“Come shake yo’ ass” they tantalize.
And shaking their asses punters have for 8 years worth of boutique camping festivities.
As one of Australia’s best kept festival secrets Boogie has built a dedicated following since its inception in 2007.
Their formula for success?
A Boogie lineup has always consisted of a diverse array of acts spanning as many genres as you can think of.
Take the lineup for Boogie 6 for example. Jim James of My Morning Jacket headlined alongside Lanie Lane, The Superholics, Sures and Royal Headache.
Or even look towards the 2013 edition. Kitty, Daisy and Lewis, Super Wild Horses, Tony Joe White, Velociraptor and Little Bastard to name a few all made up the bill.
While music is an important part of the equation it is not the sole factor in Boogie’s growing success.
The picturesque surrounds of Bruzzy’s farm, just outside of Tallarook, might play a small role, but we’re willing to bet that the delicious Boogie Bites and fine selection of drinks is the other major reason behind the festival’s success.
Boogie has long remained a quiet player in Australia’s festival scene. Yet as one of the country’s best camping events word is slowly getting out.
So you’d best shake yo’ ass at Boogie before the secret is inevitably found out.
Lineup
Texan blues musician Gary Clark Jr headlines the 8th edition of Boogie with Perth psych rockers Pond joining alongside him to initiate hip swinging movements audience wide.
Crossing the ocean with Clark Jr. will be Americana singer Jason Isbell who will return after featuring in the Boogie 4 festivities. The legendary Vic Simms will pay his first visit to the country since 1957 joined by his band, The Halfway Allstars.
Other international acts bringing the sounds of Southern America include Lindi Ortega, The Mastersons and Tift Merritt.
That’s not to mention the fine selection of Aussie talent on the bill, which includes punksters Bloods and Geelong’s garage rockers The Frowning Clouds to name just a few.
Check out the entire lineup here.
Where And When
Boogie is situated at Bruzzy’s Farm in the small country Victorian town of Tallarook and runs across Easter weekend from April 18th to the 20th.
How To Get There
For interstate travellers we have listed below the estimated prices for one-way airfares that were available at the time of writing.
Punters will have the airline choices of Qantas, Jet and Virgin Australia.
Adelaide: Cheapest airfares available are valued at around $109.
Brisbane: Flights will set you back from $145.
Perth: Airfares are valued upwards of $280.
Sydney: Cheapest flights available are valued at around $105.
From Melbourne all ticket holders can take a Vline train from Southern Cross station. The Tallarook station is on the Seymour line and the journey approximately takes 1 hour and 7 minutes.
From the station a complimentary shuttle buss will take you to the festival site.
If driving is more your thing follow these instructions, taken from the Boogie website.
1. “Get on the Hume Freeway and head north.
2. Once you pass Broadford look out for the Tallarook exit.
3. Take the Tallarook exit through Tallarook Town
4. Go past the pub and turn left under the freeway
5. Turn left onto the Tallarook-Pyalong road
6. Two km down this road, just over the rise on the left you will find Bruzzy’s Farm, the home of Boogie!”
However as Boogie strongly encourages being as eco friendly as possible be aware that you can pay a voluntary $10 parking/carbon offset fee.
Where To Stay
Boogie is a camping event so pack your gear and prepare yourself for a few nights of slanted rest.
At the festival site there are two camping areas. One is provided for those who have driven to the event, while the second is situated under trees. If you want to drive, but also camp at the tree area you will have to carry your camping gear from the designated car park.
Motorhomes and caravans will also have their own area, although there are no powered sites available.
There are outdoor showers here for those unwilling to embrace the full camping philosophy, but the price of feeling clean comes in at $5.
How To Get Tickets
Anyone over the age of 15 is classified a ‘Boogie Adult’ and must purchase the relevant pass. The Boogie Adult pass is valued at $199 before online booking and processing fees. The pass includes return train travel from any suburban Melbourne train station to Tallarook along with free camping.
The Boogie Youth pass includes all of the aforementioned, but – as you’ve probably guessed – it’s for ages 8-15 and will set you back $70.
Children under eight years old get into Boogie free of charge.
You can purchase tickets online here, or alternatively make your way to Polyester City (288 Flinders Lane), Greville Records (152 Greville St, Prahan) or Polyester Fitzroy (387 Brunswick) to get your hands on a physical pass straight away.
Insider Tips & Tricks/Things You Shouldn’t Miss
Gates open at 2pm on the Friday with the entertainment beginning at 5pm. All punters will be required to leave strictly by midday on the Monday. Keep an eye out for the breakfast stand on Monday morning to fuel your journey home.
Ask any past Boogie attendee what their non-music highlight of the festival has been and they’ll most likely enthusiastically mutter something about Box Wars. The concept in question includes a choreographed play where each ‘actor’ is dressed up in cardboard box costumes. Needless to say the act ends in complete and utter mayhem with few boxes attached to each person.
Like all good outdoor rural gatherings Boogie has bonfires going to light up the night and provide warmth (if needed) for punters to drink and chat by.
The Hillybilly Clubhouse will once again be central to the festivities this year where the party will continue after the bands have had their time on stage.
At Boogie Town you’ll find all the Boogie Bites and drinks. Be aware however that while Boogie is a BYO event you won’t be able to bring your own drinks into this licensed area.
To purchase food and drinks you will need to exchange your Aussie dollars for Boogie Bucks with the festival minting its own coins for the event. If you have any coins leftover at the end of the weekend you will be able to exchange them back.
With Boogie located in the sprawling hills of Tallarook there are a few walking trails that punters can use for a beautiful early morning wander to walk off their hangovers.
For more details head to the official Boogie Website
