Running from Friday 24 to Sunday 26 November, the Queenscliff Music Festival is gaining momentum every year. The festival has become renowned for appealing to music lovers of all kinds, as well as being one of Australia’s best family friendly events – get to it! We’ve rounded up a few things you must see and do over the weekend.
PEOPLE YOU MUST SEE:
Bob Evans
Being a multi-award winning artist who has been a constant in the music industry for the last two decades, Bob Evans, alter ego of Jebidiah’s Kevin Mitchell, promises to be a winning act. Don’t miss out!
Hey Mammoth
This all-girl trio boasts an acoustic, folk sound with some surprise additions of edgy harmonies and thought-provoking lyrics. Their roots lay with soul-fusion, and now that they’re finally branching out, they’re gracing Queenscliff Music Festival with some awesome new sounds.
Izzy Losi and the Lost Auracles
The proclaimed ‘sonic result of Florence and the Machine and Fleetwood Mac getting together”, these guys promise to be a hit. A mish-mash of old-school style and the glorious melodies of Florence and the Machine shot them to the top of the Triple J charts with ‘Change’. You need to see these guys (and girl) in action.
Lamine Sonko and the African Intelligence
The self-titled “FBI of world peace”, these wonderful artists have the signature sound of jazz, funk and reggae―the kind of chill music you should definitely take time out to listen to! Lamine Sonko and the African Intelligence blend together contemporary sounds with West African music, a truly unique combination.
The Temper Trap
These guys shot to fame in 2006 and they soon reached international acclaim with their hit ‘Sweet Disposition’. They have a choir-boy vocals that meets at a crossroads with a panoramic pop-rock sound. It would be insanity to miss out on seeing this band in action.
Bernard Fanning
Singer-songwriter and Powderfinger front man is bringing the best hits from his solo career to headline Saturday night. He will be bringing hits from his ARIA winning release Civil Dusk and its counterpart Brutal Dawn, with a mixture of acoustic and electrical sounds.
HOW TO GO DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE:
If you’re planning on going to the QMF, there are options to get there by ferry, bus and car (and even plane, train and yacht). There are no designated parking areas, but street parking is available a short walk from the festival. Ferries will be travelling from Sorrento and Port Phillip to the festival with a sensational view of the bay.
If you ever find yourself stranded, a shuttle bus will be operating between Queenscliff, Point Lonsdale, Ocean Grove, Barwon Heads, Portarlington, Leopold, Drysdale and Geelong. You can purchase an unlimited pass for the shuttle bus via the QMF site.
VISIT THE COMEDY SHOW:
The Queenscliff Music Festival provides even more than excellent music. Australia’s best comedians are coming to Queenscliff for a comedy show that will have you rolling on the floor in laughter. Winner of Sydney Comedy Festival’s Best Newcomer Award Demi Lardner is bringing her unique brand of humour to Queenscliff alongside Australian comedy award winner Ivan Aristeguieta. Harley Breen will be doing stand-up with his relatable comedy including the trials of being a new-age dad, and Nath Valvo’s lamentations about cats and self-serve supermarkets will round out the lineup.
FREEZA’S FOOT-IN-THE-DOOR PROGRAM:
The FOOT-in-the-DOOR youth program will be running for the duration of the Queensliff Music Festival and is showcasing the best of young talent from the Bellarine and Geelong Region. If you’re interested in supporting young people get their foot in the door of the music industry, make sure to stop by the Pavilion stage. Many of these talented young artists will soon be selling out venues and filling the Mainstage, so you can get the bragging rights of seeing them first!
WHERE TO GO TO SATISFY THE MUNCHIES:
Food stalls will be operating throughout the festival with a wide selection of delicious food including the Flying Calamari Bros, Perla Tacos and Soul Kitchen Woodfried Pizza Truck. There’s something for everyone, with spiced tea at Otway Chai, bento and miso soup at the Japanese Rice Box, and tandoori chicken at Yo India. Keep your caffeine levels up at Royal Road, and grab a homemade pie while you’re there. Finally, satisfy your sweet tooth with Señor Churro and a double scoop from Timboon Ice Cream.
QUENCHING YOUR THIRST:
The bar will be opening again this year at the Queenscliff Music Festival, with a large variety to pick your poison. Beer, cider and spirits are available at bar prices, with wine from Scotchmans Hill. Cocktails are available for $9, with Pimms and Lemonade on tap! Re-usable glasses can be purchased for $3
If you need a less alcoholic refreshment, the Queenscliff Music Festival asks that you bring your own empty refillable water bottle to the venue. To conserve waste, single use plastic bottles will not be provided by stall holders. Water refill stations are supplied throughout the venue.
PLACES FOR THE AFTERMATH:
For those of you making the trek to QMF, there are a whole range of places to crash, varying from camp sites, Air BnBs, inns, hotels, motels and towns close by. Camping sites are available at the Queenscliff Cricket Ground, Queenscliff Recreation Reserve and Victoria Park, and Royal Park in Point Lonsdale. Tents are allowed within a 3×3 area for both nights of the festival.
Ticket Swap now available: https://www.qmf.net.au/tickets/festival-tickets
When & Where: Queenscliff Music Festival @ Princess Park, Queenscliff Victoria, November 24 – 26
QMF Lineup
30/70
Allysha Joy
Andie Isalie
Andrea Robertson Band
The Bamboos
The Beautiful Girls (Learn Yourself & Morning Sun 15th Anniversary Show)
Beccy Cole
Bec Goring
Bernard Fanning
Black Rabbit George
Bob Evans
Caiti Baker
Creek
Demi Lardner
Didirri
The East Pointers (CAN)
Freya Josephine Hollick
Gabriel Garzon-Montano (USA)
GL
Harley Breen
Hat Fitz & Cara
Heath Robertson Band
Hey Mammoth
Hot Potato Band
Hussy Hicks
The Imprints
Irish Mythen (IRE/CAN)
Ivan Aristeguieta
Izzy Losi & The Auracles
James Franklin
Jazz Party
Jon Cleary & The Absolute Monster Gentlemen (USA)
Lamine Sonko & The African Intelligence
Lindi Ortega (CAN)
Little Georgia
The Mae Trio
Mama Kin & Spender
Mia Dyson
Miss Eileen & King Lear
Nai Palm
Nath Valvo
Pat Tierney
The Refuge
Ron Artis II & The Truth (USA)
Rough River
Russell Morris
Sagamore
Sammy J
Sex On Toast
The Southern River Band
Spiritus
Stella Donnelly
Sweethearts
The Temper Trap
The Teskey Brothers
Tides of Welcome
Tom Richardson
Too Many Zooz (USA)
Travis Bowlin (USA)
True Spirit Revival Yoga
Ukulele Death Squad
The Wilson Pickers
Xavier Rudd
Yirrmal & The Miliyawutj
Yothu Yindi & The Treaty Project
Vince Peach
