Experience’. We will then venture into the tasting room where you will have the chance to taste the differences between our unique Di Bella blends. Phillip Di Bella Says “Everyone knows Italians mastered coffee, and a lot of the first coffee makers in Australia were Italian migrants. They brought the coffee culture with them, but everyone who’s manufactured coffee here has done it exactly as they do in Italy." Tickets $20 Numbers Strictly Limited and Bookings Essential Phone (07) 3252 5858 . Read More

An Encounter with Gioachino Rossini 6.30pm Lyric Theatre, QPAC.

As part of its 2008 season Opera Queensland presents ‘The Barber of Seville’ . Sung in Italian with projected English translations.

The Barber of Seville , or The Useless Precaution (Il barbiere di Siviglia, ossia L'inutile precauzione) is an opera buffa in two acts by Gioachino Rossini with a libretto (based on Beaumarchais's comedy Le Barbier de Séville) by Cesare Sterbini. The première (under the title Almaviva, or the Useless Precaution) took place on February 20, 1816, at the Teatro Argentina, Rome. Act 1 - The square in front of Dr. Bartolo's house. In a public square outside Dr. Bartolo's house a band of musicians and a poor student named Lindoro are serenading, to no avail, the window of Rosina ("Ecco ridente in cielo"/"There laughing in the sky"). Lindoro, who is really Count Almaviva in disguise, hopes to make the beautiful Rosina love him for himself - not his money. Almaviva pays off the musicians who then depart, leaving him to brood alone.

Featuring the Opera Queensland Chorus and The Queensland Orchestra Book tickets

Friday 30th May

Sebastian Di Mauro Art Exhibition and presentation 7pm By Invitation. In conjunction with the QUT Art Museum Art exhibition and discussion featuring Sebastian Di Mauro, a significant Australian contemporary. His work was featured in the first National Gallery Sculpture Prize at the National Gallery and has been selected for every major sculpture prize in Australia. Sebastian is a Senior Lecturer at the Queensland College of Art, Griffith University and since 1987 he has held over 35 solo exhibitions. His work has been included in excess of 90 group exhibitions and has been exhibited in Australia, Europe and Asia. Read More

Saturday 31st May

Italian Style Down Under: QUT Art Museum 10am FREE

Elio Marzullo and Bruce Tully. Italian Born Elio Marzullo of fashion house Elio Moda and Bruce Tully from Depazzi will discuss the influence of Italian design on their respective practices. Elio Marzullo has taken a distinctive and personal approach to fashion, bridging the gap between Italian and Australian styles working towards a greater style consciousness down under. Based largely on the Australian opal, the Depazzi jewellery collection has been uniquely influenced by Italian design due to the training of Bruce Tully who has combined with an extraordinary team of people we have attracted including: Elisabetta Gucci, tutors in Italy, photographer Richard De Chazal, designer Eva Burgija, media advisor Selena Wallace, our craftsmen, the media and many others who have believed in Depazzi from conception." Bookings are essential. Contact QUT Art Museum 07 3138 5370 http://www.artmuseum.qut.com

Italian Food and Wine at Sirianni’s Fine Foods at the Emporium - 10.00am to 2.00pm

Hosted by Sirianni Fine Foods and featuring wine tastings from Ballandean Estates Wines. Showcasing Italian producers, Sirianni’s Fine Foods brings together as selection of Italian food and beverage suppliers to offer exhibitions and tastings. Sample exquisite products from famous Italian gastronomic icons During the day, Ballandean Estates Wines producers of renowned wines and hosts of events such as ‘Opera in the Vineyard’ provide a window into the world of wines made in the Italian Tradition with which to toast the delicacies of the Italian culinary experience.

An Encounter with Gioachino Rossini 1.30pm Lyric Theatre, QPAC.

As part of its 2008 season Opera Queensland presents ‘The Barber of Seville’ . Sung in Italian with projected English translations.

The Barber of Seville , or The Useless Precaution (Il barbiere di Siviglia, ossia L'inutile precauzione) is an opera buffa in two acts by Gioachino Rossini with a libretto (based on Beaumarchais's comedy Le Barbier de Séville) by Cesare Sterbini. The première (under the title Almaviva, or the Useless Precaution) took place on February 20, 1816, at the Teatro Argentina, Rome. Act 1 - The square in front of Dr. Bartolo's house. In a public square outside Dr. Bartolo's house a band of musicians and a poor student named Lindoro are serenading, to no avail, the window of Rosina ("Ecco ridente in cielo"/"There laughing in the sky"). Lindoro, who is really Count Almaviva in disguise, hopes to make the beautiful Rosina love him for himself - not his money. Almaviva pays off the musicians who then depart, leaving him to brood alone.

Featuring the Opera Queensland Chorus and The Queensland Orchestra Book tickets

Rosario La Spina Puccini Spectacular St John’s Cathedral - 8pm

Internationally renowned artist born in Brisbane Italian/Australian Tenor with experiences at ‘La Scala di Milano’ Rosario La Spina recreates the power and passion of Italian composer Giacomo Puccini as we mark the 150th anniversary of his birth. You will be moved by beautifully stirring arias and choruses from Turandot, Madama Butterfly and La Bohème then experience a full production of Act I of Tosca, culminating in the magnificent Te Deum procession. With a star-studded cast in the majestic surrounds of St John’s Cathedral, this spectacular celebration of Puccini’s extraordinary musical legacy will inspire and uplift. Jacqueline Mabardi as Tosca, Rosario La Spina as Cavaradossi, Jeffrey Black as Scarpia Brisbane Symphony Orchestra & The Queensland Choir, conducted by Antoni Bonetti. Sat 31 May - 8pm - (2 hrs) - St John’s Cathedral - 373 Ann St, Brisbane Bookings 3847 1717 - $35 Adult $30 4MBS Subs/conc SOLD OUT

Sunday 1st June 12.00pm to 4.00pm Suncorp Piazza Southbank

Music Concert on the Sarina Russo Stage Featuring:

The Finalists of the Pellegrino scholarship, Since 2000 the Consulate of Italy to Queensland and the Northern Territory, together with the founder of the Pellegrino Scholarship, Cav. Steve Pellegrino, have given opportunities to young aspiring artists to further their skills and knowledge in an Italian prestigious University or cultural institution. At Italian Week 2008 the finalists of these young Italian/Australian artists will perform to a live audience and a panel of esteemed judges. The successful artist will receive the annual “Pellegrino Scholarship”. Young, local and promising artists coming to you live from Southbank’s Suncorp Piazza. Commencing from 2008 the winner will have the possibility to attend the university of music of Giulio Rapetti, MOGOL, C.E.T. (Centro Europeo Toscolano) http://www.cetmusic.it/ Poet, composer, author of the most known songs of the last 50 years, Mogol worked with the best Italian singer ever including Lucio Battisti (whose songs are considered immortal), Mina, Celentano, Gianni Morandi.

Enza Pantano started singing from a young age, you could say it’s in her blood, coming from a family of singers and entertainers. She started getting attention and accolades very early in her career both here in Australia and overseas, winning various awards throughout Italy in a concert singing tour which featured singers from all over Europe.Over the years she has worked with many International & Australian artists. With her regular appearances on "Hey Hey Its Saturday" & The "Midday Show" as backing vocalist, she has worked with a very high profile group of people such as: Tom Jones, Joe Cocker, Barry Manilow, Thelma Houston, Bonnie Raitt, Roger Daltry, Chaka Khan, The Commodores, Keb Mo and The Doobie Brothers, to name just a few.Equally the Australia artists have been just as impressive; Tina Arena, Marica Hines, Venetta Fields, Billy Thorpe, Ross Wilson, Jack Jones, Peter Cupples plus many more, from all genres of the music industry. Read More

Peter Cupples love of Italy resulted in him writing many songs in Italian and performing with his Italian-Australian daughter Georgia. They will sing original material together for the first time in public. Peter Cupples, Australian singer, songwriter and producer whose career spans several decades, commencing as lead singer of 70's band Stylus, first came into prominence in 1975 as lead singer and songwriter for the blue-eyed soul band Stylus. Stylus released four albums which included such hits as 'Summer Breeze' 'World of Make/believe' 'So much Love' and 'Work out fine' to name a few. Peter works with many charity’s, recently writing songs for the ‘Make a Wish foundation’ and the ‘Sacred Heart foundation’. Peter also wrote the song ‘Best of the Best’ for the racing hall of fame, and the kangaroo’s team of the century tribute. Read More

Georgia Cupples is the daughter of well known Australian singer Peter Cupples, Georgia, is 14 years old and attends All Hallows secondary school in Brisbane. Georgia from a young age has displayed a real natural ability with music, even though she has studied singing both privately and at the Brisbane conservatorium of music, its her natural ear for music that has seen her progress so quickly to become a very consummate performer.

Georgia is extremely creative, and has written some very fine songs, one of which she will perform at the concert celebrating Italian week. Read More

Alex Raineri 14 year old Alex Raineri is a young Australian-Italian pianist and composer currently studying piano performance with Leah Horwitz OAM at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music, Selected internationally, Alex Raineri was the first young artist selected for a tour of America and Australia with the “Castles and Cathedrals” program launched in Melbourne at St Michaels Church in October where Alex was greeted with two standing ovations. Alex was the subject of a television feature story on Australian ABC television’s The 7.30 Report (2nd October 2006) and Sunday Arts (4th August 2007 and 3rd February 2008). Alex’s music is being played worldwide. Read More

Opera Queensland is Australia's second largest opera company. It performs a season of at least three opera productions each year as well as concerts and other performances throughout the state. Opera Queensland is delighted to be a part of the Italian Week celebrations, embracing and celebrating Italian operatic culture in Brisbane and Queensland. Opera Queensland is an integral part of the cultural infrastructure of Queensland and performs to an audience often in excess of 120,000 each year.The Company is deeply committed to playing a central role in the education of young Australians. Read More

Anna-Maria La Spina - Born in Brisbane, Italian-Australian, citizen of the world, when Anna talks about singing in her favourite garden, she is talking about Madison square garden, her other favourite haunts are Wembley stadium and the Roxy in Los Angeles. Anna, is not one ordinary singer. Two world tours under her belt with the 20 million+ album selling ‘Savage Garden’, gave her the opportunity to show both her prowess as a performer and her discipline as a vocal arranger. That same tour gave Anna the opportunity to perform on such heavyweight American & European TV dates as the 'tonight show with Jay Leno', 'Regis and Kathy Lee', the 'world music awards' in Monte Carlo and 'top of the pops' UK. She has also been seen singing alongside rock stars Ozzy Osborne and Slash from Guns'n'Roses. Read More

Fashion - Sunday 1st June 12.00pm to 4.00pm Suncorp Piazza Southbank

Elio Moda - For over 20 years Italian born designer Elio Marzullo, owner and creative director of the label Elio Moda, has developed a reputation for quality and excellence in fashion and personal styling and has successfully filled a gap in the Australian market with his award winning Elio Moda label. Known nationally for his classically chic and stylish designs, Elio is known locally for his depth of character and unique charisma that has won the hearts of a loyal client following. Through numerous fads and fashion movements Elio has persisted with his own ideas and in a manner unique to the design industry has incorporated passing trends subtly so to preserve a timeless flavour in his work Read More

Italian Motor Expo 2008 - Sunday 1st June 12.00pm to 4.00pm Southbank Parklands on in Little Stanley Street, the Italian Motor Vehicle Clubs will showcase Classic and contemporary Italian Motor Vehicles. See Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Ducati, Maserati and Lamborghini. The respective motor vehicle clubs will put on display a range of Italian motor vehicles, motorbikes and scooters from private collections, dealers and distributors. Sponsored By Shannons

Monday 2nd of June

La Dolce Vita, from 7pm to 11pm

Park Road Milton.In keeping with last year’s event to celebrate the Official Italian Week, La Dolce Vita has organised an evening of live music and entertainment for the ‘Festa della Repubblica’. Eat, drink and celebrate Italian Week at a party which will once again feature the Queensland Ferrari Club who will display a wide selection of cars on Park Road.

Melbourne Fringe Festival announce new team for 2008

2008-04-12T18:30:00.000-07:00

General Manager of The Age Melbourne Fringe Festival, David Gerrand, is excited to announce the appointment of Emily Sexton as Creative Producer for the 2008 festival.Emily has recently worked in Cultural Development in Frankston, managing outdoor arts programs as well as initiating a number of arts projects including "Ventana Latina", a Latin Fiesta, and developing youth programs involving Hip Hop artists Diafrix. In 2007 she co-produced 'Lulu vs Jack the Ripper' with boutique theatre company KumQuat Theatre, produced three works for independent company Theatre@Risk, and also conducted ongoing work with Sydney-based script development company Inscription. Emily has worked on projects in a number of festivals in Melbourne and Sydney, including the Next Wave Festival, High Vibes, Melbourne International Arts Festival and New Mardi Gras Arts Festival, as well as running a number of major festivals and events for Sydney University. She is currently in rehearsal for Gabrielle de Vietri's NEW08 work at the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art."I am very excited about working with Melbourne Fringe. The Fringe is a beacon for independent artists across Melbourne, showcasing some of the country's most interesting work, whilst also providing a forum for artists to meet others working in their field and inspire new projects. I am looking forward to working with others to create explosive, challenging, sexy, interesting works that capture imaginations and set ideas adrift" she said.Eloise Hinkley has been appointed as Communications Manager for The Age Melbourne Fringe Festival.Originally from New Zealand, Eloise studied acting and then completed a Bachelor of Broadcasting Communications from the New Zealand Broadcasting School. She was Marketing Coordinator for the New Zealand Drama School and Marketing Coordinator and Guest Liaison Officer at the Cork Film Festival. Eloise, now based in Melbourne, has been the Communications Manager for Melbourne Citymission for the past two years. www.melbournefringe.com.au

The Jerusalem Quartet Australian Tour

2008-04-12T18:28:00.001-07:00

The Jerusalem Quartet, The Hall, The Henrietta Barnett School, Central Square, Hampstead Garden Suburb, Sunday, April 13, 7.30pm

The Jerusalem Quartet continue to be in great demand as a dynamic classical music quartet, made up of two violinists, a viola and a cello player.

This year, they will perform at the Bath International Mozart Festival and begin an Australian tour in October. The Jerusalem Quartet have released two Shostakovich recordings, and a CD of music by Haydn, in spring 2004.

The quartet have received several music awards, including the Dutch Music Prize for the chamber music section in 2007 and the first Borletti-Buitoni Trust Award in 2003.
They were part of the first BBC New Generation Artists scheme between 1999 and 2001.

Melbourne Jazz 2008 Lineup and details

2008-04-12T18:23:00.000-07:00

SATURday 3 MAY12:00pm Piano for Kids: BMW Edge, Federation SquareBob Sedergreen Adults: $20 Children: $10 Bookings: Ticketmaster 1300 136 1665:30pm Jazz at Dusk: BMW Edge, Federation SquareJoe Chindamo: The Romantic ProjectFull: $49 Concession: $44 Bookings: Ticketmaster 1300 136 1669:00pm All Stars Series: The Palms at CrownKate Ceberano: So Much Beauty ... In Jazzhttp://www.kateceberano.com/Full: $69 Concession: $65 Bookings: Ticketek 1300 795 01210:30pm Club Session: Bennetts LaneLisa Young QuartetFull: $25 Bookings: Moshtix 1300 438 84912:00am ‘Round Midnight Jam: Bennetts LaneSam Keevers Trio featuring Gian SlaterFull: $15 Bookings: Moshtix 1300 438 849SUNday 4 MAY12:00pm Piano for Kids: BMW Edge, Federation SquareJoe ChindamoAdults: $20 Children: $10 Bookings: Ticketmaster 1300 136 1662:30pm Master Class: BMW Edge, Federation SquareCindy BlackmanFull: $35 Concession: $30 Bookings: Ticketmaster 1300 136 1664:00pm Master Class: BMW Edge, Federation SquareTomasz Stanko QuartetFull: $35 Concession: $30 Bookings: Ticketmaster 1300 136 16612:00am ‘Round Midnight Jam: Bennetts LaneSam Keevers Trio featuring Gian SlaterFull: $15 Bookings: Moshtix 1300 438 849WEDnesday 30 APRIL2:30pm Master Class: BMW Edge, Federation SquareDr. Abdullah Ibrahim: BudoFull: $35 Concession: $30 Bookings: Ticketmaster 1300 136 1668:30pm All Stars Series: The Palms at CrownJames Morrison: Hands OnFull: $69 Concession: $65 Bookings: Ticketek 1300 795 01210:30pm Club Session: Bennetts LaneJazz à Juan Révélations All StarsFull: $29 Bookings: Moshtix 1300 438 84912:00am ‘Round Midnight Jam: Bennetts LaneSam Keevers Trio featuring Gian SlaterFull: $15 Bookings: Moshtix 1300 438 849THURsday 1 MAY12:00pm Piano for Kids: BMW Edge, Federation SquareAaron ChoulaiAdults: $20 Children: $10 Bookings: Ticketmaster 1300 136 1662:30pm Master Class: BMW Edge, Federation SquareYamandú Costa TrioFull: $35 Concession: $30 Bookings: Ticketmaster 1300 136 1665:30pm Jazz at Dusk: BMW Edge, Federation SquareAllan Browne Quintet: The Drunken BoatFull: $49 Concession: $44 Bookings: Ticketmaster 1300 136 1669:30pm All Stars Series: The Palms at CrownYvette Johansson: The Ella Fitzgerald Showwith the Moovin’ and Groovin’ OrchestraFull: $65 Concession: $60 Bookings: Ticketek 1300 795 01210:30pm Club Session: Bennetts LaneYamandú Costa TrioFull: $59 Bookings: Moshtix 1300 438 84912:00am ‘Round Midnight Jam: Bennetts LaneSam Keevers Trio featuring Gian SlaterFull: $15 Bookings: Moshtix 1300 438 849
Message from the Artistic DirectorFor the occasion of our 10th anniversary,we have a dream program. I am delightedto announce the full program for MelbourneJazz 2008. The best international andAustralian acts will entertain you. Most ofthe international acts will play exclusivelyin Melbourne for one performance beforereturning home, a treat rarely realised onthe global jazz festival circuit. The MasterClasses will inspire you. The new Piano for Kids series willensure that your young ones participate fully. Many concertsare free – we want the Festival to be enjoyed by all! Such afeast is made possible thanks to the support of our privatesponsors and our public ones: the State Government ofVictoria and the City of Melbourne.Please Enjoy!Albert DadonDinner Jazz7:00pm every evening from 30 April to 4 Mayat Arintji Café & BarPerformance by Jon WeberBookings: Arintji Café & Bar (03) 9663 9900 orinfo@arintji.com.auFederation Square FreestageDaily 12:00pm – 5:30pm Yul Lull: VCA Music Indigenous Ensemble Jazz à Juan Révélations All Stars Moovin’ and Groovin’ Orchestra Monash University Big Band Monash University World Music Orchestra San LazaroFRIday 2 MAY12:00pm Piano for Kids: BMW Edge, Federation SquareJon WeberAdults: $20 Children: $10 Bookings: Ticketmaster 1300 136 1662:30pm Master Class: BMW Edge, Federation SquareTord Gustavsen TrioFull: $35 Concession: $30 Bookings: Ticketmaster 1300 136 1665:30pm Jazz at Dusk: BMW Edge, Federation SquareAaron Choulai SextetFull: $49 Concession: $44 Bookings: Ticketmaster 1300 136 1668:00pm All Stars Series: The Palms at CrownDouble Bill Lost and Found: Oehlers, Grabowsky & BeckMichelle Nicolle OctetFull: $55 Concession: $50 Bookings: Ticketek 1300 795 01210:30pm Club Session: Bennetts LaneDr. Abdullah Ibrahim Trio: Jacaranda BlueFull: $69 Bookings: Moshtix 1300 438 84912:00am ‘Round Midnight Jam: Bennetts LaneSam Keevers Trio featuring Gian SlaterFull: $15 Bookings: Moshtix 1300 438 8498:00pm All Legends Series: Hamer HallDouble Bill Tord Gustavsen TrioTomasz Stanko QuartetPremium: $115 A Reserve: $105 Concession: $99Bookings: Ticketmaster 1300 136 1668:00pm All Legends Series: Hamer HallYamandú CostaGuitar Sensation from BrazilPremium: $56.50 Concession: $49Bookings: Ticketmaster 1300 136 1668:00pm All Stars Series: The Palms at CrownCindy Blackman QuartetFull: $69 Concession: $65Bookings: Ticketek 1300 795 0128:00pm All Legends Series: The Regent TheatreHeadline Act Dr. Abdullah Ibrahim: EKAYAOpening Act Slava Grigoryan & Leonard GrigoryanPremium: $105 A Reserve: $99 Concession: $95Bookings: Ticketek 1300 795 0128:00pm All Legends Series: The Regent TheatreHeadline Act Kurt EllingOpening Act Les Enfants de DjangoPremium: $105 A Reserve: $99 Concession: $95Bookings: Ticketek 1300 795 012

Melbourne Jazz 2008

2008-04-12T18:18:00.000-07:00

Melbourne Jazz ’08, which will run over six days from 29 April to 4 May, is showcasing an international line-up this year, welcoming musicians from the USA, France, Brazil, Poland, South Africa and Norway and providing a platform for some of our home-grown artists. It starts and finishes with a bang: James Morrison will kick off the proceedings and the American jazz rock drummer Cindy Blackman will close the event with her quartet.

Romina Calabro, General Manager of Melbourne Jazz for the past two years, says that the festival is designed to involve the whole community, rather than be only available to a few jazz afficionados. There are Freestage concerts every day outdoors from 12pm to 6pm, Piano for Kids series and Master Classes at BMW Edge. Bennett’s Lane jazz venue will be the festival club for late night Club Sessions and Round Midnight jams, where the festival performers will drop in to play.

Calabro started out as a volunteer for Umbria Jazz Melbourne ‘05. This led to her employment at both Umbria Jazz 2005 and Umbria Jazz 2006 in Perugia, Italy, before becoming General Manager for Melbourne Jazz, working with the Artistic Director Albert Dadon. For the festival they have organised cultural exchanges of jazz musicians, this year with France. Jazz à Juan Révélations All Stars and Les Enfants de Django have been invited to Melbourne and Australian musicians Aaron Choulai, Joe Chindamo and James Morrison, who are playing at Melbourne Jazz ’08 will be going to the Jazz in Juan festival at Antibes Juan-les-Pins in France. This exchange will celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Melbourne Jazz and the 48th Jazz in Juan festivals.
Calabro is expecting an enthusiastic response to this year’s international artists, just as there was for last year’s American musicians Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea and McCoy Tyner. This year South African pianist Dr Abdullah Ibrahim (formerly known as Dollar Brand), who has played with John Coltrane and Ornette Colman, will be playing with his trio at the Regent Theatre, supported by our local heroes Slava and Leonard Grigoryan. Ibrahim, who left South Africa where it was forbidden to play jazz for the USA in the ‘70s, will also hold the first master class at BMW Edge on 30 April.

There will be many familiar well-loved Australian musicians taking part, Bob Sedergreen, Michelle Nicolle, Paul Grabowsky, Allan Browne, Jamie Oehlers and Yvette Johansson among them.

Of the artists performing at Hamer Hall, Tomasz Stanko from Poland, a legendary trumpeter and pioneer of free jazz with a career spanning over forty years, will play with his quartet. He won the first European Jazz Prize in 2002 and has twice won the International Jazz Album of the Year in the Australian Jazz Bell Awards. Tord Gustavsen from Norway, a romantic, lyrical pianist who draws inspiration from Caribbean music, blues, gospel and Scandinavian folk music will be playing with his trio. In 2006 his album The Ground was awarded the Australian Jazz Bell Award for International Album of the Year.

Among the artists staging concerts at The Palms at Crown, award winning singer and songwriter Kate Ceberano will perform material from her forthcoming album So Much Beauty, a collection of originals and re-workings of modern and classic tracks. Jazz and rock drummer Cindy Blackman is also a bandleader and composer. With her quartet she will be playing the final concert at The Palms at Crown on 4 May. She began her musical career as a New York street performer. Jazz fans know her as a disciple of legendary Miles Davis sideman, Tony Williams. Rock fans recognise her as the longtime drummer in the band of guitarist Lenny Kravitz.
There are 54 performances at Melbourne Jazz, which is an annual event and has just been granted another three years’ funding by the State Government of Victoria and the City of Melbourne. It promises to be a great celebration of jazz music, bringing together Australian and international musicians and sharing their music with old and young jazz fans in Melbourne. 2008 Melbourne Jazz FestivalDates/Times: 29 April – 4 May Bookings: Ticketmaster: 1300 136 166 for concerts at Hamer Hall, Master Classes, Piano for Kids and Jazz at DuskTicketek: 1300 795 012 for concerts at the Regent Theatre and The Palms at CrownMoshtix: 1300 438 849 for concerts at Bennetts LaneBookings and Full Program Details: http://www.melbournejazz.com/

National Celtic Festival.

2008-04-12T18:17:00.000-07:00

The sound of bagpipes resonated around Portarlington last night at the launch of the National Celtic Festival.

Guests were treated to a taste of everything Scottish, with Mayor Bruce Harwood taking part in the presentation of the haggis.

The event was held at the Ol'Duke in Portarlington.

Held over the Queen's Birthday long weekend, June 6 to 9, the National Celtic Festival is Australia's largest celebration of Celtic music and culture. It includes live music, dancing and food and craft stalls.

This year's festival will include three international acts including music from Brazen, Gaelic Storm and Scottish legends Battlefield Band. "It's said so often, but it is really true, the line-up this year is better than it has ever been," organiser Una McLinden said.
"We've got a bit of everything in this international mix."

Ms McLinden said she was blown away by the number of teenage bands around Australia who had applied to play.

Early bird tickets for the National Celtic Festival are on sale now at www.gpac.org.au or phone GPAC on (03) 5225 1200.

