Festivals Update
SPLENDOUR SELLS OUT IN UNDER AN HOUR, SPRUIKS MOBILE APP
Splendour in the Grass sold the whole festival out this morning after it went on sale at 9am; one report suggested all tickets were gone by 9.33am. (“We weren’t watching the clock,” said a PR rep modestly, “but it was definitely under an hour.”) Those who missed out should keep an eye on the festival’s official resale facility in the coming months.
The Splendour mobile app returns in 2017 to augment the festival experience for its patrons. Once downloaded on iPhone iOS and Android they can do everything from purchasing their ticket to planning so that the sets don’t clash (playing times and maps coming soon) to getting latest news and get social media connected.
It was also used for the Photobooth / #splendourbandits competition. Patrons got their friends together to be their dream band and use the photobooth section of the app to snap the ultimate band photo. Winner was announced last evening, and won four 3 day event and camping tickets.
LEAPS AND BOUNDS OPENING NIGHT
Melbourne’s Leaps And Bounds stages an Opening Night on Thursday July 13 at the Corner Hotel. Performing are Augie March, Jess Ribeiro and The Pink Tiles. A “special guest” will be on hand to perform Paul Kelly’s Leaps And Bounds.
Presented by Yarra City Council for the fifth year, Leaps and Bounds will follow with 100 events over 10 days (July 13—23), with 24 participating venues and record stores.
GRINSPOON HEADLINING SHAKAFEST
Grinspoon are headlining the second edition of Gold Coast music, skate and graff art Shakafest, along with DZ Deathrays and recently reunited hip hop actButterfingers. Staged Saturday August 19 at Miami Tavern, the festival also featuresTired Lion, Ivan Ooze, Goons Of Doom, WAAX and local acts Trapdoor and Radolescent.
By mixing all the Coast’s favourite pastimes, promoter Tamie Bennett says, “We are creating an experience that will appeal to a diverse community on the coast and we are happy to be the leader in in such a gathering.”
TAMWORTH PONDERS INTERNATIONAL ACTS
The Tamworth Country Music Festival has been determined to remain an 100% Australian bill. But, given the growth of CMC Rocks Queensland to this year drawing 15,000 for each of its three days with a range of internationals as Dixie Chicks and Little Big Town, and this year’s Blues On Broadbeach (July 28—30) headlined by America, there’s some discussion as to whether Tamworth should follow suit.
The festival’s dilemma is that the bulk of the crowd tends to split before final night on Sunday. The Northern Daily Leader quotes Lee Kernaghan as in favour of the idea, especially if it draws more people and keeps them there longer, and Tamworth Business Chamber President Jye Segboer opining that a major act (international or not) should headline a Sunday night concert.
CAR FREE WOODFORD?
Woodford Folk has won awards for its environmental achievements through the years. It has always recommended that patrons car-pool when coming to the Woodfordia site. Now it’s looking at taking that extra step: no more cars.
During its current Planting festival, this is an issue to be discussed as a possibility, and what incentives and assistance be extended to those leaving the gas-guzzler in the garage. Place to voice your opinion is at the Sun Repair Café on Sunday April 30 at 2 pm. Go to https://theplantingfestival.com/tickets/.
YEMAYA FIGHTING ON
The Yemaya Festival in Northern Victoria (April 21—24) had its planning permit rejected by Loddon Shire. Reasons given included safety concerns, drug use, camping and parking issues, trespassing and rubbish removal.
There were seven objections to it being staged, including Victoria Police and five neighbouring land owners.
Festival organisers said they would continue discussions with the Shire. As of last night, its website and Facebook indicated the event had not been cancelled. A change of date is a possibility. Watch this space.
TASH SULTANA HEADLINING NZ FESTIVAL
Nine months before it takes place at Cardrona Valley in Wanaka, New Zealand (December 29—31) before 10,000 revellers, the seventh Rhythm & Alps announced Australian singer-songwriter Tash Sultana as its first headliner.
Festival director Alex Turnbull said, “She’s huge not only in New Zealand and Australia, but around the world. She’s selling out shows everywhere from Paris to New York. She’s a really unique, high-quality artist and utterly captivating to watch live.”
Other headliners and acts will be announced over the next nine months.
BERRY JAZZ UNVEILS ACTS
SIMA (Sydney Improvised Music Association) announced that the third Berry Jazz on the NSW South Coast features the Steve Hunter Quartet and Raymond Scott (composer of over 120 classic Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck and other Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies animated shorts).
It’s held on Mother’s Day at the Coolangatta Estate Winery. with rising French singing star Tricia Evy and Dan Barnett presenting Billie, Ella and Louis, from the songbook of Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong.
MAJOR NAMES IN SUBSONIC’S FIRST ANNOUNCE
Subsonic Music, back for its 9th year in Monkerai, NSW (December 1—3) had a number of major international names in its first announce.
They included Andrew Weatherall (solo and with A Love From Outer Space.) and Mr G from the UK, Fred P and Daniel Bell (US), Madmotormiquel, Dirty Doering and tINI (Germany), Alexkid, (France), Catz ‘n Dogz (Poland), Barac (Romania), Francesco Del Garda (Italy), Julia Govor (Russia) and Opiuo (New Zealand).
The first announce also included Melbourne’s Dub FX. The festival was founded by Sydney DJs Scott Commens (MSG) and Marco Mazzucco (Marcotix).
FLUID FESTIVAL RUNS DRY
After a promising start in 2015 by providing “something different”, this month’s music, drinks and food festival Fluid in Karratha, in WA’s Pilbara region, has been axed. Onyx Café’s Events Director Sean Throssell attributed it to insufficient sponsorship and funding. He was hoping it would return in 2018.
The region’s uneconomic uncertainty and demographic change has seen other festivals also take a dive, Pilbara News reported.
These included Beats in the Heat and the Red Dog Relay, while Wrapped Creations scrapped Gossip for a more downsized event. The paper added that Port Hedland’s North West Festival, the largest music event in the Pilbara, also had a cloudy future. It’s got council funding but seeking sponsors.
NT GOVT INVESTS $2M INTO PARRTJIMA
After drawing 16,000 people last year, the Northern Territory Government has invested $2 million into the Parrtjima Festival In Light in Alice Springs (September 22 – October 1).
It uses state of the art technology for breath taking light displays of indigenous culture “on a 300-million-year-old natural canvas” over 2.5 kilometres of the MacDonnell Ranges. Andrew Hopper, GM of Northern Territory Major Events, said that it is working closely with tourism authorities to increase intestate visits from last year’s 3244.
Research from 2016 found that 72% of attendees stayed for between one to two hours, and 56% had a better than expected experience although sound quality at some events was an issue.
FALLS PUNTER PLEADS NOT GUILTY TO ASSAULT
A Tasmanian man pleaded not guilty in Launceston Magistrates Court to indecent assault in the moshpit at Falls Festival in Marion Bay. The lawyer for Lachlan Callum Dennis, 18, from West Launceston, said eight witnesses would be called when the trial begins on June 22. The prosecutor has four witnesses to call.
PORT CITY FOLK BACK FOR SECOND YEAR
Walking Horse and Sweet Mate Music bring back Port City Folk for a second year, on Easter Saturday, April 15 across two stages at the Railway Hotel in Fremantle.
It has return sets from UK-based Emily Barker, Galloping Foxleys and The Justin Walshe Folk Machine as well as Felicity Groom, Peter Bibby’s Dog Act, Conscious Dreamers, Belle Harvey, Elk Bell, The Polite Society, Terrible Signal (feat. Vin & Ali from Dream Rimmy and Ethan from Tired Lion) and Squashwater.