Chopped Festival: Chat with Director Kyle Ford
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Chopped Festival: Chat with Director Kyle Ford

Combining all the best parts of a music festival with the fuel of a car show, Chopped is the only festival of its kind in the world. Mixing dirt races and bikes with the heart pounding sounds of rock ‘n’ roll, this year’s line up features headliners C.W. Stoneking, Fireballs, Jackson Firebird, Steve Smyth and Mammoth Mammoth.
What started out as a passion project for Castlemaine locals Kyle and Ryan Ford with friend Paul Williams, Chopped magazine soon became a thriving music event that Hot Rod lovers mark religiously on their calendars.
“We all have a traditional Hot Rodding background, and we found that there wasn’t actually a magazine out there sort of covering what we wanted,” says Kyle.
“Our first year was just a little car show on a football oval in the middle of town. We had 130 cars over two days and 400 people through the gates. People liked it and the next year it doubled in size, the following year it tripled, and then so on and so on until now, all of a sudden, the magazine sort of took a by line to the show, and the show became a festival.
“We’ve now sort of rolled it into being half a Hot Rodding festival, like a traditional Hot Rodding celebration and half of a music festival. We bring those things together to just create a whole new world.”
Describing the event as a, “Non-stop three day party. It’s a whole lot of fun with lots of action, and great music, great cars” attendees can bring their own bikes and cars, or simply come and watch the action.
“It brings together something that no one else is really doing,” says Kyle.
“We’re sort of bringing together groups that don’t really exist properly together…we bring subcultures together, which is really nice to build an appreciation between the two.”
With over 25 bands at this years’ festival, they want to make sure that people never get bored. “We’re super happy with the line up this year, it feels like the best we’ve put together,” says Kyle. Campsites are available, so be prepared for the elements as Chopped promises to run rain, hail or shine.
The addition of a Tiki Palace, cocktails and cabin bars adds to the party atmosphere; making everyone happy. “We want people to walk away worn out, but energised at the same time,” he says.
Promising that Chopped 2015 will be “more spectacular” and will include “lots of upgrades,” this is a festival that lovers of good ol’ rock ‘n’ roll were made for. Featuring bobbers, choppers and dirt drags, it will be three days of intense good times and music.
Held at The Campbell Street Motor Lodge on October 2,3 and 4, you can buy tickets online at oztix.com.au or at the gate. Prices vary for different ages and groups, and day passes are available. If you’re into motors and music, Chopped is the place to be. As Kyle says, “Sometimes it’s worth stepping out of your comfort zone, you never know what’s going to surprise you!”
Written by Jessica Morris
Photo: ZOE MCMAHON
When & Where: Chopped, Newstead – October 2, 3 & 4