Into the Brightness

2008-04-12T18:07:00.000-07:00

Into the Brightness is a band that has been evolving for many years. From 1999-2003 some of the members played in a high-school punk band called Customa and a rock band The Bigger Picture. From 2003-2006 they played again with some new members in The Stackhats.

But now the band is… Into The BrightnessWe have come from a similar location, and have been influenced with similar music tastes… Each one of us has been doing different things over this past year of 2007.

From career building, to traveling around Australia, to remaining strong in the world… We have put much thought and prayers into the idea of reforming over this past year and have felt that we are all ready for a fresh new start… To bring our lives back into the music, and to share a little of God’s creativity with the world. We hope that our band brings many good things to the world, and that we can share with you who reads this right now, many good times…

http://www.intothebrightness.com/

CoastFest Aims and Objectives

2008-04-12T18:04:00.000-07:00

The role of the CoastFest Inc organization is to facilitate a yearly Festival which will take place on the Central Coast of NSW.

The Event will be primarily a music Festival and will encourage “non-mainstream” genres, such as Traditional Folk, World Music, Blues and Roots, as well as Alternative, Fusion and Contemporary Acoustic Music. The Festival will also be a celebration of the Art & Culture of the Central Coast and will include, dance, theatre, visual arts and crafts. It will also encourage participation by various cultural and community groups who will be able to demonstrate and share their skills, customs, beliefs and modes of spirituality, both during the festival and throughout the planning process.

The Festival will also be a celebration of the place where we live, home of the Darkinjung people and the “Land of Whale Dreaming”. The Festival will promote a sustainable future for the Central Coast and it’s people by encouraging the participation of environmental and conservation groups and speakers in our “EcoFest” area.

The Festival will be “not for profit”, however it will be managed so as to be financially sustainable, and able to cover costs, expenses and future development.

We will endeavour to implement systems and policies to run the organization and the Festival using principle which lessen the impact we have on our environment. During EcoFest and throughout the festival itself we will strive to demonstrate and encourage the sharing of knowledge, ideas, information and techniques which ensures a sustainable future for the people of the Central Coast. CoastFest will be more than a traditional “Folk Festival” , and it will evolve as time goes by. It will be for all of the people who come to it and make it what it is. It will be created by, and as a celebration for, the people of the Central Coast. Part of the aim of the organization will be to develop a new sense of community, through participation and interaction, and to be inclusive rather than exclusive. Much emphasis will be given to community involvement in the planning process itself, the Festival should then be seen as a culmination of community endeavour and collaboration.

The primary theme for CoastFest is Unity, Community, Family & Diversity, it demonstrates that we can all come together to celebrate our differences. As individuals, families, or community groups, with different skills, ideas and beliefs we can come together and learn from each other, while having a great time and create something special and unique for the people of the Central Coast.

CoastFest 2008

2008-04-12T17:58:00.000-07:00

Blues, Roots, World, Folk and Alternative Beats +Indigenous Space Drum & Fire Circle, Multicultural Dance, Healing and Environment Village.

5,6 and 7 September 2008

Point Wolstoncroft Sport and Recreation Camp, Kanagra Drive Gwandalan - Lake Maquarie
Central Coast NSW

The Festival will feature 3 days of celebration on the shores of beautiful Lake Maquarie, surrounded by water and bush-land with a range of cabin and lodge accommodation on offer, as well as waterfront, and bush camping.

As well as multiple performance stages, the festival will also include, dance, drumming, an Indigenous space, theatre, visual arts and crafts, children's activities, a healing and environmental area, a Tavern as well as lots of fantastic Market stalls, art installations and a themed spectacular on Saturday night.

More Info:
Call: 0434 948 197
Email: info@coastfest.org.au
website: http://www.coastfest.org.au/

Mildura Country Music Festival

2008-04-03T18:09:00.000-07:00

When Australian country music fans talk of the festival "biggies", a country city in Victoria now rates a mention alongside the Tamworth Festival and the Gympie Muster as one of the big three.

The major difference between the other two and the 22nd annual Mildura Country Music Festival that kicks off on September 26 is that Mildura is Australia's biggest showcase of Independent entertainers.

What that means in a nutshell is that you don't have the major, but the offset is that you get an unending cast of highly talented professional country music artists who aren't signed to major record label deals.

The Independent factor gives Mildura a very different complexion, and it's a successful formula that has worked admirably over the past twenty years. In 2008, more than 100 individual artists and groups will entertain over the 10-day period, and the roster comprises many award winners including Golden Guitar finalists and Star Maker winners. But then, when you consider that the Independent artists make up probably 95 percent of performers in the country music industry, and the calibre and achievements of the artists is well documented, it strikes home that there is a huge well of talent out there.

A large proportion of the artists performing at Mildura have highly successful recording and touring careers and big fan bases throughout Australia. With names like Lucky Starr, Craig Giles, Jeff Brown, Tracy Coster, Owen Blundell, Lee Forster, Glen Jones, Peter Pratt, Rodney Vincent, Tom Maxwell, Harmony James, Dean Perrett and Carter & Carter, you can gather a truckload of chart hits, popular albums, and recording and songwriting awards.

What Mildura has steadily developed is something that draws thousands of fans on an annual pilgrimage that would make many non-music lovers scratch their heads in bewilderment. Often driving thousands of kilometres, the fans converge on this beautiful town on the banks of the legendary Murray River for ten days of virtually non-stop country music, and the Mildura Festival has steadily built is own culture through the years. It's become the Mecca for the "empty-nesters" - the mature age couples whose kids have flown the coop, the ones who have the time to set out for two or three weeks holiday, and most importantly, those who have a deep love of the music. The wonderful part about Mildura in September is that not only is it country music heaven, it's also a great holiday destination.
The fans love the freedom of Mildura, and the value-added factor. For a start, virtually all the musical entertainment is free, (for the statistically inclined that's more than 800 hours worth), and the majority of the shows are multi-artist concerts. If you were paying, the value is certainly there, but in this free environment, everything's a bonus. The variety is amazing, with everything from high standard talent quests like the Victorian Champions of Champions, to crowd-winners like the Bush Balladeers.
The venues, 24 in all, spread from the City Mall providing all-day entertainment at central town venues in Mildura to outlying locations like Coomealla, Wentworth, Merbein, Red Cliffs, Irymple and Gol Gol.
The diamond in the crown for the past Twelve years has been the live concert and radio presentation of the Australian Independent Country Music Awards that recognise the achievements of the independent recording artists during the past year, and this year's entries are sure to again endorse the status of the event. Many previous finalist and winners like Kate Ballantyne, Vanya, Darren Coggan, Michael O'Rourke, Dianna Corcoran and Carter & Carter have gone on to snare finalist berths in the Golden Guitars, with some notable successes like 1999 Independent Award winner Brendon Walmsley now having won several Golden Guitars.
The culture of Mildura has built up on a real family factor, and that applies equally to the artists as well as the fans. There is a noticeable lack of urgency and panic during the festival, because if you miss a planned event on one day, you can usually catch up later in the week. The excitement factor is still there, but there's an element of control built in - and that's why the enjoyment factor is just as evident on day ten as the start. And the reason the artists enjoy it so much is that it's ten days of music, friendship and fun. Mildura is really a level playing field - no star billing, no support act tag, and certainly no room for egos.
The driving force behind the Mildura Festival is a small, overworked, and totally dedicated committee. For the fans it looks easy, but the organisation of an event the size and duration of Mildura encompasses a full 12 months of planning, and an awesome array of tasks from booking, accommodating and placing the 120 artists, arranging venue rosters, dealing with a multitude of local suppliers, traders, council and government departments, and tourism bodies.
Underpinning the festival are local radio stations HOT FM 106.7 which broadcasts 19 hours of country music daily as part of its normal music format, and Festival Radio 92.3 which reverts to a 24 hours per day country music format during the Mildura festival, focussing on the music of performers appearing at the festival.
So why do they (the organisers) drive themselves into the ground each year to make the Mildura Festival such a successful music and tourism event? Simple - they do it for the love of the music, they do it for the Independent Country Music artists, they do it for Mildura, and they do it for the fans. It's a terrific combination that has created one of Australia's most unique musical events.
The 22nd Mildura County Music Festival runs from Friday, September 26 to Sunday, October 5, 2008. Further information and programs can be obtained from 1800 039 043.-->-->

The Meredith Music Festival History

2008-04-03T18:08:00.001-07:00

Meredith is a small town halfway between Geelong and Ballarat, 90 kms due west of Melbourne. A pretty, distinctly rural Victorian town, it goes about its business quietly below the foothills of the Brisbane Ranges. It was once a prosperous, bustling hub for the district, and the stop for the Cobb and Co coaches en route to Ballarat and the Goldfields. But a century After The Gold Rush (there was a band playing in my head), it was a town like so many others in the country - in slow decline.
One sweltering December afternoon in 1989, local farmer Jack Nolan rode his tractor through disused farmland at the back of his family's property. This part of the land hadn't been seen by humans for years - its steep hills and thick vegetation had rendered it unsuitable for grazing. At the end of a typically long day on the land, Jack had decided to go a different way home.
The consistent drone of the diesel engine disturbed the pristine environment. Through the bracken, over the granite, the hazy heat of summer began to play tricks with Jack's mind. He became dizzy and lost his sense of direction, the foliage became thicker and his trusty tractor started behaving like a spooked Horse. He ploughed through the bush, branches flying as the tractor sped up. With a resounding thump that scared the animal life for miles the flighty Massey-Ferguson stopped. Suddenly a sense of The Other-World overwhelmed him. He became instantly and totally hyper-aware of his surroundings. He wiped the sweat from his eyes and was amazed and exhilarated by what he saw. The heat-haze had cleared, so had the thick bush. Jack was atop a plateau, staring wide-eyed at the most beautiful sight. He had stumbled upon a natural amphitheatre of immense dimensions.
''Hmmmm'', thought Jack. ''Build a stage, whack a heap of bands on one weekend, provide free camping and cheap food and there could be a totally independent festival of great live music every year.''
The Meredith Music Festival was born.....
Click here to view posters from years past
1991 was the festival's first year. A small but die-hard core of several hundred culturalists enjoyed a weekend of pure musical indulgence, devoid of the hassles of city living. They parked their cars on the site, very excited after the hour-and-a-half road trip from Melbourne and pitched their tents. They revelled in the atmosphere of free living, bring-your-own and no curfews. No grotty carpet, no bar queues, no taxi fares home. Something was brewing.
There was about 250 pioneers in total at this first one. It seemed like they all knew each other. Some had flax-weaving skills whilst others were highly-evolved fossickers. A natural order formed, work got done and the Harvest was bountiful.
1992 brought a crowd three times the size. Word had spread, both organically (Peelie, Mouse, Raccoon) and with some fertilizer (Rexy). They flocked to see the rock, the roll, the jazz, the punk, the funk, the ska, and the stuff that's beyond description being thumped through the giant sound system, in the usually tranquil environs of the lush natural setting. But mainly they came to let their weekend sprawl itself out under the stars, with some truly wild things providing the soundtrack, and to be part of one consciousness experiencing itself subjectively. Now here's Lloyd with the weather. By this stage the interlopers had left for the high country and an easy peace settled on the district. The bodgies and widgies had never been happier, frolicking in the sculptured ancient ironbarks with the Monarch butterflies. It was just a two-day event at this stage, there were no pre-sold tickets, and a free breakfast was cooked on the BBQ on Sunday morning. By Willie.
1993 came around and this time the crowd doubled. This was the year, Meredith historians agree, that the Festival really pricked the consciousness of fun-lovers everywhere. Word of mouth brought people from Sydney, Adelaide, Tasmania and even from the heavens (two brothers flew in by helicopter, complete with esky and tent). A bigger stage, a bigger PA, the best bands around and that start-of-summer-excitement were the ingredients for two of the best days on the entertainment calendar. This was also the year that the World Famous Meredith Gift was conceived, due to Spencer P. Jones being late for his Sunday spot.
Camping started to get serious, this was the year the celebrated 'Compound' was formed 'over the back'. The site had two distinct camping areas; the outer ring around the amphitheatre which was closest to the gate, and the hilly area over the back of the stage. The Compound was formed by a circle of cars and tents strategically arranged to deter would-be droppers-in dropping in so the high priests of a certain scene could relax unbothered. The Compound lasted many years, and from The Compound many a musician wandered down to the stage to play their set. The Compound made a huge and vital contribution to what Meredith was, and is. We salute you, The Compound. Is it still going? We know some of its constituents still attend Meredith, do they form a compound? Or has The Compound fractured? Please email Aunty Meredith if you know the answer.
1994 was another treat. Organisers were now being inundated with requests from bands to play at the Festival. The bill included several bands who have had great years since; Dirty Three, Magic Dirt, Spiderbait, Powdermonkeys (RIP), Fireballs and The Fauves to name a few. Anyone who witnessed the Dirty Three's soaring sonic emotions swirling around among the giant Ghost Gums or the Powdermonkeys seemingly never-ending incendiary rock workout at 3 in the morning got their money's worth. RIP Tim Hemmensley. This was another wild year on stage, where the bands on the lineup all seemed to form a perfect 'set'.
One former Meredith organizer, The Raccoon, was talking to Tim Hemensley at a pub in 1995. The Racoon was making a bit of old chat, talking a bit about Meredith. Tim was barely paying attention, until Raccoon said off-handedly that the Meredith organisers planned to have a bit more variety on the line-up the following year. "Variety?" exclaimed Tim, incredulously. "Fuck variety".
1995 hit and the organisers realised that the Festival was growing out of control. As a result tickets were limited for the first time, and sold on a first in, first served basis. There were no tickets sold at the gate. It sold out completely two weeks prior to the event. Tickets were $27. It was unfortunate for Festival regulars and for others who couldn't get a ticket, but organisers held firm. The site couldn't cope with many more people and plus, the grassroots, intimate and special appeal of the Festival needed to remain intact. The Festival has always been run under a policy of "better before bigger".
A dam had been put in, the stage was made bigger again and Leaping Larry L of RRR was installed as the host on the Sunday. Standout sets were put on by Magic Dirt, Rebecca's Empire, Spiderbait, Chris Wilson and Shane O'Mara, The Mark of Cain, Ricaine, Joel Silbersher and Charlie Owen, and the rain on Saturday was stopped by Combo La Revelacion, a 10 piece Latin-American band who inspired a 500-person conga line. Anyone who went to this Meredith or any of the ten after it would know what an impact Combo made at Meredith. They are perhaps the festival's biggest hit, and yes they indeed went on to hold down a ten-year residency at the event. Thankyou Jorge, Moses and all in the Combo.
The two brothers discarded the helicopter that year and arrived in a 10-berth motor home, complete with colour TV and all other mod-cons. They parked out the very back and put on a Lebanese BBQ which was attended by everyone in their paddock. Close by a large group of fun-lovers from the Jan Juc area had set up their own bush discotheque, complete with mirror ball dangling from a tree and dozens of fancy-dressed groovers. It is rumoured that one young man from this group did not see any bands at all.
1996, and for a while there it looked as though there would be no Festival this year and maybe forever. Tragically one of the three founding organisers was struck by a catastrophic illness, and a decision was made to abandon the Festival. Offers of help came pouring in; the idea of an 'Indoor Meredith' was floated and then sunk, the local townspeople's generosity was unbelievable and after much soul-searching it was decided to go ahead with the Sixth Annual Meredith Music Festival as a private benefit and partial fund-raiser for it's sick founder.
1996's Festival was a beauty. The quality and diversity of bands stepped up a notch, as did the prizes in the Gift (an unconventional foot race where prizes double for nude or underpanted place getters). Tex, Don and Charlie provided a genuine highlight, as did Snout, The Dumb Earth, The Mark Of Cain, Paradise Motel, Kim Salmon and the Surrealists, Chris Wilson and Shane O'Mara and the many other first-rate local acts. The weather was fine, the facilities were better and again the Festival sold well in advance. '96 was one of Aunty's favourite line-ups, again, it just had a certain balance to it; the lynchpin of which was Tex, Don and Charlie at Sunset (with Jim white on drums), which started slowly but soon won the hearts and minds of the crowd, whose cheering at the end of their set lasted many minutes after the band had left the stage.
Mulwaverly had taken up residence by this time, setting up camp in the same place every year, and bringing more and more elaborate structures to their camp. Their defining icon was a giant yellow 'M' taken from a MacDonald's store. This was also the year someone brought a two-storey high inflatable dog, which they plugged in to some power at the back of the amphitheatre. It was self-inflating, so they must have enjoyed watching it slowly rise to tower over the crowd from their anonymous position in the crowd.
Another tradition was borne this year, one that came to be known as The Arch Of Love. The Arch was about seven feet tall, made of cane, and wide enough for one person to walk through. It was probably made to be a garden arch, or arbour. It appeared on the foot-track up the hill, and those sitting nearby enjoyed people either choosing to walk through it, or walk around it. It turned up the next year, but with new decorations, from memory a mass of plastic vines and pink flowers were threaded through the cane. It has been there every year since, in the same place, in different costume. One year it was present in a tailored leopard skin suit. This had nothing to do with the organisers; this was brought along by a patron, and it has become an institution at Meredith. A tradition sprung up that if two people walked under it they had to kiss. The Raccoon spent one afternoon doing some social studies; most women-folk would go out of their way to walk through it, most men would deviate from their path if they were on target to walk through it. Says a lot doesn't it. Thankyou very much to whoever The Archkeeper is, please contact us via Ask Aunty Meredith: its about time we gave you Life Membership so you don't have to worry about buying a ticket every year.
About this time a group broke away from the Pelaton and settled in the area, making earthenware pots and selling them by the roadside. Their business failed and they fucked off. Fair enough too. Who needs more pots.
1997 was another soldout event. The festival spread its wings a little and included more artistes from intestate. Jebediah made their way over from WA, Custard and Not From There came from Brisbane to play, Crow came from Sydney. The legendary X reformed and showed some young dogs some old tricks, and the return of Dirty Three from parts unknown was something to behold. It was also the debut of a couple of Meredith favourites - special guest MCs Merrick and Rosso, and the wonderful Matt Walker and Ashley Davies. Tex Perkins came back with The Cruel Sea to a great reception and the first electronic act, Snog played. Perhaps best on ground was the legendary underground offbeat big band Loin Groin; the memory of singer Craigo out in the crowd inciting a riot of dancing will live long in the memory. And I think it's on film somewhere too. Better put that on a DVD sometime. Sometimes it's the bands with songs on the radio that pull the crowd, but the ones that don't have a record deal and have to move a crowd through sheer stagepersonship that win the day. That's why you'll often find bands with small following playing in Meredith timeslots usually reserved for popular bands at other events.
The Dumb Earth started Sunday morning in style, enjoying freshly made cocktails before starting their 9am set. So good they were invited back the next year.
Noota who draws the animal mascot each year came up with a frog for 1997. Each year there is some significance as to why the animal is chosen. And every animal must inhabit the site, be it indigenous or introduced. This was the first year we had a 'water' animal...frogs live in water. It poured with rain. We didn't learn our lesson.
1998 saw a few innovations - the introduction of MEREDOOF - Meredith's late night beats-fest thumped till dawn and was a total winner. Breakdancing was witnessed by several thousand astonished punters - the Wickid Force Breakers put down the cardboard and spun on their heads (don't know the technical term). Honeysmack, Frontside and Slieker totally slaughtered the big MEREDOOF crowd.
This year also saw the inception of The Pink Flamingo Yacht Club Bar. Meredith of course couldn't possibly have just a beer tent, no, no, no. A swank, late-nite and all day bar on the hill which glowed pink all night complete with nautical decor, with your hosts Commodore Pink Jazz and Commodore Bahamas Lite. Musical highlights were very many and included Meredith's first international acts: and what a way to start - San Francisco's The Make-up were just plain the best band in the world during their set. Joe Pernice was booked and advertised but cancelled not long before the festival; he is still the only artist to do so. The Meanies reformed and basically headlined to a very full amphitheatre who lapped it up. Wally fronted up on the Sunday with Even. Custard were great again, Sunday morning was a Gospel kinda thing with Kerri Simpson and Chris Wilson. Other notables were Something For Kate, Bodyjar, and Shihad.
The constant evolution of Meredith took a turn for the best this year, all the facilities, artists and d�r lifted a substantial amount. The festival took a giant, fancy-pantsed step forward. Meredith was now in technicolour.
1999 and The Pink Flamingo was under new management. Klaus and Heidi turned it into the Pink Flamingo Ski Lodge and served cocktails with their legendary Alpine Friendliness (TM). It's fair to say although the festival was again soldout and everyone had fun, strange weather meant a constant mood of expectancy hovered over the weekend. Or maybe it was just me. The weather will do that to you when you are actually out in it all weekend after six months of being stuck indoors mostly. International guests Cat Power and The Donnas were superb in different ways, Shihad rode the crest of popularity with a stupendous set, The Avalanches were a popular winner and Sixfthick nearly stole the whole show. A few things got a little wacky here and there over the course of the twenty acts. (Note to self - get more sleep before this year's event). Anyway, no-one seemed to mind too much. We set high standards here at Team Meredith.
Meredith 2000 was the festival's tenth year, and the theme was 'party like you're ten'. Saturday night was just astonishing: Tim Rogers solo at sunset, Combo La Revelacion, Regurgitator, Spiderbait, Resin Dogs and then MEREDOOF. The Posies duo Ken Stringfellow and Jon Auer got back together and made it to Meredith, and a heap more did as well, including Paul Dempsey, Augie March, The Fauves, John Butler Trio, Rocket Science, Testeagles, Porkers etc. Funny guys Dave Hughes and Greg Fleet cracked gags on the Sunday and The Gift was won by Richo the Plumber (three time champ).
Meredith 2001 was big. In the month preceding the festival the heaviest rainfalls in decades soaked into the site and come Saturday morning it was bedlam. Again, a water animal was the mascot - a duck. Still we didn't twig. There are only two access roads and by midmorning both of them had become totally inaccessible, despite organisers having called in the excavators the week before to dig the sludge out and replace it with rock, in places to depths of six feet. Eventually everybody got in and there were almost too many highlights to mention, but we'll try: Warped kicked off proceedings by arriving in front of the stage in a Valiant Charger and getting out, clambering up and rocking very very hard, particularly considering they had driven directly from Sydney to Meredith overnight. Loopy genius Bonnie Prince Billy eased out a sublime mid-afternoon set. John Butler Trio filled the amphitheatre in the late afternoon with their primal jam. Rocket Science made their Meredith hat trick and were one of the winners over the weekend; similarly Augie March exorcised some past Meredith demons with a sweet sweet hour just on dusk. Combo La Revelacion started their famous Latin party, again. TISM were TISM. Hilarious theatrics, hit tunes, hi-energy performance. You Am I started with a cover of Teenage Fanclub and rocked and rolled their way through one of the most Meredith memorable gigs of the whole 11 years. Dexter and Robbie from the Avalanches played a DJ set which turned the place into Party Central and really were pretty downright amazing. We think that will be the sort of gig where far more people will claim to have been there than there actually was; it was legendary before it had even finished. Wetmusik's gents thumped out the last MEREDOOF to the delight of several thousand hard-core partiers. Sunday was cruisey; Tai Chi was a huge success just after breakfast and will become a Meredith constant. Silver Ray were wonderful, and Bob Log III, well, that was one of the best things ever. Anywhere. We loved him. The Dave Graney Show was ideal for a lazy Sunday afternoon, someone won The Gift and The Drugs kicked in just when everyone thought they'd had enough.
The Twelfth Annual event had to be moved to a new site, as the previous eleven Merediths had been held on a part of the Nolan farm that was Crown Land. So with barely six months to get their schtick together, organizers started getting their schtick together. Excellent, hard working nature lovers turned up from all over the country to help. In a display of the kind of Utopia this planet should be, it was all hands to the pump as the workers dug, cleared, planted, fenced, built, pathed, planned and enjoyed the new site. They lived in caravans, vans, tents, cars, and ate, worked, slept and partied on the site, through all kinds of weather and many an unforeseen setback. They did a great job. The 2002 Meredith was an astounding success. Where to start? The Meredith Eye arrived for the first time and was full the whole time. MEREDOOF went to sleep with the fishes and hip hoppers hipped and hopped in its place. Meredith was open on Friday night for the first ever time - about 3000 people took advantage of the early entry to set up a great campsite and enjoy some fine performances, including Snout's last ever one, plus Dallas Crane and Dead Moon. There were some amazing artists - Bob Mould, Sleater-Kinney, Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, Lisa Miller, The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and about the best 90 minutes of live groove ever seen in the bush - Resin Dogs. The Supernatural Amphitheatre was a bit dusty, which made a mockery of the soggy conditions the previous year (cruel Mother Nature, why do you taunt us so?) but it didn't matter after a while. Organisers were inundated with compliments for the new site, their favourite one being "it's just like the old one". The Archkeeper found a good spot for The arch of Love on the new site. Mulwaverly were invited in first to pick themselves out a new home. Basically the layout was the same as the old site but in reverse, so it was a bit weird for those of us that were so used to the old one - it seemed like exactly the same place but everything was left handed.
Meredith 2003 showcased one of the organisers all-time favourite line-ups. The flavour changed a bit from the year before. In 2002, for the first year on the new site, plenty of old school rock and roll was in evidence. In 2003, more gentle elements were in evidence; the sublime pop of The Shins, just before they won the hearts and minds of the alterna-pop world, the hippety-hoppetty rambling poetry of Buck 65; plus The Sleepy Jackson, The Brunettes, Clare Bowditch, Augie March with a horn section at sunset, and Architecture In Helsinki. Having said that, two of the most supreme rock and roll heavyweights in music history delivered knockout sets: Radio Birdman and Beasts of Bourbon. Plus McLusky came over from Wales and became one of Meredith's favourite bands, to this day. Warped turned into uber-Warped on the Friday night, and several newish locals made impressive debuts; Treetops, Ground Components, Spod, Curse ov Dialect, Riff Random.
After the intense heat and dust of the year before, it was a decidedly cooler and drizzlier Meredith, but sometimes that aint a bad thing. There were about 9000 people on site, and it felt like a family.
The Outlands Ecoplex Cinema made its first appearance, and for the next few years became the underground hit of the summer.
Meredith 2004. Well. What can you say? Those that survived Tropical Meredith know what went on. The most eventful, astonishing Meredith ever. It featured, and will always be remembered for, the Dirty Three playing in an electrical storm. The whole district got pounded by a Hundred Year Storm. The festival was very, very nearly wiped out. Cancelled. Finished. It hit hard on the Friday Night - you could see the black clouds gathering in the North, occasionally issuing lightning strikes in the near distance. Then it gathered momentum and headed straight for the site, the temperature dropped and the wind got up so fiercely Jack Nolan said he hadn't seen weather like it, and he's been on that land for over 60 years. Then the most brutal storm hit the site - sideways, pelting rain, cyclonic winds that flattened tents, broke trees in half, pulled over fences; gigantic electrical activity in the skies...it was biblical. So much water had come out of the skies so quickly that rivers - torrents in fact - started to carve out gullies and ravines on the site. It was a tad full-on for our liking.
Then something remarkable happened again - the storm moved on, leaving everyone on site to assess things - everyone was ok, the show went on - in fact the bands played on (thanks the redsunband). But then the storm changed direction, spun around, came back and pounded us again, every bit as hard save for the wind. It was incredible. Anyway....by the Saturday the sun was out, everyone was in a good mood and looking forward to yet another Meredith. The storms started brewing again, and gathering in the same place as the night before, we started getting radio reports of nearby towns having to sandbag to stop the streets getting washed away...the anxiety and tension was again at a maximum, just when Dirty Three took the stage. Again, the temperature dropped, and a little drizzle started, but SOMEHOW the storm literally split in half and passed either side of the site, so the crowd could see the storm at sunset, but not be part of it. Witnessing the artists who have no peer when it comes to live expression, in the surrounds of the Supernatural Amphitheatre, ten years and one day after they first did so a gigantic backdrop of forked lightning which lit up the whole district...well...what can you say?
Apart from the Dirty Three, highlights including Hilltop Hoods who had one of the biggest crowds ever assembled in the Supernatural going crazy, and Spiderbait, Ground Components, Young Heart Attack, Wolfmother, M Ward, Dexter, The RedeYes, and well, just about everyone.
On the Sunday, just before the Gift, a man named J.K entered the amphitheatre to a standing ovation that lasted several minutes. He took the stage to a hero's welcome. Why? Because he'd just run 210 kms from Langwarrin to Meredith. In the nude. JK had been the runner-up in the Meredith Gift twice, he fell over while in the lead in another, and finally won it the year before only to have been stripped of the title after claims of a break. Hi story made the daily papers, the sports bulletins of the national TV news, and we had regular reports in the days leading up to his arrival that he was on schedule to arrive on the Sunday. Big ups to Bill who played Chariots Of Fire through the PA as JK entered the arena, there wasn't a dry eye in the house. 2004 was a magic year in the history of Meredith.
Big ups to all the crew for toughing it out, also to the people who came up offering to help. Special mention to Alby, Mick, Quicky, Hoges and all the sparkies for hanging tough when the going got biblical. Likewise Chrisso and the Reception Committee, and Andrew and the Secure Forces. Jesus it was scary. The Raccoon's first child was born on the Friday; about the time Peelie learnt he was to be a father. A magic year.
And yes, after 2004, when we realized we'd chosen another water animal as mascot - the turtle - the game was up. No more water animals.
2005 came around and the first thing that should be said is that after the terrible weather of 04, had the finest weather the festival had ever enjoyed across all three days. Maybe as a result of the 04 rains, people brought more elaborate camping set-ups, more furniture, more tarps, and more cars. Everyone turned up earlier than ever before, and stayed later on the Sunday. So it was a busy Meredith. Many thought it was the best Meredith ever, but it did feel awfully...easy...after the emotion of the previous year.
Not that anything went wrong, in fact everything went right. The mirror-ball cow that got rustled the year before sepnt the weekend swingin' in the breeze. Skipper, James, Rob and The Lighting Dept out-did themselves. Out of ten, Aunty Meredith gave them 1.5 million. They had turned the site into a wonderland. A Royal Tennis Court was built near the vicarage and the vast field of canola were harvested and made into fine canoli. 2005 was the first year without our General Manager of several years, Stoopin' Benny Sideways, our resident canoli-eatin' champeen. Coooommme baaaaaaaaaaaaaaack Ben, coooome baaaaack.
Meredith FM was installed; on a certain FM frequency within several miles of the site patrons could tune into a broadcast of the acts on stage. So you could listen whilst in your car on the way, or at your campsite. I'm sure it's illegal. Very handy foir traffic updates though, via our Eye in The Sky Kristie.
Musical highlights included Blackalicious, who could only play on the Sunday due to their touring schedule, King Marong, Matt Walker and Ash Davies (in fact it was my fave Sunday ever), Stephen Malkmus and The Jicks, Sons and Daughters, Wolfmother, Airbourne, Cut Copy, Peeping Tom, The Grates, and perhaps best on ground at the mystical 2am Friday timeslot: You Am I, in form. Again, the highlights were too many to mention. The Mystery Act was tried in 05, Mr Bob Log III flew all the way from Tucson Arizona to be that guy. He fell victim to the expectations...by the time the event came round, folks were expecting The Beatles to reform and play at 10pm Saturday night. He put in the most committed, action-packed rock and roll performance you could wish to see and won many new hearts. Thankyou Bob.
True live were on the best things on site; animal, vegetable or mineral.
A giant circus tent was installed by a troupe of Brazilian clowns (true story), which provided shade, shelter, warmth, and massages. It was called Heaven. A 24-hour convenience store was set up inside called Heaven Eleven. Dry cleaning was available on the third floor.
Everything went extremely smoothly. Notes to self for the following year included update the recycling system, reducing the crowd size by about a thousand, and
2006 is coming around fast. Over the past few years, those that live and work on the site in the months before and after the event have been watching a family of wedge-tailed eagles not far from camp. They have built a nest, and the crew have watched in awe as the chicks have hatched and learnt to fly. As you may know, Wedgies are huge, huge birds of prey, and throughout the year the adult birds can be seen Circling High and Wide above the site. So this year's mascot? The wedge-tail eagle. Reggie The Wedgie.
2006 will be Meredith's sixteenth year. Time for a sweet one we think.

