New South Wales is getting a brand new addition to the music festival roster, with the confirmation that the weekend-long Return To Rio will be taking up residency at Wisemans Ferry, the venue that had previously hosted the cancelled Playground Weekender, which was scuppered in February 2012 due to flooding.
Following in the spirit of the demised Playground Weekender, Return To Rio will also feature the fancy-dress and ‘pool party vibe’ of the site’s former festival denizens.
Taking place at the Del Rio Riverside Resort – located on the banks near Wiseman’s Ferry – from November 15th to 17th, featuring two stages of live bands, electronic acts, and DJs spinning disco, house, disco, and soul, as The Music reports.
The event’s promoters Disktrickt, who will also be performing at the event, are the promoters for the festival and the Sydney-based team of Nick Law and Richard Cooper (aka DJ Tricky) have promised a “range of wholesome activities” to keep punters entertained alongside the music. “From tennis, to mini golf, and basketball, to water skiing – there is something for everyone,” says Cooper. Return To Rio will be taking up residency at Wisemans Ferry, the venue that had previously hosted the cancelled Playground Weekender…
Topping the bill are headliners Mad Racket, along with a party-centric lineup that features S.A.S.H., R Music,Love Bombs, Bad Apple, Sash, Monkey Tennis, Danny La Roo, the aforementioned event promoters Disktrict, and a whole host more besides.
To gain access to the Return To Rio and book accommodation, punters will need one of the 1,000 elusive Golden Tickets, which go on sale Sunday 1st September at $120 (+b/f) a pop. The golden pass includes on-site camping, plus a choice of hotels and B&Bs in and around Wisemans Ferry.
To gain entry to and book accommodation at Return to Rio, you’re going to need a Golden Ticket. They go on sale September 1 for $120, and there’s only 1000 up for grabs. There’s camping on-site, plus a choice of hotels and B&Bs around Wisemans Ferry. Full details at facebook.com/ReturnToRio
The Wisemans Ferry site drew major headliners in February 2012 when, following advice from Police and the NSW State Emergency Services, the Playground Weekender festival – to be held in March – was forced to cancel due to concerns over flooding from the nearby Hawkesbury River into the valley where the event was held.
Due to play the popular festival were Chic Feat Nile Rogers, Boy & Bear, Roots Manuva, UNKLE Sounds, Manchester Orchestra, Black Lips, and Ariel Pinks Haunted Graffiti, amongst others. The weather conditions that made the site unsafe for punters and artists, forcing promoters Playground Festivals Pty Ltd to write off over $1 million from the cancelled event.
Given it’s taking place in the lead-up to summer, Return To Rio’s November showing should hopefully mean those waters will keep their levels at a temperate level.
Return To Rio 2013 Festival Lineup
Mad Racket, Sash, Love Bombs, Start Cue, Bad Apple, R Music, Disktrict, Soul Shaker, Monkey Tennis, Danny La Roo, Sketch the Rhyme, Wonderland Ave, The Syndicate, Simon Caldwell, Ken Cloud, Murat, Gabby, Shamus, Jonny Gleeson, Garry Todd, Matt Weir, Kerry Wallace, Ben Ashton, Jack Fuller, Tim Reeves Smith, Antoine Lubideneuse, Tricky, Lawless, Dyson, Adam Proctor, Al Hearnshaw, Ross Ashman, Tommy Rutherford, Resort Styles, Mike Who, Richie Edwards, Ricky Gallagher, Lummy, Yelo Magic, Gary Broadband, Danny Bass, Rupert Pay, Simon P, Keema, Eggs, Brendon Le Bond, Alan Tomson, Shaun Bro, Auto Slide, Gabriel Clouson, Foreigndub, Nick Field, Lazy Cat, Keith Hodge, Alexandra, Local Hero’s Big Man & Strangey.
Return To Rio 2013 Festival Dates & Tickets
Wisemans Ferry, NSW
Friday 15 – Sunday 17 November, 2013
Full details at facebook.com/ReturnToRio
