An iconic Aussie frontman has let slip of the Homebake music festival’s plans to relocate to a new site for its 2013 edition this December.
Following on from Homebake promoters confirming that the festival would return in 2013 to celebrate its 18th birthday, news has been leaked of the Sydney event’s change in location away from its successful showing at the Domain in 2012 for its Blondie-headlined ‘Global Edition’, which comes from the mouth of none other than Tex Perkins.
The Beasts of Bourbon frontman let slip of the Homebake relocation in an interview with ABC Dig Music, as Triple J reports, confirming that it will be moving to the iconic Sydney Opera House while leaking his own band as the first act for the Homebake 2013 lineup.
“I’m going to announce that here,” said Perkins on air. “Beasts of Bourbon at Homebake – and Homebake will be performed on the steps of the Sydney Opera House. They probably don’t want me to announce that…”
In February, Homebake promoters had confirmed the festival’s return on Saturday 7th December but made no mention of a change in venue. The change to the steps of the iconic Sydney landmark will likely mean a downgrade in capacity for the festival in a move away from its traditional home in the surrounds of the Sydney Botanical Gardens at the Domain in recent years. “Homebake will be performed on the steps of the Sydney Opera House. They probably don’t want me to announce that…” – Tex Perkins
Homebake’s run as one of Australia’s most loved music festivals began in Byron Bay in January 1996. The original lineup featuring all Australian rock bands consisted of Silverchair, Magic Dirt, Powderfinger, You Am I, as well as the original Triple J Unearthed band, Grinspoon. Around 15,000 people attended and danced in the rain to what has become a day to remember in Australia music history.
Growing steadily each year Homebake has continued to showcase predominately Australian rock bands with the likes of The Living End, Something for Kate, and Eskimo Joe featuring across the festival’s lifespan.
The year of 1998 marked the first time the festival hit the road along the East Coast of Australia, stopping in Melbourne, Gold Coast and Sydney to the delight of music fans. The festival expanded to support not only music, but film in 2002. It’s 15th birthday in 2009 brought Jet, Tim Finn, and Powderfinger to celebrate the day as well as a Channel V producing a video tracing Homebake’s history.
By 2010 however, Homebake took a year off, before returning in 2011 for the ‘Classic Edition’, taking to The Domain once more with a lineup featuring Grinderman, Cut Copy, Pnau, Gotye, and Ladyhawke.
Blondie topped last year’s Homebake, headlining a lineup that also featured international pop songstress Kimbra, alongside a bill feautring Hilltop Hoods, Something For Kate, and Tame Impala who “stole the show” according to our Tone Deaf reviewer’s report.
Given the success of Homebake’s addition of Blondie in 2012, the speculation grows for the decisions for 2013. Obviously Beasts of Bourbon are in, according to Perkins’ own leak, but will Homebake continue with a sequel to the ‘Global Edition’ and add more international acts? Or will it go back to its original roots in 2013 with an all-Australian lineup?
All will be revealed in the coming weeks when the Homebake 2013 lineup is announced, with organisers recently posting on the event’s Facebook page: “Ladies & Gentleman – a special 18th anniversary edition announcement is coming & we’re working faster than the proverbial speeding bullet to bring you the news.”
Homebake 2013 Lineup
Beasts Of Bourbon
Homebake 2013
Saturday 7th December – Sydney Opera House, NSW