The Meredith Music Festival

2008-04-03T18:07:00.000-07:00

The Meredith Music Festival is held over three days every December on private farmland in Victoria, Australia. The nearest rural town is Meredith, which is between the regional cities of Geelong and Ballarat. The closest metropolitan city is Melbourne, 90 kilometres away.
Meredith is an outdoor camping festival in Australian bushland. The farmland is renamed the Meredith Supernatural Amphitheatre for the event; the natural amphitheatre itself is where the bands play. The surrounding areas – with names such as Spring Valley, North Pines, Mulwaverley, Tasmania and Sanctuary Cove host bush camping. Most people sleep in tents or vans. Most also erect some kind of shelter or temporary lounging zones at their campsites in which to relax and muck about with their friends while not watching bands.
The band-viewing area, the amphitheatre, is spectacular. There is only one stage at Meredith, which aims to get rid of the mad rushing between stages at other outdoor music festivals as well as concentrate people’s attention on the music. Views from around the amphitheatre are unimpeded. The stage is nestled in a grove of native Australian eucalypt trees.

Meredith prides itself on being non-commercial, which is a major point of difference between it and other outdoor music festivals. It is BYO alcohol only (in plastic or cans, not glass) – except for the Pink Flamingo Bar, open to those over 18 for cocktails. Meredith is not sponsored by anything other than itself. There is no commercial signage. There are no fires permitted, so punters in the main have to buy food, but the food on offer is cheap and good. There are few fast food outlets, for example. There is good coffee on sale. All in all it has a reputation for being laid-back, friendly and full of strange but good independent music from around the world.
There are several infamous added attractions at Meredith. The best-known is the wacky Meredith Gift, a nude running race. The name is taken from the Stawell Gift. The Meredith Gift has no rules except entrants must be nude. They vie for a trophy called The Golden Jocks. There is a sportsfield at the Meredith site with totem tennis sets and badminton courts. There are tai chi classes, regular appearances by an old-school brass band and the imposing Meredith Eye, which is a very large ferris wheel.

The land on which the festival takes place is owned by the Nolan family. The first festival, in 1991, attracted only 250 people. The last festival in 2006 attracted around 10,000. By 1994 bands were asking the festival’s organisers if they could be on the bill. Over the years artists to have played Meredith include Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Cat Power, The Avalanches, Blackalicious, The Shins, Dirty Three, Augie March, Will Oldham, Spiderbait, You Am I, The Presets, Datarock, Ground components, Midlake, Wolfmother and many more.

Being outdoors, Meredith is at the mercy of the weather – in 2001 heavy rain throughout the month preceding the festival caused some issues with road surfaces. 2002 was hot and dry and dust swirled around the amphitheatre. 2004 saw two fierce, cyclonic storms batter the site, to be followed by electrical storms that framed the stage in an eerie, apocalyptic light.
The 2008 Meredith Music Festival will be held on the 14th, 15th and 16th of December.
Meredith Music Festival had complaints from previous years in regards to the distribution of tickets. Because of the festival's building popularity, there has been a surge of general public interest in the event, which left some of the long-time veterans and fanatics of the event without tickets for the upcoming event. 'Aunty Meredith' (the personifictation of Meredith Music Festival) has now devised a plan that, the festival organisers think, will be fair on both parties - the veterans and the newcomers to the festival.

The first allocation is distributed through a 'Subscriber Ticket Ballot', which allows half of the total allocation of tickets randomly distributed to 'subscribers' already on MMF's email list. Subscribers will be notified by the 30th August and will need to purchase their tickets by the 6th September.

The second allocation will be sold in record stores in Melbourne, Geelong, Ballarat and the Surf Coast as has been the case in previous years. This will go onsale on the 10th of September.
The third allocation will be distributed online via an 'expert ticketing company'. Because of their previous relationship in ticketing sales, it would seem a possibility that Ticketek will be Meredith Music Festival's ticketing distributor - however this is not yet confirmed. The Online ticketing allocation will go onsale on the 12th September.

Then...finally...despite all our best efforts, we assume there will still be some disappointed people out there. So...in an effort to mend some potential broken hearts...there will be a finite quantity of tickets issued by Aunty at her compete personal discretion. These will be allocated to some of those that she considers to be, for example, most passionate, or deserving, or unlucky, or having traveled the farthest, or been there the most times, etcetera. These can only be applied for after the rest of the tickets have sold out.

The Meredith Music Festival has also spawned a new festival: the Golden Plains Festival, held early in the year; the 10th, 11th and 12th of March (Labour Day weekend)

Buses To LIVID 2003

2008-04-03T18:04:00.000-07:00

Buses To LIVID 2003 - Just The Ticket! posted:08/Sep
BRISBANE SHUTTLE SERVICEA shuttle service will run all day from Brisbane Transit Centre to Gregory Tce, Bowen Hills. Tickets available only on the day.

SUNSHINE COASTDeparture: 8.00am sharpNoosa Bus Terminus, Hastings St. NoosaDeparture: 8.45am sharpScotlyn Fair Arcade, Maroochydore.Tickets ($20.00 includes G.S.T) plus booking feeTickets will be available Monday 15th September 2003from Mosh Pit Music. (0754 792 777)

GOLD COAST Departure: 9.00am sharp Surfers Paradise Transit Centre, Beach Rd. Surfers Paradise.Tickets ($20.00 includes G.S.T) plus booking feeTickets will be available Monday 15th September 2003from Sunflower, Pacific Fair. (0755 381 850)
BYRON BAYDeparture: 8.30am sharp.Pick up:- Byron Bay Train Station, Jonson St. Byron Bay. Tickets ($25.00 includes G.S.T) plus booking feeTickets will be available Monday 15th September 2003from Soundwaves. (0266 856 762)

***** Summerland Service:- ***********If you live in Northern NSW region, Summerland coachesis putting on a service, that covers Lismore, Alstonville,Ballina and Lennox Heads. For further information ring themdirectly on Ph;-0266 856533. Fax;- 02 6685 6727.
All services return immediately after the last act, departing Gregory Tce.
LIVID Brisbane 2003 - Stage by Stage posted: 03/Sep
A couple of weeks back we announced a heap of amazing acts that will be heading to Australia in October to hit LIVID stages along the east coast…

LINKIN PARK, THE WHITE STRIPES, THE LIVING END, JURASSIC 5, BLACK REBEL MOTORCYLE CLUB, THE ROOTS, ME FIRST AND THE GIMME GIMMES, FRENZAL RHOMB, YEAH YEAH YEAHS, TURBONEGRO, RESIN DOGS, GOLDFINGER, ROCKET SCIENCE, BUTTERFINGERS, GELBISON, FOR AMUSEMENT ONLY
But wait…there’s more. Lots and lots more! There’ll be a whole bunch of other acts to catch at Livid and today we’re giving you the whole deal and laying it out stage by stage.
MAIN STAGE
TRIPLE J BIGTOP
LOUDMOUTH
ANNEX
ZOO STAGE
LINKIN PARK
JURASSIC 5
THE LIVING END
FRENZAL RHOMB
BANGARRA DANCERS
PACIFIER
ROCKET SCIENCE
GELBISON
SUNK LOTO
ROLLERBALL
BUTTERFINGERS
WHITE STRIPES
BLACK REBEL MOTORCYLE CLUB
YEAH YEAH YEAHS
LIARS
HAR MAR SUPERSTAR
WHIRLWIND HEAT
THE BEAUTIFUL GIRLS
LITTLE BIRDY
BUMBLEBEEZ
JESSIE MALIN
BUMBLEBEEZ
THE INFORMANTS
ME FIRST & THE GIMME GIMMES
TURBONEGRO
LESS THAN JAKE
GOLDFINGER
BOYSETSFIRE
THE HELLACOPTERS
TOE TO TOE
FOR AMUSEMENT ONLY
GAZOONGA ATTACK
AGAINST
RAZEL
ROSHAMBO
THE ROOTS
LAMB
RESIN DOGS
DEXTER
MAD PROFESSOR
RANSOM
MARK WALTON
CUT COPY
JOHNNY G
OFFCUTTS
NOODLES
DECLAN KELLY
THE BIRD
PRE SHRUNK
THE HERD
ELIXIR
FULL FATHOM FIVE
THE ANYONES
INTERCOOLER
IRON ON
LOVEJOY
MELANIE GEORGE
THE RED PAINTINGS

LAMB are probably best known for their stirring love song ‘Gorecki’ which you’ve likely heard at a wedding or two, but this UK duo have been around for years playing their beautiful music. Nicole Kidman sang parts of ‘Gorecki’ in Moulin Rouge, and yeah well…Nicole is a top actress isn’t she. Make sure you take some time to chill out and relax at Livid to the trip hop sounds of LAMB, only on the Annex stage.

LESS THAN JAKE is the definition of punk – one of the first songs they ever wrote was written for the sole purpose of pissing off their old neighbour. Since that time they’ve certainly graduated to bigger and better things, touring the world and pissing off the parents of teenagers everywhere! Don’t miss your chance to catch these all-ages faves at Livid 2003.

Headlining The Zoo stage will be Sydney outfit THE BIRD, who are fast developing a reputation as Sydney’s best live electronic dance group. Combining live drum ‘n’ bass breakbeats, electro synth lines and an organic interpretation of computer-generated forms of music, mixed with a bit of spontaneity and an unbridled passion for performing, THE BIRD have certainly worked hard to earn their reputation. No doubt they’ll also have an assortment of special guests on hand.
PACIFIER, Australia’s favourite adopted band is back for Livid! These hardworking rockers are back from a tour of Australia and New Zealand, and their brand of good ol’ rock is the perfect soundtrack to a Livid afternoon.

Brooklyn band LIARS face a tough task at Livid – living up to the “hardest rockin’ punk dance band EVER” tag placed on them by New York’s Time Out Magazine. Featuring Australian-born frontman Angus Andrew, LIARS may be one of the many bands emerging from the dirty New York underground rock scene, but rest assured that these guys have a sound that’s all their own. We’ll leave the final word to NME – “The best krunk-art noise apes in knitwear you’ll witness all century.”

PRE SHRUNK are famous for the kind of funk and grooves that only two bass players together can deliver, and they make a welcome addition to The Zoo stage with their genre-challenging sound. Sure to feature tracks off their latest album, Bestseller, plus some old favourites.

The Livid Annex has a reputation for not being afraid of a good party, and this year some of the best acts in the world will be on hand to keep the crowd moving. DEXTER is one such example. Also known for his work for The Avalanches, this DJ has been labeled by Grandmaster Flash as the most creative and innovative DJ in the world. Soon you’ll be able to judge for yourself. Any aspiring knob twiddler (of the musical kind) shouldn’t miss this lesson in perfection.

Challenging Turbonegro for the strangest act on this year’s bill, HAR MAR SUPERSTAR is set to draw a diverse crowd to his RnB (with a bit of breakdancing thrown in) infused performance on Triple J’s Bigtop stage. Not averse to wearing the odd pink shirt or cowboy-style fringed jacket, this Mixmag cover star and Ibiza DJ recently hit the big time thanks to a pash with Kate Moss. Ms Moss was only too happy to don a hairy monster’s suit and snog the Superstar for his Brothers and Sisters film clip. Warning – Har Mar is a hairy, out of shape middle-aged man, and he has been known to get down to his undies in concert. Don’t say we didn’t tell you!

The HELLACOPTERS have perfected American Rock n Roll without any pretention. This is surprising since the band is actually Swedish. Their success can be attributed to three little mantras to live by – play music that you would like to hear, keep the music makin’ muscle moving, and keep popping out albums like they’re going out of fashion.

Sydney band THE HERD are no strangers to controversy – their track “77%” is one of the most obviously political and controversial songs out this year, summing up the frustration that many people felt with the “White Australia” government. Don’t let the hype upstage the band though – THE HERD are known to be one of the best live Hip Hop acts around, and with good reason!
One of the most talked-about acts in the country at the moment is LITTLE BIRDY, featuring the gorgeous vocals of Katie Steele. Recently signed to Eleven (home to Silverchair and paulmac), this band seems destined for great things, and their sound is guaranteed to mellow the hearts of the toughest music critic.

There’s simply to much musical goodness going on here to blart on about each and every act on the LIVID 2003 bill. It’s all top quality and it’s all coming your way in October!
LIVID 2003 – On sale now. Get in while you still can! Sign up to the Livid mailing list for regular updates LIVID is an all ages/licensed event. You must bring photo ID if you wish to drink. Stage Diving and Moshing are activities that create dangers for both yourself and others, and are not permitted at Livid. Offenders will be evicted from the festival site without right to re-entry or refund. BRISBANE Saturday 18 OctoberRNA SHOWGROUNDSTickets on sale August 7 from: Ticketek, Rockinghorse, Skinnys, Sunflower Pacific Fair, Sunflower Oasis, Woody's, Pines Music Station, Butter Beats, Atlantis Music, Mosh Pit, Soundwaves (Byron), Choppers (Lismore)
Ticket Details: On Sale NOW, more info click here
2003 Brisbane Livid - posted 03 Aug

BRISBANE Saturday 18 October RNA SHOWGROUNDSBack for its 17th anniversary Livid is set to deliver its strongest and most diverse lineup ever. With all the elements you’ve grown to expect and a lot more.The Mainstage featuring some of the world’s biggest acts, JJJ Bigtop showcasing indie Rock/Pop at its finest, Loudmouth with some of the best punk rock acts on the planet, the Zoo stage with the best of young and emerging acts and the Annex along with the visual arts, the bizarre, food fairs, markets and extreme sports.
Brisbane Livid number 17 is on Saturday 18th in October, tickets are on sale now and we urge you not to wait because Livid number 17 promises to be HUGE. With it being the last show will be ready for a party and as it should be that party will be Brisbane, see you there.

Livid

2008-04-03T18:02:00.001-07:00

Livid, one of Australia’s most anticipated yearly outdoor music festivals, will be taking a year off in 2004 to return bigger and better in 2005.

The Livid Festival, Australia’s longest running outdoor music festival, has a history of bringing a diversity of new and established acts to the Australian public, from cutting edge up-and-comers to those that have earned the full weight of the “legend” label.
In recent years Livid has featured headliners such as Linkin Park, The White Stripes and Jurassic 5 (2003), Powderfinger and Oasis (2002), and during it’s 15 year life a host of other luminaries such as The Cure, Green Day, Morrissey, Lou Reed, The Offspring, Garbage, Muse, Devo, Sonic Youth and hundreds of other Australian and international artists, many making their first headlining appearances in this country in front of Livid’s always enthusiastic and energetic audiences.Given the scarcity of headline acts on this year’s international festival touring circuit the decision has now been made to allow Livid a one year hiatus in order to ensure the festival’s reputation for presenting only the best in line-ups.
Images from Brisbane Livid 2003.
A gallery of images taken at the Brisbane show has been posted here, who knows you may see yourself in the crowd if you went to the Brisbane show.
Reviews will be added in the next couple of days.

Thanks to Syney and Melbourne, Brisbane here we come!
(Update) Read some of the reviews of the Sydney event is up here.
Thanks to all those who went to the Sydney and Melbourne shows. To relive the memories and to get all the Brisbane folk in the mood we've posted a few pictures from the Sydney show on the site here.
Look for reviews of the Sydney and Melbourne shows over the next couple of days as they come to hand.

Homebake History

2008-04-03T17:58:00.000-07:00

You don't get a reputation for being Australia's premier all-local festival without actually coming up with the goods.. time after time. So to kick off the Homebake site it seems like a good idea to look back over the last few years and see exactly where Homebake has come from.The first Homebake, in 1996, was held at Belongil Fields in Byron Bay, on the far north coast of New South Wales.

And, as anyone who was there will testify, it deserves its nickname of "Mudbake": the term "bucketing down" doesn't even begin to explain how wet Homebake Numero Uno really was. But no rock festival veteran has ever let a little mud get in the way of a good party and, in spite of all and sundry copping a major drenching, 13 of Australia's best and brightest took to the stage.
Those in attendance were: Spiderbait, Tumbleweed, Silverchair, Regurgitator, The Mark of Cain, You Am I, Sidewinder, Magic Dirt, Fur, Powderfinger, Hardware, Screamfeeder and the first ever Triple J Unearthed band - a little rock outfit you might have heard of by the name of Grinspoon. 15,000 people got down and dirty - quite literally - for a day which has gone down in Oz rock history as certified legend.No rain next time around when Homebake lined up for Round Two between Christmas and New Year of the same year in the grounds of the University of Sydney. 16,000 came along for the ride, plus 29 bands on four stages including: Something For Kate, Pollyanna, Smudge, the Fauves, Flyspeak, the Underground Lovers, Frenzal Rhomb, The Mark of Cain, Tumbleweed, Spiderbait, Regurgitator, Sidewinder, Dirty Three, Swirl, Lodestar, Ammonia, Magic Dirt and Powderfinger.Next, we skip a year and head to the beginning of 1998, when Homebake went on the road for the first time with a massive East Coast tour.

Three big Saturdays in January saw the Homebake behemoth hit Melbourne, the Gold Coast and Sydney with a travelling line-up including: Spiderbait, Jebediah, Powderfinger, Screamfeeder, the Superjesus, Grinspoon, You Am I, Ammonia, Bluebottle Kiss, Tumbleweed, Pollyanna, Frenzal Rhomb, Tiddas and Underground Lovers. In Melbourne, additional acts included: Even, Crow, Rebecca's Empire, Blackeyed Susans, the Avalanches, Cosmic Psychos and the Mavis's.

The Gold Coast Homebake showcased: Pangaea, Shihad, Skunkhour, Toothfaeries, Big Heavy Stuff, Gaslight Radio, Sidewinder, Custard, Not From There, Emporium and Fur. And Sydney, struck by a massive thunderstorm mid-afternoon and returning the event to 1996's muddy beginnings, brought to the stage: Even, Crow, Shihad, Sidewinder, Big Heavy Stuff, Severed Heads, John Reed Club, Custard, Non Intentional Lifeform, Lantern, Lodestar, Something for Kate and Skunkhour. Needless to say, with the rain pouring down, the Homebake Big Top became the place to be.It was less than a year before Homebake struck again, this time for just one show - at Sydney's Domain on December 5th. 29 acts, including controversial performer Pauline Pantsdown, took to the stage that day. Others included: the Living End, Grinspoon, Jebediah, TISM, Spiderbait, the Avalanches, Toe to Toe, Something For Kate, Bodyjar, Nancy Vandal, the Feelers, the Whitlams, Finiscad, Ammonia, the Resin Dogs, Frenzal Rhomb, Screamfeeder, Not From There, Custard, Eskimo Joe, the Mavis's, Even, Primary, Endorphin, Ratcat, Karma County, Frontside, Sidewinder and Triple J "Get Baked" winner, Vapourware.And suddenly it was the end of the millennium and Homebake's itchy feet meant a return to the on-the-road experience once again. Gold Coast and Sydney were the locations for late-1999's concerts, with a stinking hot Queensland day and full-blown glorious Sydney sunshine providing perfect conditions in which to get Baked.

Appearing at both shows in 1999 were: Josh & Amiel, Area 7, the Avalanches, Dirty Three, Frenzal Rhomb, Gerling, Grinspoon, Jebediah, Alex Lloyd, Powderfinger, Resin Dogs, Silverchair, Something for Kate and Sonic Animation. Gold Coast additions included: the Whitlams, Soma Rasa, Sunk Loto, Sidewinder, Screamfeeder, Pretty Violet Stain, Rollerball, Not From There, Gota Cola and Custard; while Sydney also added: Big Heavy Stuff, Bluebottle Kiss, 51 Monday, Deadstar, Del-Emmas, Iota, the Monarchs, Killers on the Loose, Porkers, Pound System, Rumanastone, 78 Saab, Shihad and 28 Days.

