With Splendour In The Grass just a matter of days away, acting as the mid-year point for festival-goers, there’s already been a growing number of music festival announcements in recent weeks to mark that the end of the long winter is at last looming on the horizon.
In the last week we’ve been introduced to a new Americana festival inspired by Neil Young, shown luxurious glamping options for Philip Island’s new NYE event, and even Aunty Meredith’s first draft pick for this year’s Meredith 2014 lineup.
Between all these new festival announcements arrives another trio of Aussie festivals that have announced their lineups and return for 2014; stretching all the way from an island off the West Australian coast to Brisbane’s premier entertainment precinct and down to Victoria’s coast.
So without further ado, let’s take a closer look at each in detail to determine just why they’re worth your patronage among the long list of fellow Aussie music events.
Queenscliff Music Festival 2014
Where? Queenscliff, VIC
When? 28th – 30th November, 2014
Why? If you’re a virgin to this annual coastal get-together, then today organisers have provided another 10 brilliant new reasons to make the pilgrimage as more names join the already impressive Queenscliff Music Festival 2014 lineup. Namely, The hard rocking Dan Sultan, the newly returned Husky, Jimmy Page’s fave Aussies, The Delta Riggs, uber-talented/uber-young Tkay Maidza, Steve Smyth, Shaolin Afronauts, Steve Smyth, Marlon Williams, and the songwriting trifecta of Dyson, Stringer, & Cloher.
That’s on top of the previously announced all-star Aussies like The Jezabels, The Chruch, D.D Dumbo, and Hiatus Kaiyote – all major drawcards to head to the three-day festival, hosted on the last weekend of November. There’s also some shake-ups planned for edition #18, with newly appointed Festival Director Andrew Orvis confirming the addition of international artists to “add a dash of international flavour to the Queenscliff experience;” bolstering the typically all-Aussie lineups.
Along with the characteristically awesome bills, QMF is also characterised by its family-friendly atmosphere, perfectly complementing attractions, themed areas, food, and music for the kiddies while providing clearly demarcated drinking areas and well scheduled sets for the adults. Being in the pre-summer usually helps weather-wise too, whether you’re soaking up the rays or escaping them inside the cavernous lighthouse stage.
Subscriber and early tickets have all been scooped up in record numbers – months in advance, but there’s still a variety of single and multi-day passes still available. Trust us, if you’ve yet to attend Queenscliff Music Festival, make this year your first.
Who’s Playing? The Jezabels, The Church, Dan Sultan, Hiatus Kaiyote, Stonefield, The Waifs, Husky, D.D Dumbo, The Delta Riggs, Tkay Maidza, and more
Tickets: Multi-day passes from $165 (+b/f) more info at http://www.qmf.net.au/
Valley Fiesta 2014
Where? Fortitude Valley, Brisbane QLD
When? Saturday 23rd & Sunday 24th August, 2014
Why? Billed as ‘Brisbane’s Biggest Street Party’, Valley Fiesta is returning this year with fresh dates and a new two day program involving over 50 local venues in an explosion of markets, fashion, art, food, drink, and of course, live music.
Vinyl enthusiasts will gorge at the Red Bull Crate Diggers & Music Market in Brunswick Mall; Foodies will feast away at Chinatown Chow Down, complete with an outdoor karaoke venue for sundown singers; the pop-up Valley Swap Shoppe returns to gift fashionistas fun and sustainable activities, and Sunday One will bring the Valley’s LBTGI community out in artsy force, along with special guests and DJs.
As for the soundtrack? Expect the best in nu-skool hip hop (Allday, REMi), genre-bending bangers (a Sampology AV set, Motez, Basenji, Young Franco), everyman rock (Dan Sultan), and trophy-grabbing musicians (a showcase of QMA 2013 winners Jeremy Neale, Mosman Adler, and more), plus there’s more bands joining the bill from this Friday 25th July, so keep your eyes peeled.
And how much will you be paying to be a part of Valley Fiesta 2014? Absolutely nothing. While there are some individual partnered ticketing events the Brisbane City Council-presented festival is a fre, all ages event.
Who’s Playing? Allday, REMi, Dan Sultan, Sampology, Motez, Jeremy Neale, Safia, Mosman Adler, Basenji, Young Franco, and more.
Tickets: None, entry is free. More info at http://www.valleyfiesta.com/
Rottofest 2014
Where? Rottnest Island, WA
When? 19th – 21st September, 2014
Why? Providing a unique combination of stand-up comedy and live emerging Aussie music, the sixth edition of this weekend long festirval is promising to be its best lineup yet, transforming Rottnest into an island of laughs and tunes (complete with a ferry to get you there from the WA coast).
On the music side of things, maverick Sydney songsmith Andy Bull will be playing as part of his debut album tour, joined by esteemed electro-popsters Panama, and fellow NSW music-makers Lyall Moloney and Bootleg Rascal. Making a shorter trip to Rottofest will be Perth MC Coin Banks and infectious pop-rockers Rain Day Women. Rounding out the bill is Melbourne future-pop duo Deja and a selection of WA DJs.
There’s budget ‘music only’ day passes available for the purists, but you’ll want to trump for a full ticket when you scope the humorous half of the lineup, including The Dave Chappelle Show‘s Donnell Rwalings (aka Ashy Larry), John Safran and his literary Murder In Mississippi show, the hilariously awkward Dayne Rathbone, and many more. There’s also a comedy shorts film festival, Bogan Bingo, and a “Crap Disco” over the course of the weekend.
Who’s Playing? Andy Bull, Panama, Coin Banks, Rainy Day Women, Deja, Woodlock, and more.
Tickets: Day passes from $35 (+b/f). More info and ticket bundles at events.ticketbooth.com.au/event/Rottofest2014
