Festivals Update: December 8

Image: D.D Dumbo

YOUNG THUG, D.D DUMBO FOR LANEWAY

Next month’s Laneway announced the Australian debut of Atlanta rapper Young Thug and Castlemaine, Victoria based D.D Dumbo (much in demand after his debut Utopia Defeated won the Oz Album category of the J Awards) to some dates on the bill (see website for full details).

Laneway Festival co-founder Danny Rogers says: “We’re not in the habit of announcing artists late in the piece, but Young Thug and D.D Dumbo are two artists that have been at the very top of our list the past couple of years. We found out they were available and just couldn’t resist.”

UNIFY ANNOUNCES TWO ADDITIONAL FEATURES

UNIFY: A Heavy Music Gathering (Friday January 13 to Sunday January 15) has announced two features. One is the Maton Sunday Sessions acoustic lineup featuring Little Brother (John Floreani of Trophy Eyes), Marcus Bridge of Northlane, William Jarratt of Storm The Sky.

Returning is the artist signing talent where punters can meet and greet acts on the bill. Each session is capped at 50 fans.

UNIFY reports that its first year saw the 3000 tickets sold out in three hours. This year, the capacity was increased to 5000, sold out before the event kicked off. This year all 2000 early bird tix disappeared in under 24 hours even before the bill including Alexisonfire, Violent Soho and Northlane was announced.

GOOD LIFE TAKES 2017 OFF

After seven years, the under-18 Good Life is taking 2017 off. Organisers cited the reason as not being able to get the bands they wanted due to scheduling commitments and are “unwilling to compromise on line-up quality for fans.”

Past acts included A$AP Rocky, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Jeremih, Martin Garrix, Rudimental, Skrillex and Hardwell.

However the festival’s Warehouse Tour in March 2017 will return to Brisbane and Sydney, with a number of major Australian DJs and one from the US.

40 ARRESTS AT SUBSONIC

NSW Police reported 40 drug arrests at Subsonic on the NSW mid-coast after an operation. Half were nabbed on the first day with drugs including amphetamines, LSD, Ketamine, cannabis and ecstasy. Three were charged with supplying.

Superintendent Chris Craner, Commander of Port Stephens Local Area Command, said police were “shocked” by the numbers, adding, “The illegal activities at these events will put the future of any such event in this area in serious jeopardy.”

FESTIVAL GETS FUNDING

Emergence Creative in WA’s Margaret River region in March received $18,850 funding from Regional Arts Australia. The conference/ showcase event is set up by Creative Corner Inc and aimed at helping emerging talent in music, as well as art, design, animation, photography and film.

It links the state’s South West creative industries and provides a platform for creative minds to come together to network, develop skills and share ideas. It was one of 89 arts and cultural projects across rural, regional and remote Australia sharing in funds totalling over $1.3 million.

FOMO: FOOD OFFERINGS, FREE NSW RAIL TRAVEL

The three-state FOMO announced the huge array of food and beverages available at each its shows. See their website for full run-down. In addition, the Sunday Jan 8 show at Parramatta Park, Sydney also has free rail travel included in the ticket price.

The other two shows are at Adelaide Gaol (Friday Jan 6) and Brisbane Riverstage (Saturday Jan 7). Desiigner has just been added to the bill, which includes headliners Flosstradamus, Empire Of The Sun, Peking Duk and JME.

DARWIN FESTIVAL CALLS FOR PRODUCER, NT ACTS

Darwin Festival (August 10—27) is advertising for an experienced Producer to deliver the 2017 festival. The job begins in February, and involves working with Head of Programming and Program Manager to deliver key events within the Festival program. Deadline is Jan 3, position description at darwinfestival.org.au.

The festival is also accepting proposals from artists and organisations covering music, as well as theatre, dance, puppetry, visual arts, interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary works in progress or performance-ready projects involving collaborations with other artists (both local and outside of the NT). Deadline is Monday December 12.

AUSTRALIAN MADE TOPS DVD CHART

The digitally restored 30th anniversary of the film about the ground-breaking Australian Made festival, debuted at #1 on the ARIA Music DVD Chart this week.

It featured INXS, Jimmy Barnes, Divinyls, Models, The Saints, The Triffids and I’m Talking playing to almost 140,000 fans in six cities.

FIRST LINEUP FOR BOOGIE

Among the first round of acts for the eleventh instalment of Victoria’s Boogie (April 14—16, Bruzzy’s Farm, Tallarook) are Cosmic Psychos, Strand Of Oaks, Tyrannamen, Sonny & The Sunsets, Endless Boogie, Jen Cloher, Jonny Fritz, Lost Animal, The Sugarcanes and Tony Joe White.

BROADBEACH COUNTRY AIMS FOR BIG NAMES

After drawing 30,000 this year, Broadbeach Alliance is going for a similar feat next year (July 28—30) announcing America, Kasey Chambers and Troy Cassar-Daley as headliners. Also among artists playing for free in streets and venues in the region are Shane Nicholson, Fanny Lumsden and Travis Collins, with more acts to be announced in the new year.