Fast forward to our millenium version in 2000 - and then 2001 where together with producer, Alex Proyas (The Crow, IRobot etc) and director Topher Dow, Homebake 2001 entered its foray in to the world of major motion pictures with a guest starring role in the acclaimed film, 'Garage Days' starring Pian Miranda & Kick Gurry.

Two years in the planning and with an extremely tense and nail biting scene that had to be filmed in one take before our very live and real Homebake audience, Homebake hit cinema screens worldwide in 2002 courtesy of Garage Days.

Then came 2002, 2003 & 2004’s huge sold out birthday celebrations (see archive links) and phew, we've got our work cut out if we're going to top that lot!

2005 was literally ‘bigger than ben hur’ capped off by a very special performance by one New Zealand’s equivalent to Lennon & McCartney..ie; none other than the almighty Finn Brothers.
2006’s version and the line-up features the only act to have ever closed Homebake twice - Silverchair.

2007 asks just how much bigger than Ben Hur can we get and with many months spent coercing Australia's biggest internationally charting female fronted band ever, Homebake makes history once again with a special performance by The Divinyls + a cast of the finest Australian (& NZ) acts !

All that said folks, when you check out all the acts which have appeared at Homebake over the years, you can see why the festival has such a rockin' reputation for showcasing the best Australian (& New Zealand) bands.

To celebrate the history of Homebake, EMI Music in conjunction with Channel V have released a very special DVD documenting the first ten years of Homebake and titled, HOMEBAKE – THE FIRST TEN CHAPTERS.

Out now, this amazing DVD contains footage pertaining to numerous band performances over the years and includes, Silverchair, The Finn Brothers, Powderfinger, Wolfmother, Jet, Grinspoon, 1200 Techniques, Eskimo Joe, You Am I + many more.

Homebake 2007

2008-04-03T17:57:00.001-07:00

Ladies & gentlemen..Once again comes that time of the year, where Homebake HQ frantically places the finishing touches to an annual announcement reminding one & all that summer is looming and, that it will be the official start to the great Australian music festival period.

And thus, with all the fuss, excitement and usual glamour, Australia's most famous antipodean all star event can possibly muster, we are both beyond elation and incredibly relieved to finally announce our very special 13th anniversary being..HOMEBAKE 07 - It's The Ladies Domain!Over the years, Homebake has played host to a plethora of national and internationally famous local superstars, and has now matured to become one of Australia's most important and respected festival events, and for this very reason, we are always grateful for the devoted support of the public, media & local industry alike.Each year, HOMEBAKE has focused on particular themes of style - and, as our themes are always based on the continued respect of our most gracious performers, we've realised that it's about time we honour the ladies of our entertainment industry hence our 2007 theme 'It's The Ladies Domain'! Albeit that it would be impossible for us to focus entirely on the women of rock, Homebake 07 will feature (& play host to) many female participant acts as well as include the use of multimedia to honour the many ladies of our entertainment industry. So folks, we have a confession to make...& it's a confession that has even astounded all of us here at Homebake HQ. For the first time ever within all 13 versions of Homebake we can finally announce that our show finale will be performed by a female fronted act. And, may we add, not just any act ...in fact, statistically & historically, Australia's biggest internationally charting female fronted band ever! And so, with great pleasure, what better way for us to show our respect to the bands with the ladies (& those that don't!) than to present one of the greatest (& most awesome) antipodean artist line-ups featuring an array stars all presenting a variety of styles (pop, rock, dance, punk, hip hop, electronica etc) that will no doubt appeal to the most discerning of fans. With an ever growing demographic, Homebake 2007 'stars' will place emphasis on stage presentation showing the rest of the world that we can deliver the goods just as good (if not better) than international counterparts. So, read on carefully and start preparing plans to join us as we once again pay homage to the success of our local entertainment industry - and in particular the ladies. (Check artist page for full details). Each and every year The HOMEBAKE Festival embraces a number of charities & causes and this year we will be highlighting the work of Mission Australia. Mission Australia is one of the country's leading charities and community organisations, with a focus on helping young people and families in need, homeless people, and those looking for a sustainable job or needing training.

Mission Australia has more than 330 services across metropolitan, rural and regional Australia - in every State and Territory - which last year assisted 250,000 people. Mission Australia's CEO, Toby Hall, said the charity was extremely proud to be Homebake's 'cause' for 2007. "It's a perfect fit for us. As one of Australia's leading providers of support to young people in need, we're very excited about partnering with the country's biggest and best celebration of home-grown music and youth culture" said Toby. "Mission Australia offers a range of services to young people who are tackling serious issues, including homelessness, drug and alcohol abuse, mental illness, domestic violence, family conflict and long-term unemployment. Last year, Mission Australia assisted more than 10,000 young people get back on their feet. We're looking forward to working with Homebake and together raising awareness about - not only the issues facing young Australians - but also some of the solutions."

The proceeds of this year's HOMEBAKE artists signing tent will go to MISSION AUSTRALIA, and Homebake will assist to spread greater awareness for the efforts of this fine cause. For more info go to www.missionaustralia.com This year, HOMEBAKE also focuses its attention on the organization known as GetUp! Primarily known for it's internet base lobbying, the good folk of this amazing organization describe their work as "GetUp.org.au is about creating change on important national issues like climate change, Indigenous disadvantage and our human rights - and providing ways for people to get easily involved in shaping a progressive future for Australia. It's very exciting to be collaborating with Homebake to help give even more young Australians a real say on the direction of our country - and our globe".

Stay tuned as Homebake 07 devotes time as space to GetUp!. For further information, please visit: www.getup.org.au/ It's a huge & massive start to this female inspired line-up - our first 20 big names announced with many more to come - and totalling over forty combined artist and performers. HOMEBAKE 2007 - 'It's The Ladies Domain' is destined to be one of the most exciting & finest music festivals kicking off the summer period and will also feature a variety of extra activities and features including a bigger HOMEBAKE Cinema Tent featuring short films by up coming Australian producers and directors and put together by producer/actor extraordinaire, Kieron Darcy Smith (of Two Hands & Cave Fame), our famous international food fare, a plethora of market and information stalls, roving performers, surprises & much, much more.

It's a day packed to the brim with the hottest musical talent Australia (& NZ) has to offer and it's still the best value for money festival in town at only $82.50 + booking fee (extra changes apply via Ticketek). Note we provide this warning well in advance, HOMEBAKE 2006 did sell out in unprecedented and totally unexpected time, so please make sure to purchase tickets early to avoid disappointment (& hiked ebay prices!!). Stay tuned for a very special announcements & 'money can't buy' competitions via our presenting parties and don't forget the Hopetoun Hotel Incentive program whereby one lucky band gets to perform at Homebake. NB: - unfortunately due to increasingly strict licensing regulations, please note that HOMEBAKE 07 is an OVER 18'S ONLY event. We apologise in advance although rules and regulations have somewhat forced this new policy from hereonin. Whilst the countdown is on to the big day, we ask you to stay tuned for all the HOMEBAKE news.
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The Great Escape

2008-04-03T17:55:00.000-07:00

Sydney's best live-in festival, The Great Escape is back for another cracking Easter in 2007!Get along for another unforgettable Easter long weekend of music, camping and stacks more, with three jam-packed days and nights of leading international and Aussie acts rocking out right in your campsite!
Brought to you by the folk behind Cockatoo Island, The Great Escape continues the long tradition of great live-in festivals like Glastonbury and Coachella and transports it to the very heart of Sydney.

FESTIVAL HOURS
Campers: Days (Thu April 5 - Mon April 9). Hours (8.00am - 3am Fri/Sat/Sun)
Daytrippers: Fri 6/Sat 7/Sun 8 April (9.30am - Midnight)
Much more than a music festival, TGE'll keep you busy this Easter long weekend with:
Cabaret * Comedy * Cult Cinema * Circusworks * Acrobatics * Conspiracy Talks * Disco Bingo * Rockdog's Trivia * Freak Zone * Markets * Record & Collectables Fair * Token Cereal * Ping Pong Club * Totem Tennis Tournament * Sunrise Yoga * Art & Music Workshops * Pool Hall * Waterfront Beer Garden * & loads more...

Nestled on a riverbend only 25 minutes from the centre of Sydney, with its lush rolling hills and motley collection of old buildings, the sprawling Newington Armory is the perfect setting for a great escape. Dating back to the 1800's, the heritage-listed Armory features a huge range of abandoned and long-forgotten spaces, including a spooky gunpowder crypt, cavernous armament depots, hidden explosives bunkers, eerie cottages, tiny train stations, groves, glades and an old school working wharf. This Easter, we'll throw off the shackles of the past and turn the Armory into one awesome party venue!

FESTIVAL STAGES
The beating heart of festival, stake your place on the sloping lawns of the VILLAGE GREEN to catch all your fave big name bands rocking out into the night.Right on the waterfront, cosied up between towering old cranes and tiny train tracks, the RIVERSIDE STAGE takes over the Armory's century-old wharf to showcase the best of the fest's roots, funk and global grooves.Burlesque, risque and occasionally very naughty. Get stage-side and experience first-hand the exotic underworld of cabaret in a disused ammunition factory, BUNKER 8 CABARET.Home to festival faves like Disco Bingo and Rockdog’s Trivia the festival's very own version of the classic RSL (aka TIN SHED) also boasts an eclectic mix of international and Sydney hot shot bands.Shake it up, shake it down, get your booty all around in the Armory's stencil cutting and tool room, THE DANCEHALL.Get a panoramic view of the river, the mangroves and the crowd while you kick back, sip a chai and absorb the chilled tunes of THE TERRACE.

Earthcore

2008-04-03T17:49:00.001-07:00

Earthcore is Australia's largest and longest running outdoor dance music festival and electronic music events organisation. For twelve years Earthcore has hosted over 200 events ranging from massive 7 day outdoor festivals, weekly club nights, warehouse parties, one off large scale club raves, events on boats and even moving trains. The outdoor events are usually held in forest environments around Victoria, Australia, centering around all genres of dance music, but with offshoots into all areas that encompass the ever growing street culture.In line with the policy of promoting all aspects of electronic musicland, it's inspiration, derivatives and sources, bringing together a range of artistic and cultural pursuits.Each earthcore event features a large range of local, interstate and international artists, musicians and associated hangers-on.For more information about our events please go to our events roster.

our general philosophy
Earthcore endeavours to provide unique opportunities for people to gather together and party in beautiful Australian outdoor environments, nightclubs and warehouses..Creating amazing events that incorporate performance, installation art, dance culture and alternative lifestyle opportunities within a 'festival' and party atmosphere.
like to know more? click here to contact us.

specifically we aim to:
..promote high quality, intelligent entertainment at the cutting edge of dance and festival culture. Exposing participants in our events to as much high quality material as possible.
..express a view of the world and techno culture in our own individual way, utilising the resources and expertise available to us. This incorporates such diverse elements as performance and installation art, environmental issues, music and dance, and interaction with a range of organisations and individuals across the spectrum of our society.
..encourage responsible utilisation, and respect for our natural heritage. And responsible and safe behaviour of participants.

..address and publicise issues related to youth culture.
..support via donation and publicity local humanitarian and environmental organisations.
..support techno and dance culture, local and emerging artists, musicians and other performers, and related community support groups.
..provide a safe and secure environment where people of all ages, social situations and inclinations can gather together

Fairbridge Festival

2008-04-03T17:42:00.000-07:00

Fairbridge Festival has just happened for the 14th time, and all the signs are that the momentum and enthusiasm continues to grow. The scene is set for another great weekend of joyous music making.

The festival site is unique on the Australian circuit. Fairbridge Village was originally Fairbridge Farm School, a combination of orphanage, school and Imperial social engineering project set up as part of a grand colonial vision by Kingsley Fairbridge in 1912. Founded with the mission of taking deprived children from the orphanages and streets of Britain and giving them a healthy life in the Colonies, (while ensuring that the Colonies continued to be populated with sound Anglo-Saxon stock, as was the prevailing ethos of the time), the Farm School functioned until the early 60s.

Well over a thousand children, many of them from the Dr. Barnardo’s Homes, were shipped to Australia as part of the Child Migration Scheme. Not all of those children’s stories were happy of course, as anybody who saw the ABC TV documentary “The Leaving of Liverpool” a few years ago would have seen, but by and large the inmates of Fairbridge seem to have escaped the worst excesses of some of the destinations of the Child Migration Scheme, and many Old Fairbridgeans hold their former home in great reverence and affection.

The child migrants took up residence in a complex of wooden dormitory cottages, equipped with dining and school facilities and an architecturally significant red-brick church, all completed between 1921 and 1938 and still preserved largely intact. These unique buildings are in the throes of a major renovation program, and provide the artists’ accommodation and several of the performance venues for the Festival.

The Village makes a wonderful festival site, with graceful, mature bush and sweeping views over the Darling Escarpment about 100 km south of Perth’s outlying south-eastern suburbs. Over the weekend the site comes alive with music in numerous marquees and permanent buildings, and in the church which is the home for a now-legendary Sunday morning Gospel session and a plethora of a cappella singing in its natural habitat.

The whole area of the festival is slightly smaller than that of the National at Exhibition Park in Canberra, making for a relaxed, spacious environment that never seems overcrowded even with peak crowds of around 5000 people.

Credit for starting the festival belongs to Max Klubal and Sally Grice back in 1992. At the time they were committee members for the WA Folk Federation, which was running a long-standing festival in the attractive country town of Toodyay, about 100km north east of Perth. Max and Sally recognised the potential of the site, and with the benefit of persistence and persuasiveness convinced the WAFF to give it a go. A partnership with the organisation Parents for Music was formed to run the festival, with the intention of making it a more family-orientated event than Toodyay. The first festival happened on Mothers Day, May 1993. (I remember it vividly, Ros and I were pushing three-month-old twins around the gravel roads in a very large pram).

The two festivals continued in parallel for two years but eventually Toodyay ran out of steam and closed down, and in 1996 Fairbridge Festival broke away from the WAFF to its present status as an incorporated not-for-profit association. Since incorporation it has stayed true to the original vision of catering to a family audience, and presents probably the largest children’s program, in proportion to the festival as a whole, of any such event in the country.

Growth of the festival audience has been steady at around about 10% per year, and in 2005 we attained over 15,000 day attendances. Barring a major hiccup in 1996, the festival has always made a small profit, which has been used to build up a strategic reserve, literally for a rainy day.
Scott Wise of the Wise Family band and the Ten Cent Shooters has generously donated one of his beautiful hand made guitars as a raffle prize each year since 1995.

The festival is now established as a major event on the WA cultural calendar with a devoted audience base, a strong pool of volunteers, and a remarkably stable organising committee led by president Wendy Corrick. Its reputation has spread to the point where each year we receive well over 300 applications from acts wanting to play, many of them from interstate.

The tyranny of distance and the hideous cost of airfares to Perth put stringent limits on the number of interstate acts we can book, and every year we have to send a depressing number of rejection letters to acts we’d love to book but simply can’t afford, but we’ve got to the point where we’re putting on a show up there with the best Australian festivals.

Most artists and visitors agree that what we might lack in depth compared with a National or Port Fairy we make up for in atmosphere. With the strength of the WA talent pool there’s certainly no shortage of quality acts anyway.

In 2006, with financial help form ArtsWA, ALCOA and the Australia Coucil, we presented a showcase of Australian family bands. Over 20 acts participated in what we think is the largest gathering of family music-makers to be held at an Australian festival. [Review].
The success of the festival is an inspiring example of what can be done from the grass roots, at the far-off, sparsely populated end of the country, by a small group of people dedicated to the love of folk music and community events. We’re deeply proud of our festival, and strongly encourage any of you from "Over East" who haven’t yet been to make the big trip West one April and be part of it.

Further information on the history of Fairbridge Village can be found at http://www.fairbridge.asn.au/, and in the autobiography “Fairbridge Kid” by John Lane, available from the Village.
Steve Barnes Feb 2003, modified May 06.

The inaugural Falls Festival in 1993

2008-04-03T17:30:00.001-07:00

It all began when a young surfer from the small coastal town of Lorne decided to transform his annual new years eve chillout with close friends on the family farm into something a little bigger. With an extended invitaition to a bunch of bands and any one else who wanted to come along, a musical treat was in the making...

The inaugural Falls Festival in 1993 (then named Rock Above the Falls in an attempt to steer wayward travelers away from the turnoff to a popular nearby waterfall) was a one-night only affair and featured 9 bands including The Sharp, Cosmic Psychos, The Badloves, Nick Barker and Seaweed Gorillas. Tickets were just $20 and organisers expected around 5,000 punters to show up after ticket pre-sales were modest. But, with a sparkling 26 degree day on 31 December, nearly 11,000 punters dropped in for the show and stretched the novice organisers to the limit, even to the extent of having to negotiate with neighboring farmers for the use of their land to accommodate the huge influx.

After a stunning dusk to darkness set by the bluesy Badloves, the double-bass twanging, The Sharp took the stage to a mixed reaction by the crowd. Clearly the majority of the crowd where there for local favourites the Cosmic Psychos who were at the height of their powers as they ripped out crunching renditions of massive crowd favourites such as "B.I.T." and "She's a Lost Cause".

A touch of luck with the weather and a masterful performance by Cosmic Psychos allowed The Falls Festival to successfully touch down on the Australian live music landscape and ensured that at least 11,000 happy campers would return home to rave about their awesome new year's experience down on the Falls farm.

The Falls Festival 1994

2008-04-03T17:29:00.002-07:00

The previous year's festivities created quite a hype among the music industry and, soon enough, some solid Oz acts were putting their respective hands up for a chance to strut their stuff to thousands of grubby campers perched on the natural amphitheatre at the festival. Rock Above the Falls 1994 presented one of Australia's most important indy/alternative acts of the previous decade, Hoodoo Gurus, as well as Tumbleweed, Cosmic Psychos (back for more!), Spiderbait, Nick Barker and Hoss. After the awesome debut of the festival, it was not surprising that all 10,500 tickets sold out well before Christmas.

While the Hoodoos were the clear headliners and played the midnight spot with aplomb, by the time they had hit the stage the festival had already seen incredible performances by Cosmic Psychos and Tumbleweed and a sensational afternoon set by newcoming Novacastrians, silverchair, during which their enigmatic 14-year old frontman Daniel Johns announced to the crowd, "I wish I could be sitting on that hill with you...hmmm...this place rocks", just prior to crunching out their smash hit of the summer "Tomorrow" to the delight of the masses.
Hoodoo Gurus played a fine set featuring crowd favourites such as "What's My Scene", "Bittersweet", "1000 Miles Away", "Like Wow - Wipeout" and "Miss Freelove '69". Once the countdown had been and gone, another punchy trio, Spiderbait, took the stage and put in a staggering set for the delirious revelers, with tracks such as "Old Man Sam", "Bergerac", "Run" and "Shashavaglava" causing serious moshing mayhem in the wee hours of the new year.

The Falls Festival 1995

2008-04-03T17:29:00.001-07:00

After two highly successful years at the farm, organisers decided to change the format from a one-night shindig to a two-night festival, modeled on the massive European versions such as Glastonbury and Roskilde. And more nights meant more bands, headlined by Hunters and Collectors with very able support from Tumbleweed, Spiderbait, Died Pretty, Dave Graney and the Coral Snakes, The Meanies, Regurgitator, The Fauves, Custard, The Fireballs and Rebecca's Empire. Once again, all 10,500 tickets sold out long before Christmas, leaving many hopeful revelers scratching their heads as to why they hadn't snapped up a ticket earlier. When the festival came around, Regurgitator absolutely nailed their set, with tracks such as "Blubber Boy", "I Like it Like That" and "Couldn't Do It" whipping punters into a frenzy. Spiderbait mixed up some older tunes with tracks plucked from highly successful 1995 release, "Unfinished Spanish Galleon of Finley Lake", such as "Monty", "Sam Gribbles" and "Riot". Of course, there was a tear in every punter's eye when the Hunters played "Throw Your Arms Around Me", which was a fitting tune to bring in a brand new year.

The Falls Festival 1996

2008-04-03T17:28:00.002-07:00

A change of name to reflect the true festival that the event had become and a brand new stage to provide total weatherproofing for performers were two innovations for the The Falls Festival 1996. But most importantly, the first international headliner of the festival was procured, being Hermosa Beach's finest punk exponents, Pennywise. These skater punks were joined on the huge new farm shed stage by the legendary Radio Birdman, Regurgitator, Custard, Even, Dave Graney and the Coral Snakes, Powderfinger, Sidewinder, Pollyanna, Moler, Snout, Bodyjar, The Living End and Rebecca's Empire.

Tickets sold out weeks in advance of the event and organisers began to plan an increased capacity for the following year to deal with the huge number of punters who each year seemed to miss out on a ticket. On 30 December, Custard put in a fantastic performance with fresh tracks lifted from their new "Weisenheimer" album, in particular their massively popular tune "Apartment", which caused significant punter delirium.

Closing the night was another band with a brand new album, Regurgitator, whose "Tu Plang" release was the source of numerous crowd favourites such as "Kong Foo Sing", "I sucked a lot of cock to get where I am", "FSO" and "Miffy's Simplicity". On 31 December, two relatively new acts delivered performances that would pique the interest of punters and the music industry alike. The first was The Living End, a DIY band with punk/rockabilly leanings, incredible on-stage energy and presence and a frontman, Chris Cheney, with the look and sound of a young Brian Setzer, while double-bass slapping Scott Owen reminded of Lee Rocker. Australia's own Stray Cats had arrived! Their tracks "English Army", "From Here on In" and "Strange" were instantly picked up as anthems by the enthusiastic afternoon crowd. The other act of particular note was Brisbane's Powderfinger who launched their epic rock ballads onto the unsuspecting revelers with the vigour and confidence of seasoned crooners, frontman Bernard Fanning gaining a legion of adorers with his heartfelt renditions of "Pick You Up" and "DAF" as dusk descended into night.

And when night fell on New Year's Eve 1996, out came Radio Birdman. Vocalist Rob Younger and guitarist Deniz Tek produced their legendary apocalyptic punk rant with "Aloha Steve and Danno", "What Gives?" and "Hand of Law". While most of the punters were not alive when Birdman were causing mayhem at the Annandale or the Espy or the Star, it did not take long for these same punters to take to these same punks with appropriate vim and vigour. But it was definitely Pennywise's festival, and, fresh from surfing the wild Johanna Beach on Victoria's Great Ocean Road, So-Cal's finest hit the stage and delivered their frenetic brand of skate/frat-punk, with awesome versions of "Perfect People", "Unknown Road" and "Same Old Story" among others. Pennywise's flaming banner was a fitting way to end what had been a hugely successful fourth Falls Festival.

The Falls Festival 1997

2008-04-03T17:28:00.001-07:00

Over the winter months, the organisers worked hard to achieve two key objectives. First, to ensure as many people as possible got to experience the festival. The Council were persuaded and granted a permit for an increased capacity of 12,500. Secondly, a headlining act was required that could deliver as much, if not more, energy than Pennywise. Enter James Newell Osterberg (aka Iggy Pop).

In easily the biggest line-up that had been assembled for the festival to that point, The Falls Festival 1997 featured Iggy Pop, You Am I, The Cruel Sea, Hard Ons, Lagwagon, The Superjesus, Guttermouth, Grinspoon, Shihad, The Living End, Even, Jebediah, Deadstar, Front End Loader, Sprung Monkey, Something For Kate, Pre_Shrunk and many others. Over 40 bands were assembled for the festivities and, despite the increased capacity, the festival was completely sold out well prior to Christmas.

The Living End absolutely nailed their mid-afternoon slot on 30 December, ripping out huge renditions of "Prisoner of Society" and "Second Solution", while NZ band Shihad also delivered a stirring performance, in particular an awesome rendition of "Ghosts from the Past". Jebediah and Grinspoon had also come onto the scene in 1997 and produced excellent late night performances on the shed stage. Grinspoon frontman Phil Jamieson described their long and winding trip to the festival behind a truck leaking gasoline as an intro to "Pedestrian" and then the band crunched out crowd favourites such as "DCx3", "Just Ace" and "Don't Go Away" from their "Guide to a Better Living" LP. Jebediah delivered a performance that produced nothing short of jubilant punter reaction, particularly to massively popular tunes such as "Teflon", "Leaving Home" and "Military Strongman" from their platinum "Slightly Odway" LP.

Pennywise's experiences in 1996 encouraged Lagwagon and Guttermouth to make the trip to the The Falls Festival, with the latter in particular putting in an awesome show and raising several thousand eyebrows with their nude displays during "Chickenbox", "P.C." and "Derek". You Am I had the unenviable task of performing directly prior to Iggy Pop (whose appearance was hugely anticipated), but had no problem in capturing and keeping the crowd's attention with blistering performances of "Purple Sneakers", "Cathy's Clown", "Mr Milk" and "Berlin Chair".
But, once again, the headliner completely dominated the festival. Sir Iggy Stooge took the stage at around 11.40pm, dressed in little more than skin-tight plastic purple jeans and with veins pulsating and protruding in every direction. Iggy and his band of longhairs proceeded to demonstrate to the mesmerized masses just exactly why Iggy is regarded as the godfather of punk. Frenetic thrashing, stage diving, crowd inciting, speaker humping antics punctuated seminal tracks such as "Lust for Life", "I Wanna Be Your Dog", "Search "&" Destroy" and "The Passenger" (during which legions of fans invaded the stage to boogey with Iggy and band). The uninitiated were completely gobsmacked by Iggy's behaviour, while the experienced were left completely satiated by a performance rated as one of Iggy's very best.

