Festivals Update: January 19

LINEUP CHANGE FOR LANEWAY

With Laneway kicking off in Singapore this weekend, there was a quick change in the Australian and New Zealand bill. Atlanta rapper Young Thug pulled out due to “visa complications.” He is replaced by Brisbane band Dune Rats who exclaimed, “Years ago these legends were the first touring festival to take a punt on us and we had the time of our lives.”

INAUGURAL TOUCH BASS FOR EASTER

Australia gets a trap-and bass-heavy festival over the Easter break. It kicks off on April 14 at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre, then moves to the Belvoir Amphitheatre in Perth (15), Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley (16) and Sydney Hordern Pavilion (18).

Main attractions announced so far are LA’s JAUZ, Montreal’s Snails, New Jersey’s Slushi and Sydney’s LDRU.

NEW FESTIVAL FOR GOLD COAST?

The Gold Coast may get a new two-day festival on the beach, catering for 40,000 punters. The local council is considering an application from a major Aussie promoter with “extensive experience in staging world-class music and entertainment events”, thought to be TEG Dainty.

The concept is based on an overseas festival model, which also draws a crowd of 40,000 per day. It will mainly be held on the Coolangatta-Greenmount beach, with two stages, and a smaller one in nearby Queen Elizabeth Park. Usually,the festival will be held in February but the first one will be held on November 11-12 on account of the Commonwealth Games.

MOO CHANGES SA SITE

This year’s Groovin’ The Moo has switched its South Australian site from Oakbank to Wayville Showgrounds. It has more transport options, according to promoter Cattleyard Productions, which would draw more people. The kick-off date is moved from Monday to Friday so Moo can secure international acts who are billed to play Coachella in the US.

CYGNET FOLK SETS NEW ATTENDANCE RECORD

After its strongest online ticket sales, Cygnet Folk in Tasmania ended with a 10% rise in ticket sales, setting a new attendance record in its 35th year. Total sales were 2457 tickets including box office and at least another 700 comps for musicians, volunteers and sponsors. For an event that is 98% self-funded and a non-profit registered charity giving back to the community, it was gratifying that ticket price hikes across all categories were no deterrent.

Additionally, the festival attracted close to 6,000 people to the town (population: 1500) over the weekend, many attending the festival’s free events and the arts market and food stalls. Altogether, 115 acts and 440 performers from around the world played in 12 venues. Just on numbers, it was estimated that Festival Manager Cherie Stewart walked 53 kilometers around the site over the three days.

…BUT HUGE CROWDS CAUSE FUTURE ISSUES FOR WOODFORD FOLK

The growth of the Woodford Folk Festival in SE Queensland has led its organisers to ponder its future. The December 27—January 1 event drew a record aggregate number 132,000 over six days. Minister for Education, Tourism and Major Events, Kate Jones, expected it to exceed its $30 million injection into the Queensland economy and $16 million to the local area.

One of Woodford Folk’s attractions was the introduction of new acts: 60% of the 2000-strong bill had not played Woodford Folk before. On-site CD sales were up 5% as crowds were introduced to new music.

But Festival Director, Bill Hauritz, says that its growth has put a huge strain on the infrastructure. “Raw water storage, and dusty and broken roads took the edge off what was a truly wonderful event.” Moreton Bay Regional Council Mayor Allan Sutherland agreed with Hauritz’s comments, and urged all levels of Government to provide funding support and certainty “to turn Woodfordia into a destination worthy of ongoing national and international acclaim.”

BRISBANE BAROQUE COMPANY IN LIQUIDATION

Brisbane Baroque Pty Ltd, the company behind the Brisbane Baroque Festival, has gone into liquidation, with Mayfields Business Advisors serving as liquidator. In a statement, the festival directors blamed the Federal Government for not coming to their rescue with funds to pay off 40 creditors and the Brisbane Council for its high rents for City Hall. Tourism and Events Queensland, which partially funded the event, said it withdrew from the arrangement because organisers had not fulfilled their obligations.

FALLS FREMANTLE RETURNING?

No official announcement has been made. But all indications are that Falls Festival will continue its presence in WA this year after the inaugural event in Fremantle drew 15,000 to Kings Square – with no recorded incidents.

RAVER GETS SMOKING FAREWELL

26- year old Jake Monahan, who died at a Queensland rave after taking unknown pills, was farewelled with a smoke cleansing ceremony in Nimbin attended by 100 people to support his hometown’s grief. His death also sparked calls for pill testing to be introduced at festivals.

CHANGES FOR COOLY ROCKS ON

Connecting Southern Gold Coast, which has taken over the running of the retro Cooly Rocks On is initiating changes to the event this year (June 7-11). The festival generates over $23 million for the Gold Coast municipality and $6 million for the Tweed. But it has been pulled back from ten days to the five days in light of trends in crowd attendance. A lead in event will be introduced on June 4 at Queen Elizabeth Park to market the festival, while new features include family fireworks, drive in movies and a new website.

RAINBOW SERPENT PROVIDES SAFE SITE…

In a self-proclaimed first for an Australian festival, Rainbow Serpent (January 27 – 30 in Lexton, Victoria) has set up The Nest, a space to provide comprehensive on-site support services to people affected by sexual and gender-based violence. The Nest was created in consultation with government funded advocacy groups and emergency service providers and will offer information and support for patrons who have experienced assault.

Social Services Manager for the festival, Mel Pearson, emphasised the importance of LGBTI and other marginalised festival-goers being able to find help in a safe environment if they are being victimised on-site. “We need to acknowledge that family and sexual violence is a problem in wider society and it’s therefore natural a festival with 18,000 attendees isn’t immune from those issues.”

…WHILE PSYCH HAS SAFER SPACES POLICY

Sydney Psych (Feb 26, Factory Theatre) has officially introduced Safer Spaces as its policy. It urges its diverse audience, “If you feel that a patron or member of staff, including security, are treating someone in a way that we would not want to be treated, please ask to speak to event management immediately.”

In its third year, acts include China’s Carsick Cars and White+ (a return by the first, a debut by the other), Flyying Colours back from Asian and European dates, Mere Women, a return by Belles Will Ring after a break, Buried Feather who’re previewing a new album and The Black Heart Death Cult.

LATEST FOR WOMADELAIDE

The third and final artist announcement for WOMADelaide (March 10—13) includes 12-piece radical tango ensemble Orquesta Típica Fernández Fierro from Argentina; the nine piece Bokanté, the new side project of Grammy-winning improvisational jazz group Snarky Puppy; and yoga teacher, advocate for ending violence against women and Emmy -winning Toni Childs.

Others are Honduras singer Aurelio, the Flamenco-meets-electronica of Spain’s Fuel Fandango, Bamba Wassoulou Groove from Mali, Icelandic minimalist techno duo Kiasmos, US house and disco DJ Rahaan; and Israel’s The Piyut Ensemble who are making their international debut.

The Australian contingent includes Montaigne, Darwin singer-songwriter Caiti Baker and Adelaide-based artists Jesse Davidson, MANE, Aaron Thomas and Kelly Menhennett. Indigenous theatre pioneer Uncle Jack Charles does an Artist In Conversation session with Archie Roach titled Healing & Empowerment Through the Arts.