Possibly the single best music festival in the country (just ask anyone who’s been, and some who haven’t), Meredith is back for its 27th run, and apparently that’s a pretty special number (and “a perfect cube”, the festival assures us), because this year’s lineup is just bloody perfect.
As always, it’s an undulating stroll through all sorts of genres, but there’s a pleasing balance this year between electro, hip hop, soul and punk that just makes it feel so wonderfully cohesive, and there’s not a dull spot to be found.
Todd Terje & the Olsens sit at the top of the bill (I suppose), having last played Australia a few years back at Beyond The Valley, and we can think of no better name to lead the ‘Sup this year – as long as he promises not to leave Inspector Norse out of his set this time.
Noname, out of Chicago, is one of the most impressive names in soul and hip hop right now (off the back of a single album no less), and if you haven’t already started an artist radio on Spotify with her, do – it’ll throw up some great stuff.
Todd Terje’s debut live set is still one for the ages
There’s so much more to be excited about, though. Melbourne’s post-punk champs Total Control, Cali indie rockers Warpaint, Harvey Sutherland and his brilliant funk concoction Bermuda, DJ icon JNETT, Skuzzy and brilliant pub punks Amyl & the Sniffers… it’s all coming up Meredith.
We’v also got Hunters & Collectors legend Mark Seymour and his band The Undertow sitting on a bill next to the infamously-fronted Future Islands, and Brookly quartet Big Thief fresh off the release of their excellent second album.
The previously-announced Aldous Harding is playing of course, and I’ll be keen to check out South Bronx punk/hip hop progenitors ESG, as well as Little Big League’s Michelle Zauner in her Japanese Breakfast guise.
Noname’s set is going to be an absolute highlight
Groove-starters !!! aka Chk Chk Chk will be the perfect vibe for the ‘Sup, balanced nicely against a buffet of punk in the uncompromising Downtown Boys, Sub Pop outfit Pissed Jeans, and Melbourne’s rarely-sighted RVG.
Rounding things out are soul trio The Teskey Brothers, Melbourne/African jazz stylings from the Senegambian Jazz Band, the hip-hop bangers and personal dance crew of Various Asses, Tokyo psych outfit Kikagaku Moyo, cosmic producer Rings Around Saturn, and of course the world-famous Meredith icons Silence Wedge.
The ballot is open now, and will stay open until 10:27pm on Tuesday August 15, so it’s time to throw your hat in the ring on the website and pray to whatever it is you worship the most.