The Falls Festival 1998

2008-04-03T17:27:00.001-07:00

During February 1998, the organisers received contact from Iggy Pop's manager indicating that Iggy had been speaking with an old friend, Deborah Harry, about how much fun he'd had headlining The Falls 97. The organisers pursued the interest and secured the legendary Blondie as the headliner of The Falls Festival 1998. Blondie would take the main stage for the countdown slot and be part of an eclectic bill including Seattle grunge survivors Mudhoney, UK electro outfit Bentley Rhythm Ace and US punks Rocket From the Crypt and Unwritten Law, together with Australia's finest such as You Am I, Grinspoon, The Superjesus, Ammonia, Frenzal Rhomb, Bodyjar, Screamfeeder, Something For Kate, Violetine, Magic Dirt, Even, Area 7, The Avalanches and many more. A new innovation at the festival, Cybercircus, was conducted by Melbourne Underground Development and featured Voiteck, Honeysmack, Pound System, Nik Dem Q, Slieker, Ollie Olsen, Dan Woodman and many others in a huge big top tent! overnight. Dance music had arrived at The Falls Festival and ensured the festival once again sold out well in advance. The Superjesus were the highlight of 30/12, with tracks lifted from their multi-platinum "Soma" album, such as "Down Again", "Saturation" and "Face Down". Unwritten Law also put in a sensational performance, keeping the punk legacy in full effect at The Falls. Overnight, the Cybercircus kicked into gear with awesome digital animation, surround sound and amazing projections in the big top tent. On 31/12, Mudhoney pumped out huge slabs of fuzzy guitar with tracks such as "Touch Me I'm Sick", "Hate the Police", "Suck You Dry" and "Blinding Sun", while new local act The Avalanches excited punters with their eclectic and exuberant mix of rock and electro-funk. Blondie's performance was also incredible, with original members Deborah Harry, Chris Stein, Jimmy Destri and Clem Burke pumping out classic tracks such as "Atomic", "Heart of Glass", "Call Me", "The Tide is High", "Rapture", "Island of Lost Souls" and "Hanging on the Telephone" during their near two-hour set. Here was a bunch of punks who had crossed over into pop and then fearlessly into the territory of disco. Blondie's blurring of the genres made it an archetypal band during the 1970s and, therefore, the perfect headliner for a festival that also sought to deliver all musical styles to the thousands of assembled revelers.

The Falls Festival 1999

2008-04-03T17:26:00.002-07:00

The hype which preceded the "turn of the millennium" meant that a plethora of party options were on offer for NYE 99. Despite this unprecedented competition (particularly in the city), The Falls Festival 1999 sold out over a month in advance with a line-up comprising US geek-rockers Violent Femmes, Canadians The Tea Party, US DJ Freddy Fresh and locals Regurgitator, Frenzal Rhomb, You Am I, Something For Kate, Superheist, 28 Days, Alex Lloyd, Area 7, Pollyanna, The Fauves and many others.

But the festival was to face a much greater challenge than competition. Freak weather conditions that had devastating consequences for the Sydney to Hobart yacht race had also hit the Otway Ranges with full force. On 29 December 1999, with the festival site shrouded in thick fog and having been lashed with heavy rains for nearly a week, the organisers were forced to completely relocate the festival to the site in Torquay where the Offshore Festival is conducted.

Miraculously, this was achieved in the required 24 hours and the festival proceeded as planned. Over 13,000 revelers rolled into the new venue, happy to be away from the fog and slush of the Lorne venue and well and truly ready for partying! The stand out performance for the event was, without question, The Tea Party. This popular Canadian three-piece came on directly after Regurgitator (who also played a stellar show) and proceeded to captivate the relocated revelers with tracks such as "Transmission", "Fire in the Head", "Sister Awake", "Walk With Me", "Save Me", "Temptation", "Touch" and "Heaven Coming Down". Freddy Fresh made thousands of hips gyrate with his sexy latino beats and breaks in the wee hours of the night in the Cybercircus while Violent Femmes had the entire crowd singing along in unison to their huge hits such as "Blister in the Sun", "Gimme the Car, "Good Feeling", "American Music", "Kiss Off", "Add it Up" and "Gone Daddy Gone".

The Falls Festival 2000

2008-04-03T17:26:00.001-07:00

The Falls Festival 2000 heralded two triumphant returns: the first was the entire festival back to its home at the beautiful farm in Lorne; the second was probably Australia's most important rock band of the previous decade, silverchair, returning to headline the festival after a five year hiatus. silverchair had not performed for the entire year during 2000, but jumped at the chance to return to the now famous farm near Lorne and take up the headlining position on the main stage.

The main stage also featured UK rockers Reef and Calipunks The Vandals together with locals Killing Heidi, The Superjesus, The Avalanches, Magic Dirt, John Butler Trio, Bodyjar, Skulker, Pre_Shrunk, Sunk Loto, 78 Saab, Rocket Science, The Waifs, George, Nitocris, Dallas Crane, Nokturnl and Machine Gun Fellatio. Cybercircus was absolutely massive with artists such as sonicanimation, Resin Dogs, Friendly, UK's Freestylers, Groove Terminator, Josh Abrahams, 1200 Techniques, Honeysmack and Voiteck filling out the bill.

The festival was treated to two beautiful 25 degree days, which allowed punters and performers to be at their very best. On 30/12, The Avalanches unleashed fresh tracks from their "Since I Left You" LP with "Frontier Psychiatrist" being the clear crowd favourite. Sunk Loto put in a blistering set, while 28 Days confirmed their status as the summer festival band of the year with a monumental late evening performance. On 31/12, while acts such as Machine Gun Fellatio and The Vandals got their gear off during frenetic performances in the summer heat, John Butler Trio chilled things right down during their cruisy dusk set.

But silverchair completely stole the show, ripping out their catalogue of angsty anthems with staggering emotion and enthusiasm. Daniel Johns, adorned in a mirror-encrusted dreamcoat, was screaming one moment, whispering the next as the band offered such tasty morsels as "Freak", "The Door", "Israel's Son", "Cemetery", "Anthem for the Year 2000", "Ana's Song", "Pure Massacre" and "Tomorrow". The guitars wrenched, the drums pounded and the Falls revelers were rendered awestruck and speechless as silverchair delivered one of their very best performances at The Falls Festival 2000.

The Falls Festival 2001

2008-04-03T17:25:00.002-07:00

September 11 threw the Australian music scene into chaos and saw tours by international artist all but vanish. Swedish punk rock stars The Hives proved they weren't afraid to fly and made their first ever, and so far only, appearance in Australia at The Falls 2001. The Hives put in an unforgettable performance with a killer set and a polished image to match. Looking snappy all dressed in black with just a touch of white, front man Pelle Almqvist played the crowd as though they too were an instrument in the band. The bond was quickly established and in response to Pelle's famous line "WHO DO YOU LOVE?" the crowd would cry THE HIVES.

The line up was solid from start to finish, including Stanton Warriors, Grinspoon, Regurgitator, John Butler Trio, Something For Kate, Alex Lloyd, 28 Days, Resin Dogs, Dr Alex Patterson, Groove Terminator, Paul Kelly, Body Jar, George, Superheist, Area 7, One Dollar Short, Dern Rutlidge, Warped, Nu Breed, On Inc, Pound System, 1200 Techniques, Blue Line Medic and For Amusement Only to name but a few!

28 Days delivered arguably their best live set ever. It came shortly after the loss of their drummer and close friend Scott Murray. Gordy Forman from Frenzal Rhomb filled in on drums and the band put in a truly ripping and courageous performance. Something For Kate opened with the Midnight Oil classic '' Dreamworld '' and kept it up right through their set. That great Australian icon Paul Kelly, accompanied by Vika "&" Linda Bull was a perfect afternoon addition as was the golden voice of Alex Lloyd later that evening. Grinspoon brought in the New Year and treated the crowd to songs from their latest album "New Detention" which hadn't been released.

The Falls Festival 2001 featured some great brand new additions that are no doubt here to stay. The People's Stage gave some of the many festival punters a chance to strut their stuff in front of a real crowd. The Chill Out Cinema offered a great selection of movies, both old and new to kick back and relax to. Viewing pleasure was taken to all new heights with the installation of a 37square metre super screen right next to the main stage. Coupled with the incredible acoustics of the arena's massive natural amphitheatre, patrons really could be anywhere in the main arena and feel like they were as close to the performer as the crew in the very front row. And then there was the magnificent beer house, a glorious big top tent in the main arena with a perfect view of the stage. It was good times and good vibes from start to finish at The Falls Festival 2001.

The Falls Festival 2002

2008-04-03T17:25:00.001-07:00

2002 was an amazing year for The Falls. A fantastic lineup really signified the festival growing to a new level, and bought a depth and variety of talent that has begun to stamp the festival as a truly unique event in what is a truly unique setting.

One of the many highlights was undoubtedly the performance of the great Jack Johnson. His set, which started under an ominous looking sky, seemed to turn even the weather to perfection and the sun soon came streaming through. The crowd equally rose to the occasion. Who could forget the guy dancing with perfect balance on his mate's shoulders in complete harmony and with appreciation for the amazing surrounds and sounds. Jack's set was a fine tribute to the farm and the festival and heralded the growth of a new direction for the event.

The funky samba-ing latino sounds of Ozomatli also bought a very groovy vibe to The Falls. Generating an amazing connection with the audience, they played a brand of music that had you celebrating just being on your feet. There were many other fantastic moments, like The Stalkers playing their 'all star' rockin roll. The Beautiful Girls and Xavier Rudd stole the show in the tent, with fans launching into what was a huge celebration. You Am I doing yet another classic set at The Falls with an unbelievably clear and loud stage sound. Black Eyed Peas, smooth and slick as ever, also vied for poll position and the crowd went nuts. Other great acts included: Brad, The Vandals, Grinspoon, Machine Gun Fellatio, Jet, Even, The Ataris, 1200 Techniques, Magic Dirt, Rocket Science, The Butterfly Effect, Warped, Antiskeptic, The Casanovas, Quirk, The Sleepy Jackson and Timo Maas. In the Cybercircus, the party never stopped with Groove Terminator, Offcutts, Zephyr Timbre and heaps more.

The Chill Out Cinema was again a hit, comedians unleashed their dearth of wit and the Erskine Fayre continued to provide a carnival atmosphere. The foodies were also satiated by the vast array of global tastes and treats.

And on such an auspicious occasion, it's all about remembering where you've come from, and festival founder; Simon didn't pass on the opportunity to give credit to the roots of the festival. After the big countdown, Simon invited his mum Sally on stage to thank her for letting him run ten festivals on the family farm. It was a pretty amazing, and Sally was stoked.

The Falls Festival 2003

2008-04-03T17:24:00.000-07:00

The Falls Festival gains a sibling...

The year 2003 produced what was without a doubt the greatest milestone in the festivals history. The Falls Festival literally doubled with the birth of a sister event in Tasmania. Both events ran concurrently from Dec 30, 2003 to Jan 1, 2004 with most acts on the line-up playing each event on different days. Mother nature gave her stamp of approval by bathing both events in beautiful sunshine from start to finish and two amazing festivals went off without a hitch. This was definitely one for the history books!
Marion Bay, Tas:

Marion Bay in Tasmania proved to be a far better home than could ever have been hoped for. There was the site - where the spectacular ocean views provided a stunning backdrop for the cool sounds of some of the worlds finest acts ever to assemble in Tassie. While all around, the hills and the surrounding valleys eased gently down to meet the mgnificent stages and the crystal waters of Marion Bay - the perfect tonic to cool off on a hot summers day. The Healing Fields, the festoon lighting, the beach and the amazing and very green enviro loos all completed what was a truly fantastic event.
The festival was packed with amazing performances. From the awesome local talent of Reflex and Enola Fall, to national heroes Regurgitator, The Waifs and Gerling to the overseas stars Reel Big Fish, Pennywise, G. Love & Special Sauce and Ozomatli - the list goes on as every act stepped up to perform at the highest level. Michael Franti & Spearhead deserve a special mention, bringing in the New Year with enough positive vibes and memories to last a life time. From DJ's to Punk to Blues, Folk, Rock and Comedy, the diverse line up offered something special for everyone, and so everyone came.

It was the people that really made it special. Tassie embraced The Falls Festival from the moment it was launched until well after the last beat was played. A huge team of amazing people came together from the local area and all over the state to ensure the success of the first ever Falls Festival in Tasmania. Music and festival lovers showed their support with tickets selling well from the first day right through to the event which ultimately saw crowd numbers reaching around 9,000.

With smiles reaching from ear to ear on every face, it was a crowd full of people having the time of their lives. The mood; the energy; the atmosphere all amazing. All this was further capped off by the fact that everyone chipped in on New Years Day to completely clean the whole place up. By mid afternoon on the 01.01.04 the whole site was practically rubbish free and looking magnificent. We couldn't have asked for a better bunch of people to share this spectacular event and celebrate the new year with.

Thank you Tassie for having The Falls Festival, especially to James for allowing us to use his beautiful piece of paradise. We will be seeing you all again later this year - same time, same place.

Lorne, Vic:
This year Lorne really turned on the sunshine to provide the perfect setting for a festival amidst the forest. The grounds looked amazing and were a credit to all who helped in the vast and lengthy preparation of the event. With the festival reaching a capacity crowd and selling out days in advance, the atmosphere was incredible.

Cars entered in record time due to the new six lane ticket checks implemented. Early arrivals were treated to a plush green arena and the bar was open allowing people to make the most of their first hours on the pristine farm and soak up all its sights and sounds. The big screen proved a cruisy way to ease into the festival from the night of the 29th and thousands kicked back on the grass to enjoy classics such as Easy Rider, Stand By Me and Men In Black.
The hot weather was relieved by the outdoor Falls Festival pure spring water showers and the fabulous ''People Mista".

The line up produced amazing set after amazing set. Michael Franti and Spearhead were certainly crowd favourites as were Ozomatli. Pennywise had the whole farm literally jumping out of its skin, meanwhile Xavier Rudd and The Cat Empire were awesome and drew huge crowds to the main arena. Turin Brakes were impressive as was Paul Kelly playing all his hits. The numerous talented local acts all delivered the goods too and in The Cybercircus, the party crept into the wee hours of each morning with the likes of James De La Cruz and Cut Copy.
A big thank you to all who attended the festivals, your good vibes and friendly attitudes made the event something very special, and something that will be remembered and looked back on for a long time to come.

The Music
And finally a big thank you to all the hugely talented artists that joined us in 2003:

Michael Franti & Spearhead (only Aus shows), Pennywise, Groove Armada - DJ Set*, Dexter+, Krafty Kuts+, Reel Big Fish, Paul Kelly, The Waifs, Xavier Rudd, G. Love & Special Sauce (only Aus shows), Turin Brakes, Ozomatli, Regurgitator, The Cat Empire, Mason Jennings (only Aus shows), James De La Cruz*, Offcutts*, The Beautiful Girls, Cog, The Mess Hall, Trey, Bodyjar, Dallas Crane, Degrees K*, The Pictures, Riff Random*, Dan Kelly And The Alpha Males, Bomba, Ember Swift, Harry Manx, Gerling, Flagrant & Ben Shepherd*, NuBreed*, John Course & Goodwill*, DJ Selekt & B.Dub*, The Butterfly Effect*, After The Fall, the GO set*, tzu, Bugdust*, The Double Agents*, Sharif Galal, Ennio Styles & Kano*, Carus*, Mick Hart, Damon+, DJ SMC+, Epicure*, Missy Higgins*, S. Jackson & Somantik*, Cut Copy*, Whalebone+, The Charlie Parkers+, Peter Cornelius & The DeVilles+, The Swedish Styles+, Enola Fall+, Reflex+, The Fat Band+, Waiter+, Taiko Drum+, Bit By Bats* & Unleash the Nugget+.
And comedians: Peter Green, Domenick O'Kieran, DJ Eddy*, Justin Hamilton*, Michael Chamberlin*, Andy Muirhead+, Mick Lowenstein+, Josh Earl+, Justin Heazelwood+ & Short Suited+.
* performed in Vic only,
+ performed in Tas only

The Falls Festival 2004

2008-04-03T17:23:00.002-07:00

The Falls Festival 2004

Ocean’s gave way when The Falls Festival debuted in Tasmania for New Year’s Eve 2003. Everyone had such a damn fine time in Marion Bay that we decided to do it all over again and in 2004 Marion Bay became a home rather than a one night stand for The Falls Festival. The decision was met with approval and tickets sold out for both events one month in advance, setting records for not only The Falls Festival but also for Tasmania.

Things were fine tuned at both sites and Lorne broke in an impressive set of permanent speaker towers with a thumping new sounds system to match. The grass was green, the weather was superb and the music rolled in from all corners of the globe. Indeed, there were performers from Japan, South Africa, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, UK and USA. Also well represented were the ladies of song with such stars as Missy Higgins, Clare Bowditch, Dakota Star, Veruca Salt, Mia Dyson, Spazzys, Spiderbait, Sarah Blasko and more. But if not the year of song birds or international roamers, it was the year of Australian roots with The John Butler Trio, Xavier Rudd, The Cat Empire, Missy Higgins and The Beautiful Girls drawing huge support. There was plenty of representing going on in the rock, blues and hip hop corners too with The Black Keys, The Living End, Rocket Science, Even, Hilltop Hoods, Downsyde, Butterfingers and TZU all in top form. There were also legends aplenty with the likes of Billy Bragg, De La Soul and Bob Brozman.

Possibly the most memorable performance goes to You Am I. With an amazing set in Lorne on the 30th, the New Years Eve set in Marion Bay was a little more, um, spiced…. Having started celebrating perhaps a little too early on NYE, Tim Rogers gave it a bash, caused a stir, left a few on lookers a little confused and exited the stage to make way for an impromptu all star set by the combined talents of The Beautiful Girls, Carus and Missy Higgins. Very rock n roll!
Thanks also to everyone for digging deep to help the victims of the Boxing Day tsunami. Festival patrons showed some heart as did all round nice guys Hilltop Hoods who kicked in half of their performance fees. So we thought we'd do our bit and matched every dollar raised bringing the total to $25,000.

Falls Festival 2005

2008-04-03T17:23:00.001-07:00

Falls Festival 2005

“In seven years of going to Falls, there’s not been one time where I haven’t had a righteous time...each year it surpasses all hopes...in the case of 2005 it kicked more ass than ever before.” Beat Magazine.

We tend to agree!

Some big changes took place in 2005. In Marion Bay, the venue was re-shaped a little to take full advantage of nature’s gifts: the arena widened; the campgrounds increased; a custom built floating bridge on the way to the beach; more big top tents, toilets and so on. Actually, we were rather proud of Tassie’s unique environmentally friendly toilets this year. We’d been plugging away trying to get them right and think we’ve finally done it – complete with beautiful murals!

It was also the first year for operation Plan B when a freight plane was delayed from Hobart to Melbourne on the 31st. After lots of scribbling with pencils, post it notes on the wall and reliving the glory days of the rubix cube, the line-up was only slightly adjusted to accommodate the delay, everyone played, everyone was happy and everyone went home a winner. Marion Bay had a little re-scheduling of its own with a few delays meaning 12 midnight was whenever Ozo said it was and then they partied like there was no tomorrow letting people know that in the context of a three day festival - jam packed full of friends, colour and entertainment - counting backwards from 10 to 1 at precisely midnight is not quite so important after all.

More, more, more was the word for entertainment last year with Lorne featuring bands on the 29th December for the first time; The APRA People Stage making its hit debut in Marion Bay; The Valley Cinema schedule taken to a whole new level as well as Films in the Field in Tasmania. The performers were once again sensational and at the heart of The Falls Festival vibe. Amongst the local legends were The Cat Empire, Dallas Crane, Wolfmother and of course Hoodoo Gurus. Equally impressive were emerging talents 67 Special, The Vasco Era, The Grates, The Exploders and Tassie’s homegrown Jordan Millar and The Styles. The internationals such as The Dandy Warhols, Eric Bibb, Ozomatli and The Zutons didn’t disappoint either and showed why they are worthy on any stage, any country, any time. Really the whole line-up was worthy of a mention but it would take too long! Not enough can be said about the comedians either. They are just too funny for words and every year the sea of smiling faces before them grows.

The Falls Festival 2006

2008-04-03T17:22:00.000-07:00

The Falls Festival 2006 seemed to be the most anticipated Falls Festival in its long history and 2006 had it all. Great weather again although mental note to re-set the timer in Lorne so that the rain comes on Jan 2 not Jan 1); Great people - really, you guys were super fun to have over and are more than welcome to come back next time;Great music - where do we start! Modest Mouse land high in the charts as unbelievably great performers that well and truly lived up to the hype leaving us very proud to have hosted their Australian debut. We give A+ to The Bees for gutsy performances in the face of severe laryngitis - seriously, the man couldn't talk so to hear him sing for us was quite extraordinary.

They had a blast nonetheless and we reckon they'll be back.Wolfmother and Michael Franti & Spearhead*were sensational and proved to be the perfect choices the farewell 2006 and welcome 2007, The John Butler Trio and Hilltop Hoods left no-one doubting their place as two of Australia's finest. You Am I were simply on fire and delivered their most memorable performances EVER at The Falls Festival. The internationals each offered something unique and amazing - from the one man phenomena that is Jamie Lidell to the politically charged Saul Williams. In Lorne, Basement Jaxx pumped more energy and costume changes than could be measured by any means. Not to be outshone were the locals. Whether it be the crescendo to a huge year for bands like Eskimo Joe, Josh Pyke or Blue King Brown or the signalling of big things to come from The Scientists of Modern Music, The Vasco Era, Labjacd, The Exploders and... well, too many more to mention! Suffice to say we thought they were super and we hope we satisfied your cravings as well as expanded your palette with a kaleidoscope of new flavours.

V Festival Hits The Gold Coast

2008-04-03T17:19:00.000-07:00

Branson’s V Festival Hits The Gold Coast …

With all the rain that’s been around the Gold Coast lately it was bound to be a bit soggy under foot but that was an understatement the other day at the annual V Festival at the Avica Resort; a field of slimy mud greeted the massive crowd of music lovers.Brought to you by entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson, V Festival brought together a diverse range of popular local and international music acts including American rockers Smashing Pumpkins, Queens Of The Stone Age, Duran Duran, The Presets, Cut Copy, The Jesus & Mary Chain and Modest Mouse, to name a few.

Happy festival goers didn’t let the muddy grounds deter the trekking between This Stage, That Stage and the Other Stage; although there was lots of stumbling and sliding as thongs became bogged in the soggy earth.A less muddier venue on the grounds was the Virgin Mobile Tent – a doof tent with a stable, dry dancefloor, bright lights and smoke machines; a place where punters could let their hair down to the heavy beats of Europe’s Munk and the Bang Gang Deejay party set. Cut Copy, Melbourne’s indie dance experts proved popular with the crowd, displaying their 80’s new wave genre mixed into their pop hooks and elaborate dance beats. Their familiar tunes Hearts On Fire and Lights And Music had everyone singing along – Cut Copy ecstatic that their new album ‘Ghost Colours’ has reached #1 on the ARIA charts.

Meanwhile on the Other Stage the crowd goes crazy for the Presets who deliver a set of old favourites with new tunes added including crowd-pleaser My People. A rocking preview to the Pumpkins set was Queens Of The Stone Age, led by frontman Josh Homme, who presented tracks that combined tormented vocals, fierce drumming and continuous intense chords. A blistering set had the fans engrossed – songs included Little Sister, In My Head, Go With The Flow and Feel Good Hit Of The Summer. After 30 years fronting Duran Duran, Simon Le Bon proved that he still has the great staying power and presence on stage – Duran Duran’s string of hits over the years have truly stood the test of time.

Le Bon and his band mates still display their 80’s stage moves which added to their appeal; fans loved their songs Rio, Planet Earth, Save A Prayer and the sing-along favourite Girls On Film.Most definitely, the drawcard of the Festival was U.S. rockers the Smashing Pumpkins, whose appearance in Australian is the first since last visiting before their breakup in 2000. Amidst zealous roars and thunderous applause, their set began with Today – frontman Billy Corgan still displayed his strange personality. The Pumpkins continued their set with Tonight, Tonight, 1979 and an impressive Bullet With Butterfly Wings. Overall, their set mixed recent material from the comeback album ‘Zeitgeist’ – Corgan along with drummer Jimmy Chamberlin, fed off each other and elevated the atmosphere with intense pounding rhythms. After an entertaining set, the Pumpkins ended the night with an encore of Porcelina Of The Vast Oceans.

The Falls Festival

2008-04-03T14:39:00.000-07:00

The Falls Festival is a New Year's Eve music festival, held annually in Marion Bay, Tasmania and Lorne, Victoria Australia since 1993. It lasts three days, from December 29 to January 1 each year. The headline acts play mostly over two evenings, December 30 and December 31. Both festivals run simultaneously and swapping line-ups over different days.

Snout playing at the 2001 Falls Festival
The festival started in 1993 with a small one day concert, held in Lorne, Victoria, then known as Rock Above The Falls. It attracted nearly 11,000 people, far exceeding the organisers expectations, requiring them to quickly negotiate with neighboring farmers for the use of their land to accommodate the crowd.

In 1995 the event changed to a two day format, and in 1996 the name was changed to The Falls Festival for the first time. The 1999 festival was the first to be held off the Lorne site, moved temporarily to the Torquay site of the Offshore Festival .

In 2003, two events were held simultaneously for the first time; one in Lorne, and an additional event at Marion Bay, Tasmania. The same acts played at both events; the December 30 acts who played at Lorne, play December 31 at Marion Bay, and vice versa. Future festivals retained this two-location format.

Due to the length of the event, people bring a tent and camp out at the event; both locations have nearby beaches. Many artists playing at the Falls Festival are traditionally of the blues & roots genre, however it is not exclusively of this style, with rock, hip hop and electronic style acts also playing.

Valley Stage at the 2006 Falls Festival in Marion Bay
Contents
Falls Festival 2003
Music of Australia
v • d • e
Timeline
Genres
classical · hip-hop · Drum n Bass · indigenous Australian music · Ska · immigrant music · jazz · country · rock (pub rock · indie · punk · metal)
Organisations
ARIA · APRA · CMMA
Awards
ARIA Music Awards · Country Music Awards of Australia · The Deadlys · Australian Music Prize · J Award · WAMi Awards · NT Indigenous Music Awards · Perth Dance Music Awards
Charts
Kent Music Report · ARIA Charts · Triple J Hottest 100
Festivals
Big Day Out · Splendour in the Grass · Livid · Homebake · Falls · Tamworth Country Music Festival · Womadelaide · National Folk Festival · Overcranked
Media
Countdown · Rage · Triple J · ABC · Community Radio
National anthem
Advance Australia Fair
Cities and regions
Adelaide · Brisbane · Canberra · Melbourne · Sydney · Perth · Hobart

Australian musicPortal
Performers at the 2003-04 event include Australian artists Xavier Rudd, The Beautiful Girls, Gerling, Regurgitator and The Waifs; and international acts Michael Franti and Spearhead, Pennywise, Reel Big Fish, and Ozomatli. Like many Australian festivals, the event also promotes local bands, with many Victorian and Tasmanian artists also performing at their respective state's festival. Solo female performer Missy Higgins also pleased crowds, promoting the release of her album and several popular singles, for which she was later recognised by receiving multiple awards at the ARIA Awards in 2005.

Falls Festival 2004
The 2004-05 festival was again held at both venues. Both sites sold out very early - the only Falls Festival to sell as fast was the 1999 event. Artists performing at both events included:
The Black Keys
De La Soul
Billy Bragg
The Living End
The John Butler Trio
Missy Higgins
The Thrills
Veruca Salt
Spiderbait
The Cat Empire
Xavier Rudd
Donavon Frankenreiter
You Am I
The Beautiful Girls
Vusi Mahlasela
Hilltop Hoods
Rocket Science
Dakota Star
Bob Brozman
Downsyde
TZU
Butterfingers
The Panics
Hayden
Sarah Blasko
Even
The Cops
Betchadupa
The Spazzys
The Vasco Era
Carus & The True Believers
Epicure
Mia Dyson
Ash Grunwald
The Hot Lies
Clare Bowditch and the Feeding Set
The Roys

Falls Festival 2005
Artists who performed at the 2005 event include:
The Dandy Warhols
Ozomatli
The Shins
Ian Brown
Wolfmother
Pete Murray
The Beautiful Girls
The Vasco Era
Faker
TZU
The Grates
Hoodoo Gurus
The Zutons
Sarah Blasko
End Of Fashion
The White Buffalo
The Mess Hall
Evermore
Dallas Crane
Lior
Matt Walker and Ashley Davies
67 Special
Ugly Duckling
The Cat Empire
Rolling Blackouts
Eric Bibb
Kelly Stoltz
Little Birdy
Ash Grunwald
Dappled Cities Fly
True Live
Offcutts
Katalyst and RuCL
Rob Sawyer
Mia Dyson
Youth Group
Dan Sultan & Scott Wilson
The Embers
2005 was a record year for speed of ticket sales; tickets for the Marion Bay festival sold out two and a half days after going on sale on August 15, and Lorne tickets selling out one week after coming onsale.

Further allocations of tickets for both festivals were released during December and sold out within hours of coming on sale. An unlimited number of Falls Festival patrons were welcome to attend the 'Falls Cinema' on Thursday 29th December (One day earlier than the official kick-off) in an effort to minimize traffic congestion. It was much the same in Tasmania, however the number of tickets available were capped at 9000.

Falls Festival 2006
In early July, the new website for the 2006 event was launched. People were able to subscribe to the official mailing list and be entered into the draw to be offered tickets ahead of the official release date of August 16. Subscribers that were selected would be notified by July 30. Tickets for the 2006 festival were put on sale as of 9am, August the 16th. All tickets to the Lorne event were gone in just over 2 hours. The Marion Bay event followed suit, with all tickets sold out within 3.5 hours.
The announced performers as of December 28, include:
Modest Mouse
Michael Franti and Spearhead
Wolfmother
The Bees
John Butler Trio
Saul Williams
The Black Seeds
Matt Costa
The Vasco Era
Dan Kelly and The Alpha Males
The Fumes
Dallas Frasca & Her Gentlemen
You Am I
The Audreys
Youth Group
Josh Pyke
Blue King Brown
Jamie Lidell
Hilltop Hoods
Eskimo Joe
Unleash the Nugget
Wolf & Cub
Dexter[disambiguation needed]
Timmy Curran
Labjacd
Scribe
The Sleepy Jackson
The Mountain Goats
Little Birdy
The Exploders
Jen Cloher & The Endless Sea
Dan Sultan
Cansei de Ser Sexy
Ground Components
FourPlay String Quartet
Custom Kings
Muph N Plutonic
The Embers

Ticketing
Restrictions on ticket sales were made in 2006 in an attempt to curb the increasing practice of ticket resale, commonly known as 'scalping', as well as to make the access to tickets more equitable. The changes reflected similar alterations made to ticket sale procedures of other major Australian music festivals such as Splendour in the Grass and The Big Day Out. Previously, Tickets had been released for sale in bulk and with no limits on the number of tickets able to be purchased by an individual, resulting in a high incidence of individuals purchasing multiple tickets, and a subsequent sell-out of tickets within a very short period of time, often within 24 or even 12 hours.

The restrictions included a purchasing limit of four tickets per any individual, as well as the initiation of an online ticket lottery, which randomly allocated the sale of approximately 50% of all tickets to a list of people who had registered their interest on the Festival's website. [1] Tickets were also released on multiple dates rather than in bulk, so that sales were more manageable and there was increased consumer accessibility to the sale of tickets.

Falls Festival 2007
The artists at the festival of 2007/08 include:
Kings of Leon
Groove Armada
Paul Kelly
Midnight Juggernauts
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
The Waifs
Gotye
Built to Spill
José González
The Go! Team
Blackalicious
The Mess Hall
Girl Talk
Kev Carmody
Whiskey Go Go's
Neville Staple's Specials
Adam Cousens**
Bridget Pross**
Magic Dirt*
Sarah Blasko*
Children Collide*
Jackson Jackson*
The Pipettes
The Herd
Lior
Little Red
Operator Please
Old Man River
Angus and Julia Stone
The Beautiful Girls
Regurgitator
Clare Bowditch
Downhills Home*
Jeff Lang
Cut Off Your Hands
The Scientists of Modern Music
Diafrix
Mattafix
Busdriver
The Panics
Dirty Harry and the Rockets**
The Cops
Nathan Weldon and the Two Timers**
Special Patrol*
Soft Tigers*
Dukes of Windsor*
Macromantics*
The Paper Scissors*
Dances With Voices*
Goons of Doom*
Whitley
La Fiesta Sound System*
Favela Rock DJ’s*
Tokyo Apartment Party DJ’s*
Thief Featuring DJ Gsan & Mugen with Paris Well*
Jennifer Tutty & Katie Drover
Hoops*
Funktrust DJ’s*
Uber Lingua DJ’s*
New Young Pony Club*
(* Lorne Only), (** Marion Bay only)

Ticketing
Ticket purchasing procedures changed again in 2007, extending on initial changes made to procedures in 2006. Changes included:
The extension of the ticket lottery from 50% to 80% of all tickets - intended to increase the equity of ticket sale

The centralisation of all ticket sales to the Falls Festival Website - intended to eliminate the need to line up outside stores overnight in order to purchase a ticket, as well as prevent criminal problems associated with it such as littering and drinking in public
The inclusion of a name and date of birth printed on the Festival ticket - intended to further restrict scalping practices

Tickets went on sale to the general public on Monday 10th of September at 9am AEST, with the 14,500 tickets to the Lorne event selling out on the day they were released.

Come Together Festival 2008

2008-04-03T14:31:00.000-07:00

Boasting a huge line-up of both Australian and International guests, Saturday attendees can expect to stay glued to the dancefloor while listening to the best that indie pop rock has to offer, while those that like it a bit harder and faster will find all their musical desires filled on Sunday, when you’ll get to see everything from punk to hardcore to alt rock and everything in between.
SATURDAY

Faker
VHS or Beta (USA)
The Thrills (Ire)
British India

Dappled Cities
Cut Off Your Hands (NZ)
Young & Restless
Sparkadia

Little Red
The Dirty Secrets
The Seabellies
I Heart Hiroshima

The Holidays
The Galvatrons
The John Steel Singers
Former Child Stars

Lions At Your Door
The Jezabels
The Vignettes
Purchase Saturday Tickets Now!
SUNDAY

The Living End
Gyroscope
Birds Of Tokyo
The Hot Lies

Mammal
Dead Letter Circus
The Getaway Plan
Children Collide

Trial Kennedy
Many Machines On 9
Calling All Cars
Skybombers

In Fiction
Stealing O'Neal
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The role of CoastFest

2008-04-03T14:26:00.000-07:00

FESTIVAL INFO
CoastFest Aims and Objectives

The role of the CoastFest Inc organization is to facilitate a yearly Festival which will take place on the Central Coast of NSW.

The Event will be primarily a music Festival and will encourage “non-mainstream” genres, such as Traditional Folk, World Music, Blues and Roots, as well as Alternative, Fusion and Contemporary Acoustic Music. The Festival will also be a celebration of the Art & Culture of the Central Coast and will include, dance, theatre, visual arts and crafts. It will also encourage participation by various cultural and community groups who will be able to demonstrate and share their skills, customs, beliefs and modes of spirituality, both during the festival and throughout the planning process.
Read more...

The making of a community DVD

During our inaugral festival in 2005, we recorded some of the features events, artists and the festival making process onto video. We were also lucky to have contributors who supplied many great images that we can now share with you.
The CoastFest 2005 experience is now available on DVD thanks to a great many contributors who provided footage, audio and photographs of this great community building event.

click here for a small web version of the video
Festival Site

CoastFest will take place at Point Wolstoncroft Sport and Recreation Camp, just 1.5hrs North of Sydney, and 30mins South of Newcastle near Gwandalan on beautiful Lake Maquarie.
The site is surrounded by water and bushland will be transformed by a vibrant sea of colour, with decorations, heaps of market stalls,and art installations that will re-create that magical CoastFest atmosphere.

As well as waterfront and bush camping tere is a range of Lodge and Villa accomadation complete with ensuite, kitchen and barbecue facilities.

Camping and accommodation IS limited so book your tickets early. Accommodation is open to CoastFest Members from 15th February and to general festival goers on 16th May

The History of The Blues at bridgetown

2008-04-03T14:23:00.000-07:00

Local residents Pip Mills, Sheila Howat and a small group of enthusiasts started to develop a festival that would go on to re-establish and empower the arts in the Blackwood region through music.

The group brought a range of musical performances into Bridgetown and progressed in ad hoc fashion until 1993, when Chris Hughs and the WA Tourism Commission offered support for the development of a Blues festival that could be promoted as an attraction to interstate and overseas visitors.

Public reaction to that proposal indicated overwhelming support and a committee was formed to develop an event that would cement Blues at Bridgetown as a leading music festival in WA.

The inaugural Blues at Bridgetown festival in 1993 was organised in six months and attracted about 5000 people, with the audience growing to nearly 12,000 the following year. The event is now so successful that visitors to the area triple the Shire’s population overnight.

The Blues at Bridgetown became an incorporated body on July 19th, 2000, which allowed the committee to embrace change and results in many more creative ideas for each festival.
festival contents LATEST NEWS FESTIVAL ACCOMMODATION THE FREE STREET PARTY MERCHANDISE APPLICATION FORMS VOLUNTEER NEWS FAQ'S TRAVEL DIRECTIONS OUR HISTORY OUR AIMS FESTIVAL ARCHIVE OUR SPONSORS
NEWS AT A GLANCE

Past BIG DAY OUT lineups of artists

2008-04-03T14:20:00.000-07:00

BIG DAY OUT 2007 - LINE UP
Toured nationally NZ/Aust except where indicated
INTERNATIONAL ACTS (two or more shows)
TOOLMUSE VIOLENT FEMMES THE STREETS THE KILLERS KASABIAN CRYSTAL METHOD DJs MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE JUSTICE PEACHES & HERMS TRIVIUM JOHN COOPER CLARKE AFRA & THE INC B'BOX BANSPANK ROCK LUCIANO (auckland, gold coast, sydney, melbourne)HOT CHIP (auckland, gold coast, sydney, melbourne) LILY ALLEN (auckland, gold coast, sydney, melbourne) LUPE FIASCO (auckland, gold coast, sydney, melbourne) DIPLO (auckland, gold coast, sydney, melbourne) THAT 1 GUY (auckland, gold coast, sydney, melbourne) DJ GEDO SUPER MEGA BITCH MRS FLINT 4 (gold coast, sydney, melbourne) HEAVY FLINT SHOW (gold coast, sydney, melbourne)
AUSTRALIAN/NZ ACTS (two or more shows)
JETESKIMO JOE JOHN BUTLER TRIO SCRIBE EVERMORE LITTLE BIRDY THE PRESETS SHAPESHIFTER (auckland, gold coast, sydney, melbourne) DJ SIR-VERE (auckland, gold coast, sydney, melbourne) P-MONEY (gold coast, sydney, melbourne) THE VINES SOMETHING FOR KATE (except auckland) YOU AM I (except auckland) BOB EVANS (except auckland) THE BUTTERFLY AFFECT (except auckland) THE SLEEPY JACKSON (except auckland) THE HERD (except auckland)SPAZZYS (except auckland) THE DRONES (except auckland) [LOVE] TATOO (except auckland) SICK PUPPIES (except auckland) SNOWMAN (except auckland) DIGITAL PRIMATE (except auckland) DJ MARK MURPHY (except auckland) FOREIGN HEIGHTS (gold coast, sydney, melbourne) TZU (gold coast, sydney, melbourne) MACROMANTICS (gold coast, sydney, melbourne) GERSEY (sydney, melbourne) GROUND COMPONENTS (sydney, melbourne)DAN KELLY & THE ALPHA MALES (sydney, melbourne)

Big Day Out 2006 Line Up
Toured nationally NZ/Aust except where indicatedINTERNATIONAL ACTS (two or more shows)
THE WHITE STRIPESIGGY & THE STOOGESFRANZ FERDINANDKINGS OF LEONTHE MARS VOLTASOULWAXHENRY ROLLINS (spoken word)2 MANY DJsSLEATER-KINNEYTHE MAGIC NUMBERSMUDVAYNETHE GO! TEAMTHE SUBWAYSDJ JAMES MURPHYTHE GREENHORNESCOMMONEDANVITALIC (aust only)M.I.A (syd, melb, adel, perth only)CAGED BABY(gold coast,syd,melb only)MU (gold coast,syd,melb only)AFRA & THE INC BEATBOX BAND (syd,melb only)
AUSTRALIAN/NZ ACTS (two or more shows)
THE LIVING ENDGERLINGDEI HAMOSHIHADWOLFMOTHERKID KENOBI + MC SHURESHOCKEND OF FASHIONFAST CREWHILLTOP HOODS (aust only)COG (aust only)BEASTS OF BOURBON (aust only)SONICANIMATION (aust only)SARAH BLASKO (aust only)AIRBOURNE (aust only)DJ AJAX (aust only)DJ JOHN FERRIS (aust only)THE PRESETS (aust only)MAGIC DIRT (aust only)CUT COPY (aust only)FAKER (aust only)THE GRATES (aust only)YOUTH GROUP (aust only)WOLF & CUB (aust only)BIT BY BATS (syd, melb, adel only)DRAG (gold coast, syd only)

Big Day Out 2005 Line UpToured nationally NZ/Aust except where indicatedINTERNATIONAL ACTS:BEASTIE BOYSCHEMICAL BROTHERSSYSTEM OF A DOWNTHE MUSICTHE DONNASTHE STREETSFREESTYLERSCARL COXBLUES EXPLOSIONSLIPKNOTHATEBREEDATMOSPHERELE TIGREKID 606THE HIVESPOLYPHONIC SPREERISE AGAINSTKID KOALARJD2MONEY MARKLEEROYELECTROCUTE AUSTRALIAN/NZ ACTS (two or more shows):POWDERFINGERGRINSPOONJOHN BUTLER TRIOCONCORD DAWNTHE D4REGURGITATORSCRIBE featuring P MONEYDECEPTIKONZEVERMORE (nz, east coast)FRENZAL RHOMB (aust only)THE MESS HALL (aust only)JONATHAN WALL (aust only)ESKIMO JOE (aust only)INFUSION (aust only)LITTLE BIRDY (aust only)DALLAS CRANE (aust only)BUTTERFINGERS (aust only)SPIDERBAIT (aust only)DECODER RING (aust only)HILLTOP HOODS (aust only)BEXTA (aust only)WOLFMOTHER (aust only)DIGITAL PRIMATE (east coast only)SPAZZYS (east coast only)CUT COPY (east coast only)THE COPS (syd, melb only)
Big Day Out 2004 Line UpToured nationally NZ/Aust except where indicatedINTERNATIONAL ACTS:METALLICAMUSETHE DANDY WARHOLSBLACK EYED PEASTHE DARKNESSKINGS OF LEONTHE STROKESBASEMENT JAXXTHE MARS VOLTAPOISON THE WELLTHE FLAMING LIPSAPHEX TWIN VIBERTAFRIKA BAMBAATAAFELIX DA HOUSECATTHURSDAYPEACHESDEFINITIVE JUX (NZ & east coast)AUDIO BULLYSDAVID HOLMESFEAR FACTORY (syd, melb)LOST PROPHETS (ex perth)AUSTRALIAN/NZ ACTS (two or more shows):HOODOO GURUS (aust only)SKULKER (aust only)THE SLEEPY JACKSON (aust only)MAGIC DIRT (aust only)JET (aust only)1200 TECHNIQUES (aust only)OPEN THOUGHT (east coast)THE DATSUNSGERLINGTHE BUTTERFLY EFFECT (aust only)SOMETHING FOR KATETREYPNAUBLOOD DUSTER (aust only)SONICANIMATION (aust only)PEE WEE FERRIS (aust only)SALMONELLA DUBFRIENDLY (aust only)GOODSHIRT (nz, gold coast, syd)KING KAPISISCRIBE & P-MONEYDOWNSYDE (aust only)KAMAHL (east coast)
Big Day Out 2003 Line UpToured nationally NZ/Aust except where indicatedJANES ADDICTIONUNDERWORLD (NZ and EAST COAST ONLY) FOO FIGHTERS KRAFTWERK THE MUSIC LUKE SLATER CHICKS ON SPEED WILCO GONZALES JEBEDIAH MURDERDOLLS PJ HARVEY SPARTA XZIBIT (NZ and East Coast Only) COG JIMMY EAT WORLD (SYD - MEL - ADEL - PERTH) MACHINE GUN FELLATIO THE WAIFS DJ KID KENOBI MILLENCOLIN WAIKIKI YOU AM I JEBEDIAH QUEENS OF THE STONEAGE LIVING END AUGIE MARCH DEFTONES MARK DYNAMIX RESIN DOGS DARREN PRICE (East coast only) THE VINES (AUSTRALIA ONLY) BLINDSPOTT (AUCKLAND ONLY) CONCORD DAWN (AUCKLAND ONLY) FRENZAL RHOMB (AUSTRALIA ONLY) PITCH BLACK (AUCKLAND ONLY) THE D4 (Auckland Only) THE HARD ONS (AUSTRALIA ONLY) WASH (AUCKLAND ONLY) DJ SIR VERE (AUCKLAND ONLY) BEXTA(live) (AUSTRALIA ONLY) 1200 TECHNIQUES (AUSTRALIA ONLY) 28 DAYS 8 FOOT SATIVA (AUCKLAND ONLY) DRY AND HEAVY (Sydney and Melbourne) EIGHT (AUCKLAND ONLY) KING KAPISI (AUCKLAND ONLY) PACIFIER PANAM (AUCKLAND ONLY) PNAU (Sydney and Melbourne) PRESHRUNK (Sydney and Melbourne) ROCKET SCIENCE (AUSTRALIA ONLY) TADPOLE (AUCKLAND ONLY) THE DATSUNS (AUCKLAND ONLY)
Big Day Out 2002 Line UpToured nationally NZ/Aust except where indicatedINTERNATIONAL ACTS:The ProdigyGarbageNew OrderThe Crystal MethodNOFXJurassic 5Dave ClarkeSystem of a Down (auck & east coast)Alien Ant Farm (auck & east coast)The White StripesKosheenDrowning Pool Peaches (auck & east coast)The Tea Party (adel, perth)Tomahawk (adel, perth)Audio Active (auck & east coast)Basement JaxxAmenAUSTRALIAN/NZ ACTS (two or more shows):SilverchairRegurgitatorGrinspoon (aust only)Stephen Allkins (aust only)GerlingSomething for Kate (aust only)Spiderbait (aust only)Magic Dirt (aust only)Superheist (aust only)Eskimo Joe (aust only)The Monarchs (aust only)Machine Gun Fellatio (aust only)GT (aust only)Sonic Animation (aust only)Betchadupa (auck, gc,syd, melb)Sean Quinn (aust only)Shutterspeed (gc, syd)Dern Rutlidge (syd,melb)Shihad
Big Day Out 2001 Line UpToured nationally NZ/Aust except where indicatedINTERNATIONAL ACTS:AT THE DRIVE-IN (G.C., Syd, Melb)BLACK EYED PEAS (Auck, G.C., Syd, Melb, Perth)COLDPLAY DARREN EMERSONHAPPY MONDAYSLIMP BIZKIT (Auck, G.C., Syd)MUDVAYNE PJ HARVEYPLACEBOQUEENS OF THE STONE AGE (Syd,Melb,Adel,Perth)RAMMSTEINRONI SIZE REPRAZENTZOO BOMBS CARL COXADAM FREELANDSUGARDRIVE (Syd, Adel, Perth)AUSTRALIAN/NZ ACTS (two or more shows):28 DAYS ALEX LLOYD (Aust.only)THE AVALANCHES (Aust. only)BEXTA FRENZAL RHOMBFRIENDLY JOHN BUTLER TRIO ( G.C.,Syd,Melb)KILLING HEIDI NITOCRIS (Aust. only)POWDERFINGERPNAU RESIN DOGSSKULKER ( G.C.,Syd,Melb)SUNK LOTO (Aust. only)SONIC ANIMATION (Aust. only)YOU AM I (Aust. only)KING KAPISI (Auck, G.C.,Syd, Melb)GREG CHURCHILLDECLAN (G.C., Syd, Adel, Perth)COLOURED STONE (G.C., Syd, Melb)AUGIE MARCH (G.C., Melb, Adel)THE GOBETWEENS (Aust. only)DIGITAL PRIMATE (G.C, Syd, Melb)
Big Day Out 2000 Line UpToured nationally NZ/Aust except where indicatedINTERNATIONAL ACTS:ATARI TEENAGE RIOTBASEMENT JAXXBETH ORTONBLINK 182THE CHEMICAL BROTHERSFOO FIGHTERSGOLDIE & MC RAGEHARDKNOX (Auck, G.C., Syd, Melb)THE HELLACOPTERSJOE STRUMMER & THE MESCALEROSNINE INCH NAILSPRIMAL SCREAM (Aust.only)RED HOT CHILI PEPPERSOZOMATLI (Syd, Melb)AUSTRALIAN/NZ ACTS (two or more shows):28 DAYS (G.C., Syd, Melb)CHUNKY MOVE (Aust.only)THE CRUEL SEA (Aust. only)GERLING (Aust. only)GRINSPOONHONEYSMACK (Aust. only)ICECREAM HANDS (G.C., Melb, Adel, Perth)JEBEDIAH (Aust. only)JOSH ABRAHAMS & AMEIL DAEMION (Aust. only)KILLING HEIDI (Syd, Melb)MAGIC DIRT (Aust. only)THE MONARCHS (G.C., Syd)NOKTURNL (Aust. only)PEEWEE FERRIS PITCH BLACK (Auck, G.C., Syd, Melb)POUND SYSTEM (Aust. only)RESIN DOGS (Aust. only)SALMONELLA DUB (Auck, G.C., Syd, Melb)SEAN QUINN ( Aust. only)SHIHAD SIX FT HICK ( Melb, Adel)SOMETHING FOR KATE ( G.C., Syd, Melb)SPIDERBAIT TESTEAGLES ( G.C., Syd, Melb, Adel)YOTHU YINDI
Big Day Out 1999 Line UpToured nationally NZ/Aust except where indicatedINTERNATIONAL ACTS:ASHDEEJAY PUNK-ROCFATBOY SLIMFUN LOVIN' CRIMINALS (Auck, G.C., Syd, Melb)HOLEKORNLUKE SLATER FREEK FUNKMANIC STREET PREACHERS (Syd, Melb, Adel, Perth)MARILYN MANSONRONI SIZESEAN LENNONSOULFLYUNDERWORLD (Syd, Melb)SPARKLEHORSE (Auck, G.C., Syd, Melb)AUSTRALIAN/NZ ACTS (two or more shows):WARUMPI BAND (Aust. only)REGURGITATORPOWDERFINGER JEBEDIAH THE LIVING END SUPERJESUSGARAGELAND (Auck, G.C., Syd)FUR (Aust. only)SONIC ANIMATION BEXTA (Aust. only)RANSOM (Aust. only)GROOVE TERMINATOR HAPPYLAND (G.C., Syd, Melb, Adel)TISM (Syd, Melb)ANTENNA (G.C., Syd, Melb)EVEN (Aust. only)NOT FROM THERE (Aust. only)BODYJAR (Aust. only)MARK OF CAIN ( Melb, Perth)RESIN DOGS (G.C., Syd)B(IF)TEK (Syd, Melb)FRONTSIDE (Syd, Melb)CODA (G.C., Syd)SOMA RASA (G.C., Syd)
Big Day Out 1997 Line UpToured nationally NZ/Aust except where indicatedINTERNATIONAL ACTS:SOUNDGARDENTHE OFFSPRINGTHE PRODIGY FEAR FACTORY SUPERGRASSSHONEN KNIFE LEMONHEADS (Auck)PATTI SMITH (G.C., Syd, Melb)JON SPENCER BLUES EXPLOSION (Melb, Syd)ROCKET FROM THE CRYPT (Syd, Adel)APHEX TWIN (Melb, Syd)AUSTRALIAN/NZ BANDS (two or more shows):YOU AM I POWDERFINGER BEASTS OF BOURBONTIDDASDAVE GRANEY & THE CORAL SNAKESBOO BOO MACE & NUTCASE SUPERJESUS (Aust. only)SNOUT (Aust. only)THE CLOUDS (G.C., Syd, Perth)INSURGE (G.C., Melb, Syd)SCREAMFEEDER (G.C., Syd)EVEN (G.C., Melb, Adel)DROP CITY (G.C., Syd, Adel)SEVERED HEADS (G.C., Syd)DLT (G.C., Melb, Syd, Adel)OMC (Aust. only)FSOM (G.C., Melb, Syd)BEXTA (G.C., Syd, Adel, Perth)POCKET (G.C., Adel, Perth)FRENZAL RHOMB (Melb, Syd, Adel, Perth)THE FAUVES (Melb, Syd)THE MAVIS'S (Melb, Adel)
Big Day Out 1996 Line UpToured nationally NZ/Aust except where indicatedINTERNATIONAL ACTS:PORNO FOR PYROSRAGE AGAINST THE MACHINEELASTICATHE PRODIGY (Aust. only)RANCIDTHE JESUS LIZARDTRICKY (Auck, G.C., Syd, Melb)BILLY BRAGG (Auck, G.C., Syd, Melb)REEF (G.C., Syd,Melb)AUSTRALIAN / N.Z. ACTS (two or more shows):NICK CAVE & THE BAD SEEDST.I.S.M. TUMBLEWEEDREGURGITATOR SPIDERBAITRADIO BIRDMAN (Aust. only)SHIHADDIRTY THREE (Aust.only)SIDEWINDER (Aust. only)MAGIC DIRT (Aust.only)AMMONIA (Aust.only)CUSTARD (G.C., Syd, Melb, Perth)POWDERFINGER (G.C., Syd, Melb)POLLYANNA (G.C., Syd, Melb, Adel)DJ SUGAR RAY (G.C., Syd, Melb, Adel)SINGLE GUN THEORY (G.C., Syd, Adel, Perth)SOUTHEND (G.C., Syd)EVEN (Syd, Melb, Adel)AMUNDA (Syd, Adel)CONTINUUM (Syd, Melb)GROOVE TERMINATOR (Adel, Perth)FSOM (Aust. only)
Big Day Out 1995 Line UpToured nationally NZ/Aust except where indicatedINTERNATIONAL ACTS:MINISTRYPRIMAL SCREAMHOLE (Auck, Melb, Syd)THE CULTOFFSRPING (Auck, Melb, Syd, Adel, Perth)SCREAMING TREES (Aust. Only)LUSCIOUS JACKSON FUNDAMENTALAUSTRALIAN/NZ ACTS (two or more shows):THE CLOUDSYOU AM I SILVERCHAIR ALLEGIANCEKIM SALMON (Aust. only)THE FIREBALLS (Aust. only)MARK OF CAIN (Aust. only)3d's FUR (Aust. only)DJ PEE WEE FERRIS (Aust. only)DJ SUGAR RAY (Aust. only)VISION FOUR 5 (Aust. only)SNOG (Aust. only)COSMIC PSYCHOS (Melb, G.C., Adel)SISTERS UNDERGROUND/OMC MAGIC DIRT (Melb, Syd, G.C.)SUPERGROOVE (Auck,Melb,Syd)DAVE GRANEY (Melb, Syd)SPIDERBAIT (Melb,Syd)SOUTHEND (Syd, G.C., Adel)SINGLE GUN THEORY (Melb, Syd, G.C.)BOXCAR (G.C., Syd, Adel)SEVERED HEADS (Auck, Syd)FRONT END LOADER (Melb, G.C.)MANTISSA (Melb, Adel)
Big Day Out 1994 Line UpToured nationally NZ/Aust except where indicatedINTERNATIONAL ACTS:SOUNDGARDENTHE RAMONES (Aust. only)BJORK (Aust.only)SMASHING PUMPKINSTEENAGE FANCLUB (Aust. only)THE BREEDERSPRIMUS (Melb & Syd)URGE OVERKILL (Melb, Syd & Auck)AUSTRALIAN/NZ ACTS (two or more shows):THE CRUEL SEA TUMBLEWEEDDJ PEE WEE FERRIS(G.C., Syd, Melb, Adel)DEF FXSTRAITJACKET FITSTHE MEANIES (Aust. only)T.I.S.M. (G.C., Syd & Adel)SCREAMFEEDER (G.C., Syd, Adel)YOU AM I (G.C. & Auck)POWDERFINGER (G.C., Melb)TIDDAS (Aust. only)ROBERT FORSTER (G.C., Melb)SEVERED HEADS (Aust. only)DJ SUGAR RAY (G.C., Melb, Syd, Adel)ITCH-E & SCRATCH-E (G.C., Melb, Syd, Adel)CELIBATE RIFLES (Melb, Syd, Perth)MARK OF CAIN (Syd, Adel)BOXCAR (Syd, Adel)HARD ONS (G.C., Auck)SOUTHEND (G.C., Syd)DAVE GRANEY (Melb, Syd)
Big Day Out 1993 Line UpSYDNEY, MELBOURNE, ADELAIDE & PERTH ONLYINTERNATIONAL ACTS:IGGY POPSONIC YOUTHDISPOSABLE HEROES OF HIPHOPRISYMUDHONEYCARTER THE UNSTOPPABLE SEX MACHINEHELMET (Melb & Syd only)AUSTRALIAN ACTS (two or more shows):BEAST OF BOURBONNICK CAVE AND THE BAD SEEDS THE CLOUDS THE HARD ONSYOU AM INOT DROWNING WAVING (Melb, Syd)
Big Day Out 1992 Line UpSYDNEY ONLYINTERNATIONAL ACTS:NIRVANAVIOLENT FEMMESMASSAPPEALAUSTRALIAN ACTS (two or more shows):BEASTS OF BOURBONCELIBATE RIFLESDIED PRETTYRAT CATTHE CLOUDSYOTHU YINDICLUB HOYCOSMIC PSYCHOSFALLING JOYSSOUND UNLIMITED POSSEBOX THE JESUITSHELLMENTHE VILLAGE IDIOTSYOU AM ISMUDGETHE MEANIESTHE WELCOME MATTHE HARD ONS w/ HENRY ROLLINS

Australian Gospel Music Festival

2008-04-03T14:14:00.000-07:00

Despite humble beginnings in 1999, the Australian Gospel Music Festival (AGMF) has established itself as a major festival on Australia’s event calendar attracting tens of thousands of locals and visitors annually to Toowoomba’s city centre. Now, ten years since it started, the festival is transitioning its name to ‘Easterfest’.

Right from the beginning, the name Australian Gospel Music Festival has required further explanation. In Australia, the term ‘gospel music’ has never had a clear definition. Some people, who immediately thought of African-American choirs in robes, were surprised to find that the festival included almost every musical style from classical to rock.

Organisers of the festival select music because of its message rather than its style. It is hoped that the new name ‘Easterfest’ will take some of the confusion out of the broad styles of music on offer and help define the event as a festival celebrating the true message of Easter.
Festival organiser Isaac Moody says, “AGMF has always been a festival AT Easter. The new name acknowledges that we are also a festival ABOUT Easter.”

Other reasons for changing the name are less philosophical but more practical.• The ‘Australian Gospel Music Festival’ is simply too long to be an effective website or Myspace name.• Abbreviations have appeared such as ‘gosfest’, ‘gospel festival’ and the better-known ‘AGMF’. In an era where consistent branding is paramount, the festival has suffered from the multiple names.• The festival now incorporates more than just music. Snowboarding, Kids Island and the Global Village all make more sense at ‘Easterfest’.

Organisers acknowledge that changing the name of such a popular event has its challenges.
“Changing the name of any organisation is a difficult thing to do, however, with next year being our 10th anniversary we have a unique window of opportunity to make a smooth transition.”
“The festival’s massive marketing campaign is about to roll out as ‘Easterfest 08 – AGMF turns 10!’.”

The Aquarius Festival

2008-04-03T14:10:00.000-07:00

The Aquarius Festival was a counter-cultural arts and music festival organised by the Australian Union of Students and sponsored by Peter Stuyvesant. The first one was held in Canberra in 1971, while the second, and last, was held in Nimbin, New South Wales in 1973. The ten day event (12-23 May 1973), co-directed by Johnny Allen and Graeme Dunstan, had a permanent effect on the economy of Nimbin, as many Festival participants decided to remain in the district which was previously a dairying and banana growing region in severe decline. Some of those that stayed might self-describe as "hippies", but the larger mass came from all sorts of backgrounds and life experience, ranging from 18 to 80, and would resent that label.

One group pooled resources after the Nimbin Aquarius Festival and bought a then 1,200-acre (4.9 km²) property at Tuntable Falls in the next valley east, below Mt Nardi, and formed a community called the "Co-Ordination Co-Operative". Other groups followed suit.

While "Multiple Occupancy" was basically a cheap housing alternative, there were some self-described spiritual communities that shared particular values, like Bodhi Farm and Darmananda, but they tended to be closer to the neighbouring The Channon and Terania Creek than Nimbin.

Mullumbimby and Byron Bay attracted more of the moneyed "New Age" people, while Nimbin attracted impecunious wanderers and back-packers.

Within a decade the "Aquarians" were outnumbered by the continuing flow of disaffected urbanites and tree-changers coming into the area.

History of Woodford Folk Festival

2008-04-03T04:24:00.000-07:00

The Woodford Folk Festival is an event of international standing. Held over six days and six nights it presents more than 2000 performers and 400 events with concerts, dances, workshops, forums, street theatre, writers' panels, film festival, comedy sessions, acoustic jams, social dialogue and debate, an entire children's festival, art and craft workshops, late night cabarets and special events including a spectacular fire event. The Festival features the cream of Australian performers and a generous gathering of special international guests.

LAND HISTORY - Woodford Land

The Woodford land was purchased in July 1994 for the purpose of securing a permanent site for the then Maleny Folk Festival. The festival was first held at the Maleny showgrounds on the Easter long weekend of 1987. From that time until 1993, the festival kept growing at a spectacular rate and after the eighth festival (1992/93) it was obvious to all that it no longer fit in the venue. The ninth Maleny/Woodford Festival had an aggregate attendance of some 65,000 people.

The entire organising group had been searching for a venue for years, but it was not until July 1994 that the Woodford site was secured. The Infrastructure Project at Woodford commenced on the 2nd September 1994, just 15 weeks before the Festival started. This project saw the foundations laid for future robust site infrastructure including 16 mega-litre dam, an extensive network of vehicular and pedestrian roads, pedestrian bridges, an underground sewage system, sullage and water reticulation, drainage and venue earthworks. Due to limited hire options at the time the construction of the first camping shower and toilet blocks and a million other tasks were only completed literally minutes before the Festival commenced. The festival was opened on the new land on the 28 December 1994 and was called the Maleny Folk Festival Woodford.

In 1997 the tree planting weekends commenced with people coming to the land for the weekend to participate in tree planting and cultural activities. Since 1997 over 60,000 trees have been planted on the site. This project has made considerable inroads in transforming the site from a dairy farm to environmental parklands dedicated to the arts and humanities.

Each year since the first Woodford Festival, improvements have been made to the site. The majority of these improvements have been made possible due to the generous support of the festival organisers and volunteers and the Queensland Government. In addition to the initial infrastructure, site improvements include 36 amenity blocks, extensive mains power installations, water treatment plant installation and site contouring.

In December 2003 the QFF purchased an additional 82 acre block of land located adjacent to the current site. This purchase has increased the size of the QFF property to 320 acres.

In 2004 improvements are continuing with an extensive site mapping project underway, the installation of a security system, development of new camping areas on the new land, increases in water storage and upgrades to the mains power supply and reticulation.

Woodford Folk Festival

The Brisbane Blues Festival

2008-04-03T04:23:00.001-07:00

The Brisbane Blues Festival returns to The Waterloo Hotel for one last time!

The Barn, located at the back of The Waterloo Hotel complex, one of Brisbane’s longest running venues and always a mainstay on the live music scene has a date with the wrecking ball in March 08 but not before we help to celebrate its rich history with one last blues festival. Nine fan favourites from the event’s past 15 year history will gather together to help bring this chapter of The Brisbane Blues Festival to a rousing close. The festival will live on in a new home next year but not before we have a chance to send out The Waterloo Hotel Barn in style.

Still featuring a two-stage format so the live music is non-stop from 3:00 PM till late. The band times are sequenced so the punters can catch the complete set of every band on the bill. The air-conditioned venue also features a fine restaurant that will be open during the event.

Doors open at 2:30 PM and the first live act starts at 3:00 PM.
The event will run till late.

All day admission is only $20 and tickets will be available at the door on the day.

This year featuring: Natural Ball, The Mason Rack Band, Mick Hadley & The Atomic Boogie Band, The J.B.Lewis Band (featuring Josh Bambridge), Big Kitty & the Scaredy Cats, Hat Fitz, Shakey Shaun’s Blues Review, The Asa Broomhall Band and Mojo Webb and Band.

The Brunswick Music Festival

2008-04-03T04:22:00.000-07:00

The Brunswick Music Festival has been held annually in February-March since 1989 and is one of Victoria's premier music festivals and a major multi cultural event for Australia. The festival is an integral part of a statewide circuit of visual, sporting, culinary and performing art celebrations held in the early months of the year - during Australia's summer and autumn seasons.

Home to the Festival is the City of Moreland, one of the most culturally diverse communities in Australia with 35% of its residents born outside Australia and with many languages other than English spoken in the home. Cultural activities have produced a vibrant artistic community with a growing emergence in the last decade. This influx of artists continues to shape and change the cultural life of the City. Amidst this colourful backdrop, the Brunswick Music Festival has emerged, bringing world music to our doorsteps!

For 2008 in its 20th incarnation the Brunswick Music Festival celebrates in style with a line-up of the world's best in world, folk and roots music, a spectacular opening night concert, classic films played to contemporary scores and as always the Sydney Road Street Party to get it all underway. READ MORE
Internationals
Ruthie Foster (US), Peggy Seeger (US), Elana James (US), Eddi Reader (Sco), Mamadou Diabate (Mali), The Duhks (Can), Genticorum (Can), Guy Davis (US) Bob Fox (UK), Truckstop Honeymoon (US) Martin Hayes (Ire) & Dennis Cahill (US) and Mike Compton (US) and… the musicians and dancers of Xianyang (China)

Australian
Archie Roach, Zulya & the Children of the Underground, Eric Bogle, Shane Howard, Dave Arden, Vika and Linda Bull, Dan Sultan, Martin Martini, Counterfeit Gypsies, The Yearlings, Judy Small, Duck Musique, Circle of Rhythm, Fitzgerald Family Band, Headbelly Buzzard, Stiletto Sisters, Diana Clark, Doug de Vries, Rose Turtle Ertler and many more.

Performed in the City of Moreland at Town halls, Performing Arts Centres, Pubs and Clubs and Arts Precincts. Featuring more than 80 shows and over 100 individual performances.
2008 Brunswick Music Festival
Thursday 28 February - 16 March

Bookings open Monday 21 January

The festival embraces in its programming several major community celebrations, including the free Music for the People Concert at the Coburg Town Hall (Saturday afternoon) and Sydney Road Street Party (Sunday), which is held on the weekend prior to Victoria's Labour Day long weekend in March as a signal for the beginning of festival celebrations. The Sydney Road Street Party is a free community event attracting in excess of 70,000 patrons.

In addition to the incalculable cultural and artistic benefit to the community, the economic impact of the Brunswick Music Festival and Sydney Road Street Party is calculated at bringing more than $2.5 million into the Moreland Community.

History of Australian Blues Music Festival.

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Local publicans George and Maryanne Lipman and Richard Simmer of the Tattersalls Hotel, founded the Australian Blues Music Festival in 1997 with the first Festival held at the Goulburn Recreation Area (showground).

Besides celebrating their love of Australian Blues Music, the Festival was seen as an opportunity to increase the level of visitation to the Goulburn District during a time of year in which numbers were traditionally low.

In 1999, due to increasing infrastructure costs of the Festival, it was sold to Goulburn City Council. As a Council-run event the format changed to a multi-venue Festival held in various venues throught the Goulburn historic CBD including pubs, clubs, restaurants, cafes and Goulburn's beautiful Belmore Park.

The Festival's reputation as the National Festival of Australian Blues Music has attracted the widespread support of the Australian blues music industy, appreciation societies, patrons and volunteers.

The Festival consists of a variety of ticketed and free performances plus open mic and jam sessions, workshops, markets and a specialty vintage guitar and amp shop.

The Festival continues to be a Council-owned and run event (now Goulburn Mulwaree Council). It is held annually on the second weekend in February, with performances commencing on the Thursday night with the independently owned and run Australian Blues Music 'Chain' Awards and the official opening of the Festival at the Tattersalls Hotel - the traditional home and heart of the Australian Blues Music Festival.

Kangaroo Valley Folk Festival

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Kangaroo Valley Folk Festival 12th, 13th, 14th September 2008

Two hours drive from both Canberra and Sydney, we have one of the most beautiful and convenient locations in Australia and we look forward to sharing it with folk music enthusiasts.Kangaroo Valley Folk Festival has an array of Australian and international folk performers. The program includes musicians, buskers, dancers, poets, workshops, folk dances, blackboard venues and special school concerts.Camping is available at several Valley locations, including the Glenmack Caravan Park, right next door to the showground. A wide range of accommodation is available throughout Kangaroo Valley to cater for every taste and budget. Parking is adjacent to the main arena.All visitors should check out the Tourist Association website for full details about Kangaroo Valley, including our history, climate, accommodation, activities and amenities.

The Toyota Muster

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The Toyota Muster, held over six magical days and unforgettable nights among the towering gums of Amamoor Creek State Forest Park, celebrates the true spirit of country Australia. It's a phenomenal experience rooted in music and community, far removed from ties and clocks, suits and schedules. Thousands of patrons flock to this iconic event, attracted each year by the smorgasbord of diverse programs rich with our country's finest musicians, the bushland setting laced with inviting whiffs of campfire cooking and fresh bush eucalypt, the easy camaraderie created by convivial patrons all set to simply enjoy themselves... 'there are no strangers at the Muster, just friends you haven't met yet..'

Over the years, the growth of the Toyota Muster has enabled the entertainment line up to diversify into an exciting mix of musical genres while still maintaining its strong country focus - 170 shows total over 227 hours of pure country! As well as traditional and modern country, entertainment within 13 other stages and venues includes an aural collage ranging from folk, bluegrass, balladeers and gospel, to blues, bush poetry, clogging, linedancing, swing and rock 'n roll ... there's even a short film festival and the serious competition of the Maton Talent Search where future careers are established.

The Muster's picturesque 50-hectare site is an ideal location for this great festival. The site, 2 hours drive north of Brisbane, 40 minutes from Noosa and 1 hour from heritage listed Fraser Island, is easily accessible by large vehicles - just watch for meandering cows!
The forest becomes a mini-city at the end of August each year, with a general store, sit-down and take-away food and bar outlets, phones, EFTPOS and other essential services. A massive dual Main Stage is in the heart of the entertainment precinct, which also contains 13 other diverse venues. All venues are within easy walking distance and all only a short stroll through forest paths to the camping areas. Click here to see a site map.

Clearly laid out camping grounds surround the entertainment area and plenty of regularly serviced toilets and hot showers are distributed throughout the site. Camping costs are included in the one ticket price (camping only available for the duration of the ticket purchased) and grounds are accessible by caravan, motorhome, bus and other large vehicles.
If bringing your own tent is a 'chore' take advantage of the on-site accommodation already set up for you, with a number of packages, including Banjo's B&B, Banjo's Gold B&B and Budget, being available.Banjo's offers private cabin-style tent accommodation. Your tent is ready for you when you arrive, with internal lighting, carpet and beds. Just bring your own bedding, towels and personal requirements.Banjo's Gold offers patrons the same benefits but with motel-like service. Linen and pillows are provided and beds are made ready for your arrival. Both packages include 4 nights accommodation (Thurs 28 - Sun 31 August 2008 incl) with breakfasts. Accommodation for Tues 26/Wed 27 August is available upon request for both Banjo's and Banjo's Gold.Budget offers roomy cabin-style tents, ready for you when you arrive. Complete with internal lighting, carpet and camp-style beds, you need only bring your own bedding, towels and personal requirements. Packages from 1 - 6 nights.Alternatively there is accommodation available within an hours drive both on the Sunshine Coast and the Cooloola Region.
Click here to see more details on camping and accommodation options.

To keep an eye on the event and program updates as they happen, subscribe to the Muster's FREE electronic newsletter. The newsletter, with some 12,000 current subscribers, is just like a country music magazine, providing up to the minute program and ticket information. The newsletter also includes all the latest news - on CD releases, details of artists' gigs from right around Australia, who's on the charts and general music industry gossip. A quick glance at the headlines keeps you informed, and you can click onto the associated web address for more info. Click here to subscribe. It's that easy!
If you've already discovered how great the Muster's FREE electronic newsletter is don't keep it to yourself, TELL YOUR FRIENDS.

Over 50 community groups and 2000 volunteers annually help the event organisers, Gympie Apex Club Inc, to stage this non-profit community-based festival to raise funds to assist charities Australia-wide. Since it's inception in 1982, the Muster has raised over $11M for charities and community groups. The Toyota Muster also raises funds through it's Rural Aid Appeal, annually raising up to $100,000 for it's nominated charity. Funds are raised through sales from a range of merchandise which includes CDs & DVDs, shirts, caps, leathergoods and Bundaberg Rum, Driza-Bone and XXXX merchandise. Click here to see the merchandise range.
This phenomenal festival makes a difference - by giving something back to rural and regional Australia.

In 1982, Gympie based country music trio, the Webb Brothers, picked up a Golden Guitar for "Who Put The Roo In The Stew?" at the Tamworth Country Music Festival - a celebration was called for! fter enlisting the help of the local Apex Club of Gympie (always ready for a party), a celebratory fund-raiser was held on the Webb's 100-year old property at Thornside. A ball and dinner on the Saturday night was followed by a selection of acts on the Sunday, the Muster's first Main Stage built out of bush timber and borrowed Queensland Rail tarpaulins. The showers were jam tins with holes punched into them, drophole toilets sufficed, drinking water was trucked to the site and patrons could buy a season pass for just $20. Announcers from 4KQ compered the show and SEQ Television produced a special program commemorating the event. All up $9,600 was spent on entertainment (which is about two-percent of today's budget), a couple of thousand people attended and the club generated a surplus of around $12,000 for charity. The first Muster was deemed a roaring success.

After three years, the event had grown significantly. The Club decided that another site was essential - permanent facilities could be established to ensure the ongoing growth of the event. The site chosen was an area of land owned by the Queensland Forestry Department. It was agreed that the site have a multiple use as a State Forest Park which would utilise the Muster's facilities The 1985 Muster was held at Amamoor Creek State Forest Park. From there, the event has continued each year to grow in attendance and in profile. As more and more patrons attended, Muster organisers developed venues, among the first were the infamous CrowBar, Muster Club and the Talent Search.

In 1993, Australia was suffering the worst drought on record. The Club decided to commit all funds raised to support the national drought appeal. As a result, the Rural Aid Appeal was initiated. The Appeal annually raises funds for a major charity each year through the sale of compilation CDs and a range of specially designed merchandise. Over the years, Rural Aid beneficiaries have included Diabetes Australia, the Royal Flying Doctor Service, Leukaemia Foundation, Youth Suicide Prevention, VISE (Volunteers for Isolated Students Education), Transplant Australia and the Melanoma Foundation.

The Gympie Apex Club Inc remain to this day, the organisers of the event. The event has grown each year and has never failed to make a profit - which is distributed among worthy charities, both locally and nationally. An ever-growing number of community groups are also involved in the staging of the event, and for most, it is their major fundraiser for the year. There is a real sense of community ownership in the Muster with now more than 50 local community groups involved in the event's success.

Since its inception, the Muster has raised more than $11,000,000 dollars for charities Australia-wide and annually raises up to $100,000 for the Rural Aid Appeal.

The Tweed Valley Banana Festival

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The Tweed Valley Banana Festival is a family orientated festival that involves all sections of the local community.

All of our wonderful winners for 2007Several thousand visitors arrive to see our Street Parade which provides a Carnival atmosphere for the Main Day activities which are held at the Murwillumbah Show Ground with many staying in town during the week of the Festival.Colour and pagantry is provided with the participation of our youth in the Prince, Jnr. Princess , Senior Princess, Teen Queen & Festival Queen Competitions. The Queens may choose to compete for the title of Charity Queen and raise monies for local charities with over $36.000 being raised last year.

Our 2007 Miss Charity- Miss Leah RosevearThe theme "Medieval Madness" was a roaring success and due to the cancelation of the Street Carnival because of bad weather we will be staging the same theme for2008.

MEDIEVAL MADNESS II - "The return of the Banana Bunch"
Following on with the success of last years theme, and the fact that our Street Parade was washed out, we bring to you Medieval Madness II " The return of the Banana Bunch". This will enable those people who spent so much times and effort in building their floats , to resurrect them for this years festival So it's back to Medieval Times with marauding merenary hordes, vikings and knights of old with damsels in distress and mighty dragons.Let us look at the combatants:M.E.A.D. - Mercenary Elite of Age of Darkness.- A Dark Age Living History Society based near Byron Bay. M.E.A.D. formed in January 2007 after fighting and training in other mercenary groups for nearly two and half years. M.E.A.D. created something completely unique, a multicultural tribe of warriors that represent the WORLD'S elite fighters in the dark ages. From Celts, Gauls, Saxons and Francs, Welsh, Norsemen, Picts, Romano British, Japanese and Chilean cultures.A light in Dark Age times.Men and women are part of this unique combat tribe, along with a group of archers, merchants and artisians.We recreate the lost arts - freely teaching how to hand-make arrows, shields, armour, weapons, tents, clothing, flags, chain maile, period garb, and encampments. M.E.A.D. is the only medieval club in the northern rivers that make all their own weapons, arrows,shoes, clothes and armour. As living history we are the only group that fit into the criteria of local and hand made everything. Participating in festivals, feasts, interstate and interclub events are also an essential part of our tribal group. Learning as much as we can as we go and sharing it with all those who wish to learn.M.E.A.D. welcome the oppurtunity to meet their local community and share thier passion for combat and culture.24th and 25th August Murwullumbah Harvest FestivalM.E.A.D. will be premiered along with members from M.I.C.K - Medieval Irish & Celtic Knights; the Jorth Gar Garrison of The New Varangian Guard, the Blue Mountains Mercenarys, Irish dancers, and other medieval re-enactment groups joining upJORTH GAR GARRISON OF THE NEW VARANGIAN GUARDJorth Gar is a professional performance Dark Ages Re-enactment group which operates from Tamborine Mountain on the Qld Gold Coast. We are an official garrison of the New Varangian Guard.The New Varangian Guard is a inter-national organization which re-enacts the lifestyle and combat of the Viking and Eastern mercenaries that served the Byzantine Empire. These Rus and Viking warriors were given by Prince Vladimir of Kiev, to the Byzantine Emperor Basil II in recognition of his military treaty with the Rus.The Varangian Guard were an elite unit that served as the Byzantine Emperor's personal bodyguard on the battlefield and within his palace at Constantinople. They were well equipped, well paid and had a reputation for being fearless and accomplished warriors; and for absolute loyalty. Even though their new employers were strongly Christian Orthodox, many of these Rus and Viking warriors held fast to their traditional pagan ideals and spirit. They derived inspiration from their ancestors and kinsmen-ship. The Jorth Gar branch of the New Varangian Guard concentrates primarily on the earlier Varangian Guardsmen of Viking origin and their many exploits and accomplishments. It is with these Varangians from which Jorth Gar derives its identity and focus. We also re-enact warriors that have returned back to their homelands, very wealthy and with great prestige, after active service in the Guard.An opportunity now exists for you and your family to travel back in time to experience life during the Dark Ages with members of The New Varangian Guard. Come and watch their combat displays, visit their encampment and talk to the Sons of Odin and the Daughters of Freya - warriors and craftsmen of the Jorth Gar Garrison of The New Varangian Guard.

Great Southern Blues & Rockabilly Festival

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Welcome to the 12th annual Great Southern Blues & Rockabilly Festival and what a weekend it will be.Narooma will be our home for the next 3 years following feedback from many of our festival goers. Over the summer months we have been busy reading all of the suggestions that have been sent to us which in turn helps our planning for this year's festival.Whilst we are nowhere near the biggest festival in Australia, we still offer a 'down to earth' and friendly festival that offers great value for money.Here at festival headquarters we are planning what will be without doubt our best festival yet. We are always interested in your suggestions and comments so please keep them coming. We are refining our festival site to include better staging and facilities all designed to make your festival even more memorable. The line up we are working on for this year's festival is sure to satisfy the most diehard fan.A fantastic blend of international, national and local artists performing over the weekend on the multi stage, all weather site. Be sure to keep checking this website for additions to the line up with the first announcements due on June 1st.Part of our success has been the fact that we don't try to compete with other major festivals around the country. Our intimate site in the middle of town has been a huge success. Look for some subtle refinements to make your festival even more memorable.This year we will again be operating our 'Festival' specific camping area on Smyth Oval which offers camping for the festival patron who never wants to have to travel far to rest at the end of each day.The festival clashes with both NRL and AFL Grand Finals. Once again we have you covered with both games being beamed into the festival site where they can be viewed on our 'Big Screen' in the middle of the site.In previous years and again last year the festival sold out on a number of performance days. Be sure to purchase your tickets in advance to avoid missing out.If you have been to this festival you can understand what it is all about. If you have not been we suggest you check it out...

The Australian Blues Music Festival

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The Australian Blues Music Festival is The National Festival of Australian Blues Music. It is held in a variety of venues throughout the historic Goulburn CBD on the second (full) weekend of February every year.

The Festival showcases the very best of emerging and established blues acts from around Australia and features workshops with the artists, a weekend-long open mic, Youth in Blues Jam, buskers vintage guitar and amp shop, markets, industry 'meet and greet' forum, the Australian Blues Music 'Chain' Awards and the traditional end of Festival highlight - the All-Star Pro-Jam.

It's a friendly little festival/industry event with intimate performance spaces and plenty of opportunities to have a chat with your favourite artists. No wonder the Australian Blues Music Festival in Goulburn, NSW is being talked about as "Australia's peak blues event" and "the top Australian blues venue".

The Festival enjoys a very high patron loyalty rate of dedicated blues music enthusiasts and like them, once you've discovered Goulburn you'll mark February in your diary to come back every year!

The Wangaratta Festival of Jazz

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The Wangaratta Festival of Jazz is an annual festival of jazz and blues held in the town of Wangaratta 2.5 hours from Melbourne in North East Victoria, Australia. It has become the premier jazz event in Australia and is renowned internationally.

Since inception in 1990, the festival has grown to include 90 events and over 350 national and international artists performing each year. The Wangaratta Festival of Jazz also hosts the National Jazz Awards, Youth Jazz Workshops, Masterclasses and events throughout Wangaratta and surrounding wine regions.

In 1999 the festival won a National Tourism Award and was inducted into the Victorian Tourism Hall of Fame. In 2000 the Wangaratta Festival of Jazz was elevated to a Victorian Hallmark Event.

2007 Moruya Jazz Festival

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2007 Moruya Jazz Festival What a wonderful festival. The weather was perfect. The whole town was buzzing with excitement all weekend as jazz fans mingled with locals in the streets and at five different venues throughout the town.

The street parade was voted the best ever. Led by Festival President Roger Bayley, Cr Fergus Thomson, and Rex Ambassador Max Kingston, it entertained and delighted adults and children alike. More bands than ever joined the parade including the Moruya Town Band. Familiar faces included the Eurobodalla Children’s Choir and Sing Australia.
Onlookers were treated to a great display of vintage, veteran and other, well loved cars, motor cycles and tractors as well as a local surf boat and a dragon boat which really stretched the imagination.

The Moruya Red hatters, elegantly seated on the back of a truck this year drew admiring looks from the crowd as they displayed their colourful red and purple regalia.
The annual Country Energy Picnic in the Park which drew huge crowds, featured music by a number of school bands who just seem to get better and better. The festival was once again opened by Cl Fergus Thomson who has always been an avid supporter. A highlight was the draw of the raffle for prepaid ticket purchasers, by Rex Ambassador Max Kingston who flew to Moruya especially for the event. Two return Moruya –Sydney tickets donated by Regional Express were won by Sandra Meyers.

Awesome, Incredible, Amazing was how the workshops for young musicians conducted by Al Davey and his band were described by participants and many requests were made to hold them again next year.

The fun continued throughout the weekend. A boon to tired feet was the jazz shuttle, provided by Marshalls Buses, which ferried patrons between the Golf Club and other venues, encouraging much more movement between venues. Hopefully this will become a feature of future festivals.
Not even a power failure which left the whole town without electricity could stop the traditional Sunday afternoon session in the Monarch Beer Garden and our musos showed what they were made of by pressing on regardless!
Jazz fans appreciated the forward advertising of next year’s festival (October 17 18 19) and many have already booked their accommodation.

Threadbo Blues Festival 2008 Performer Profiles

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JEFF LANG
Singer-songwriter Jeff Lang has built up a reputation for startlingly
original performances, working without a set list, allowing the
unique energy of each night to shape the songs. Jeff Lang is critically
acclaimed as a truly great guitar player. The unusual thing is that the
guitar playing never gets in the way of the music, nor overshadows
his gift for hauntingly poetic songwriting. As a live performer Lang is
only satisfied when something truly inspired takes place. This restless
striving for the sublime pays great dividends for audiences that join
him for the ride.
"Australia's best roots-music artisan." – Jeff Apter, Rolling Stone
BOB BROZMAN
Redefining musical diversity worldwide, Bob Brozman is a remarkably
prolific artist whose wit, energy, and musical technique combine
powerfully to create an unforgettable live performance. A master
of slide, fingerstyle, and percussive guitar, Bob's exhilarating show
spans the global and musical spectrum, and keeps audiences
enthralled, begging for more of his endearing, infectious energy.
Bob's familiarity with diverse world music cultures produces a novel
blending of rhythmic and timbral influences, unparalleled in today's
musical environment.
DALLAS FRASCA
Solo blues powerhouse, Dallas Frasca, didn’t start singing until she
was 19 years old. Ten years on, Frasca’s mighty soul-voice resonates
through venues, stereos, and radio stations across Australia. Frasca
has sung in an array of bands from metal to funk. Her passion and
the natural gutsy tone in her voice always lead her back to the blues.
Frasca’s distinctive, gutsy, heart-felt vocal style is of uncommon
strength and her finger pickin/slide guitar grooves are earning her
respect from fellow musicians and wowing crowds all over Australia.
ANDY COWAN
One of Australia’s most experienced and talented singer, songwriter
and pianists in the Soul-Blues idiom, Andy has been described
justifiably as the “King of the Keys”. He ripples, rolls and rocks
through original compositions with passionate and soulful vocals,
wrapping the audience in his energy and weaving an emotional
and spellbinding magic.
“A terrific little prize, swampy vocals on a foundation
of virtuosic piano playing.” Gary Tippett – The Age
JIMI HOCKING
Jimi Hocking is a songwriter, singer and guitarist of the highest
calibre. He struts the stage playing his ‘showy’ guitar style while
pulling all the classic stunts... behind the head... the duck walk...
even the splits! Always working on multiple recording projects,
including a new blues album, 2006 chimed in for Jimi with the
release of ‘The Ultimate Bootleg (vs2)’. Jimi’s 10th album is a
re-make of his first independent acoustic album, featuring all
new recordings of original songs and bonus tracks.
RAY BEADLE AND HIS BAND
Ray Beadle and his band are regulars on the Australian Blues Festival
Circuit and have played at premier venues such as The Basement
in Sydney. Ray incorporates his own style of jump/blues with many
popular swing tunes. Chris Cain has said, “Ray is unquestionably one
of the finest musicians I have come across. His song writing has a
harmonic and emotional depth that many strive for but few capture.
Ray’s guitar works well, lets just say this cat is VERY dangerous.”
WARD’S EXPRESS
The idea for the band WARD’S EXPRESS was first conceived during the
1995 East Coast Blues Festival, when a number of Byron Bay musicians
were drafted to form the backing band for the Bentley/Reed Blues
Review. After subsequent festival appearances as lead guitarist for
the Blues Review, Ross Ward formed Ward’s Express. The players:
Ross Ward, Guitar,vocals, Greg Lyon, Bass Guitar, Steve Russell,
Keyboards, Dave sanders, Drums.
THE OTHERS
In the world of Rock’n Roll, surviving 10 years is unusual, 20 years is
a massive feat, but to keep going for as long as The Others have is
staggering, to say the least! Ahead of their time, The Others were
strutting their original stuff while most of their contemporaries were
simply mimicking whatever style was in vogue at the time. For more
than 40 years the band have played all around the country, in cities
and towns, stadiums, pubs, clubs and dives with a consistent
enthusiasm and obvious passion for their craft. The Others have
always done things their way and this independence and self belief
still shines through.
HARRY BRUS BAND
Harry Brus, the phenomenal bass player who has shared the
stage with the likes of Jeff St John, Blackfeather, Kevin Borich,
Australian Crawl, Matt Taylor, Russel Morris, Leo Sayer, Renee
Geyer, Chain and the Foreday riders to name but a few returns
again to Thredbo this year with his own band.
JAN PRESTON
Jan Preston is recognized as one of Australia’s leading female
blues artists.
Jan’s unique ability lies not only in her exceptional talents as a piano
player, singer, and songwriter, but also as an entertainer with her
mastery of “boogie woogie piano” leaving audiences in raptures.
As winner of three Best Female Blues Artist awards and more
recently the 2003 Blues Performer of the Year she is needless
to say a fantastic blues artist who has to be seen to be believed.
KATE MEEHAN and SKIP LANDY
Every great blues mama needs a great piano player and when you
combine Kate Meehan’s sweet but gutsy vocals with Skip Landy’s
sensual liberation of the piano it is nothing short of a delicious
blend of lounge room blues. Kate’s pure vocals emerged from a
Jazz heritage but once she was enticed by American Blues mama’s
Koko Taylor and more recently Kathy Murray she was transformed.
Skip’s piano flair is nothing but all boogie woogie, rhythm and blues.
Both award winning musicians playing rich velvet blues in Thredbo!
PETE CORNELIUS
Pete has been writing songs and playing guitar since he was six.
At 11 he performed with the Tasmanian Festival Wind Symphony
and at 13 he released his first CD. Pete has won the best Blues/Jazz
guitarist award at the Frankston International Guitar Festival as well
as the Blues Guitar Award at the Australian Blues Festival. His song
‘All my Heroes are dead’ won the blues song of the year at the
Victorian/Tasmanian Blues awards in 2001.
KERRI SIMPSON
Kerri Simpson is one of Australia's most respected and versatile
singers. Her unique, powerful voice has traversed a huge expanse of
musical styles across a large portion of the globe, enriched through
the years by the music and musicians she has encountered. Kerri will
certainly impress Thredbo with her tremendous abilities as a singer
and leave the audience encoring for more.
DAVID CHURCHILL
David Churchill is one of Australia's leading steel string flat top
guitar makers, established over 30 years. All guitars are hand built
by David Churchill, using only aged timbers and specializing in cedar
tops with Indian rosewood back and sides. Used and played by some
of Australia's finest musicians such as Jeff Lang, Darren Jack, David
Ross Macdonald (Waifs), Hat Fitz, Adam Hole, Matt Fagan, Ray
Beadle, Don Neander, Shannon Bourne.
MARJI CURRAN BAND
The Marji Curran Trio are one of Australia’s most exciting roots and
blues acts. Marji’s exceptional song writing and clean acoustic guitar
playing combined with the musical talents of slide guitarist Adam Hole
and percussionist/drummer Phoebe Juskevics leave audiences wanting
more. Marji’s vocals are haunting, passionate and unique, Adam
literally makes the slide guitars sing with feel, and Phoebe excites
the senses with a delightfully experimental approach to percussion.
JAMES SOUTHWELL BAND
James Southwell has been playing guitar & singing since he was only
7 years old. He has played on stage with Australia's greatest blues
band Chain, The Kevin Borich Express, Phil Manning, Stevie Wright
and a host of other well known Australian artists. He currently has
a high-energy electric trio the James Southwell Band, which is
sometimes billed as 'James Southwell's JUDGEMENT'. He is committed
to his chosen career and he is now a full time professional touring
guitarist/singer/songwriter. James writes his own material as well as
playing some very well thought out covers.
MOJO WEBB BAND
Utterly fresh and unique but steeped in the tradition of real,
authentic blues, Mojo's music is truly world-class. With charisma
and a naturally captivating stage presence, thirty-two-year-old Mojo
breathes new life into roots-based sounds. Equally at home with a
band or in solo performance; in the most specialized fields of true
blues or on a pop festival stage, Mojo transcends all age and fashion
barriers. "The Burden" is Mojo's highly-anticipated debut release.
PHIL MANNING SOLO
One of Australia's best known guitarists, Phil has single handedly
turned more Australians onto the Blues than any other performer.
The grandson of a dedicated Tasmanian bandleader, Phil grew up
with music in his genes.From his earliest days backing pop artists
and throughout his long career, his musical integrity has always set
him apart. His skillful touch and great passion for the blues have
kept him musically progressive, always prepared to interest himself
in new musical ideas whilst maintaining his stylistic purpose.
STEVE EDMONDS BAND
Playing guitar professionally for two decades, Steve has gained a
reputation as one of Sydney's most exciting and fresh "axe" men.
Coming from a deep musical background, his professional playing
stints with many of the country's top live and recording artists has
secured his position as one of the more talented and reliable session
players, sidemen and performing artists to date. The Steve Edmonds
band is back and working in TRIO form and packing in more great
guitar and funky groove into the set than ever before!

Performer Profiles Blues festival 2008 Threadbo

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Performer Profiles
Jeff Lang Singer-songwriter Jeff Lang has built up a reputation for startlingly original performances, working without a set list, allowing the unique energy of each night to shape the songs. While Lang will talk of his admiration for the elemental blues of Skip James, the raw gospel of Blind Willie Johnson, the devastating guitar work of Jimi Hendrix, the masterful slide guitar of Ry Cooder, and the sublime songwriting of Bob Dylan and Richard Thompson, comparisons to these artists fails to paint an adequate picture. Jeff Lang is critically acclaimed as a truly great guitar player. The unusual thing is that the guitar playing never gets in the way of the music, nor overshadows his gift for hauntingly poetic songwriting. As a live performer Lang is only satisfied when something truly inspired takes place. This restless striving for the sublime pays great dividends for audiences that join him for the ride. Dallas Frasca and her gentlemenListening to the ball wrenching vocal performance of Dallas' debut solo recording, Acoustic Slide Groove, can give you a good indication of why she is where she is today. Dallas comes from a background of singing with roots bands. She began singing at the Saphire Coast town of Pambula, N.S.W, with some friends jamming. Re-locating back to her stomping ground, (North East Victoria), she worked rotating 12 hour shifts as a Lab. Technician for nearly 6 years on and off in her home town of Wangaratta. In almost solitary confinement for 12 hours a day, she learnt to sing by listening to vocalists on the small transitor radio in the lab. Frasca's distinctive, gutsy, heart-felt vocal style is of uncommon strength and her finger pickin / slide guitar grooves are earning her respect from fellow musicians and been wowing crowds all over Australia in the past few months. In just six months she has achieved more than most musicians could hope for in a lifetime. Bob Brozman TodayRedefining musical diversity worldwide, Bob Brozman is a remarkably prolific artist whose wit, energy, and musical technique combine powerfully to create an unforgettable live performance. A master of slide, fingerstyle, and percussive guitar, Bob's exhilarating show spans the global and musical spectrum, and keeps audiences enthralled, begging for more of his endearing, infectious energy. Bob's familiarity with diverse world music cultures produces a novel blending of rhythmic and timbral influences, unparalleled in today's musical environment. His rhythmic dexterity resonates with elements of blues, jazz, Gypsy swing, calypso, sega, and even the most modern hip-hop and ska beats. Jan PrestonJan can best be described as Australia's "Queen of the boogie woogie piano." Her stunning ability as a boogie, honky tonk and ragtime piano player, is matched by a richly resonant voice and a joyful and communicative stage personality. Jan is enormously popular on the festival circuit, having played more than 40 festivals throughout Australia, New Zealand, and Europe in the past 3 years. She has won 4 Best Female Blues Artist and Blues Artist of the Year Awards, is a regular ABC and RNZ radio performer, and has sold out concerts from the tip of Australia to the very South of New Zealand in main centres and tiny regional towns.Jan has a way of fully engaging the audience in her shows, and her mastery of the boogie woogie, barrelhouse and honky tonk piano style, leaves listeners in raptures. Andy CowanWhen the house is rockin' with the big horn section and Cowan's soulful vocals and keyboards are right out front, this is killer stuff. (Jeff Glorfeld - The Age Entertainment Guide) His songs and style reach back into the very heart of Blues and Soul. Cowan shows himself to be a great songwriter and musician. (Ed Nimmervoll - Music Australia Guide Magazine) One of Australia's most experienced and talented singer/songwriter/pianists in the Soul-Blues idiom, Andy has been described justifiably as the "King of the Keys". He ripples, rolls and rocks through original compostitions with passionate and soulful vocals, wrapping the audience in his energy and weaving an emotional and spellbinding magic. Andy has evolved into a refined and sophisticated songwriter/performer, arriving at his music after a long and winding journey - the resulting confidence, maturity and taste are well earned and deeply embedded. Andy's musical career began in Melbourne, Australia, growing up in a household surrounded by music. Following classical piano studies, he began exploring improvisation, and absorbing musical ideas from soul, blues, and folk artists developing his very own signature style that has matured over time. In his late teens Andy played and recorded with many well-known Australian and overseas musicians, as well as piano and keyboard arrangements on many film scores - including the cult movie Stone. James SouthwellJames was asked up to play with Kevin Borich, Phil Manning and Aussie Legend rhythm section Mark Kennedy & Harry Brus when he was 13. A year later he was asked up on stage to play with Chain and Phil Manning handed the lead over for James to play the solo on Black & Blue. His first album, “DARK ANGEL”, was recorded at Kevin Borich's studio in December 2005. Mark Kennedy, Harry Brus & Kevin played on Dark Angel. Phil Emmanuel & Mal Eastick featured on the cover of Stevie Wright’s “Guitar Band”. Since the release of Dark Angel by MGM in June 2006, the James Southwell Band has been in constant demand playing almost 200 shows all over Australia including Major Festivals, Blues Clubs, Dedicated Music Venues as well as Pubs & Clubs from the top of WA all the way down to the bottom of TAS. During 2006 James also played three shows with Angry Anderson as lead guitarist and two for Stevie Wright. In 2007 JSB has a 70 show “Rock ‘n the Blues” National Tour with 21 of these show in WA alone, playing headline shows for both the Perth Blues Club & West Coast Blues Club. 2008 is looking great for JSB with an All Star line up Headlining the Entertainment at Summernats 21 in Jan. Then it's off to this festival at Thredbo

Thredbo Blues Festival

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January 2008

Welcome to the 14th Thredbo Blues Festival, 11-13 January 2008, a 3-day celebration of blues & roots music that is held in bars and restaurants throughout spectacular Thredbo Village in the Snowy Mountains. The Blues Festival is organised by community organisation Tourism Thredbo which is part of the Thredbo Chamber of Commerce. It is known by blues lovers as the 'boutique festival’ because the bands play in a variety of small venues and restaurants, all within walking distance, allowing guests an up-close and personal musical experience. Some 20 bands play throughout this unique alpine environment, each playing three to four times over the weekend from the Friday afternoon through to the late Sunday night jam session in the Keller Bar. The mix of bands and musicians at the festival is quite eclectic showcasing a combination of old and new music. Some favourites return each year and other newer bands are given a go. The weekend festival pass costs $120 per person and comes with a pass to ride the Kosciusko Scenic Chairlift to the top of the mountain. Tickets can be purchased over the phone using a credit card and will be sent out prior to the event or can be collected from the festival office from Friday noon. A detailed program is printed for guests so that they can plan their music weekend. The program is also listed on this website closer to the event

Port Fairy Spring Music Festival

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Program 2008
The next Port Fairy Spring Music Festival will be held from 10 – 12 October 2008.
The full 2008 program will be released in early August 2008. Visit this website after that date for all the details, including concerts and events, repertoire, artists, venues, times and booking arrangements.

In the meantime, please visit other pages of the website for general information about the Festival and the charming ‘festival’ town of Port Fairy.

Some preliminary information on artists and events in the 2008 Festival will be available from time to time in the “News Items” section of this website.

The 2005, 2006 and 2007 programs are available in the ‘Program Archive’ on this website. They show the interesting and innovative programming audiences have come to expect from the Port Fairy Spring Music Festival .http://www.portfairyspringmusicfestival.com/program.asp

CoastFest 2008

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CoastFest 2008 5 - 7 SeptemberPoint Wolstoncroft Sport and Recreation CampKanagra Drive Gwandalan - Lake MaquarieCentral Coast NSW5.00pm Friday to 5pm SundayBlues, Roots, World, Folk and Alternative Beats +Indigenous Space Drum & Fire Circle, Multicultural Dance, Healing and Environment Village.The Festival will feature 3 days of celebration on the shores of beautiful Lake Maquarie, surrounded by water and bush-land with a range of cabin and lodge accommodation on offer, as well as waterfront, and bush camping.

As well as multiple performance stages, the festival will also include, dance, drumming, an Indigenous space, theatre, visual arts and crafts, children's activities, a healing and environmental area, a Tavern as well as lots of fantastic Market stalls, art installations and a themed spectacular on Saturday night.

More Info: 0434 948 197 website: www.coastfest.org.au

Alternative Nation Festival

2008-04-03T04:04:00.001-07:00

Alternative Nation Festival
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Alternative Nation was a series of music festivals held in Australia in 1995. It was organised by a consortium of concert promoters, Michael Coppell, Michael Chugg and Michael Gudinski and backed by the Triple M radio network as an alternative to the Big Day Out. The event was held in three cities over the Easter long weekend: Brisbane on April 13 and 14, Sydney on April 15 and Melbourne on April 16.

The festival had an excellent line up but suffered when both headlining acts, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Stone Temple Pilots, withdrew from the event. Lou Reed was added to the bill in their place but without the show's main drawcards, ticket sales were slow. Unlike the Big Day Out, which featured various local acts at each city, Alternative Nation's line-up was the same at all three events, except in Brisbane where four more Australian bands, Budd, Catfish, Dreamkillers and Chalk were included. Somewhat cynically, however, all of the Australian bands that performed in Melbourne and Sydney, except Def FX, were relegated to smaller stages away from the main performance area.

The Sydney show was marked by constant rain throughout the day that transformed the venue, Eastern Creek Raceway, into a mudbowl and several bands were pelted with mud by the audience. Live's Ed Kowalczyk retaliated to this behaviour by throwing a guitar into the crowd at the end of his band's set. Along with the bad weather at all three shows, Alternative Nation's success was tempered by poor ticket sales and restrictions on alcohol sales and it was never held again.