River Rocks Rehab is back for 2019
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River Rocks Rehab is back for 2019

The music festival that revived Geelong’s music scene, River Rocks Festival, is returning to the Barwon Club for its twelfth year. The self-funded event was born from the minds of Jason Bee and Neale Cox in 2008, with the BC’s Al O’Neil joining in 2013. During a time when live rock music in Geelong was waning, River Rocks bought an all-day-and-night experience for rock lovers.

The River Rocks 2019 sold-out line-up includes explosive headline acts such as Cosmic Psychos, The Meanies, Hard-Ons, Rocket Science, Cable Ties, and Spanish five-piece Los Chicos, along with an extensive list of supporting acts guaranteed to have the crowd raving. If you missed out on River Rocks tickets, the next-best-thing is happening only the day after.

For the third consecutive year, River Rocks Rehab will run on the Sunday of the Festival. When River Rocks sold out in 2017, Rehab was the solution to demanding audiences: a second day, with more music. As well as headlining acts, the Sunday includes a BBQ for those suffering from the Saturday’s drinking or more alcohol for those continuing.

Headlining River Rocks Rehab this year is American Kid Congo Powers, bringing his latest act Kid Congo and the Near Death Experience to Australia for the first time. Kid Congo has been rocking around the States since the 80s and has played with names like The Gun Club and Nick Cave, lately focussing on his band The Pink Monkey Birds.

Kid Congo last brought his band to our shores in 2015 for the first time in 25 years, and again in 2018. Congo and the Near Death Experience appear for on two Australian dates this year, the RRR being their final show.

Returning to also headline for a second day are acts Cosmic Psychos, The Meanies and Los Chicos. Cosmic Psychos have appeared at River Rocks for years, being one of the original bands to inspire the festival. The Meanies formed as a power-punk group in the late 80s and are celebrating their 30th anniversary this year. Spanish band Los Chicos (which translates to ‘The Boys’) are self-described as a ‘country-punk-rock-soul-gospel machine’ visiting Australia to support veteran punk band Radio Birdman.

Behind these headliners are an array of support acts that will ensure that River Rocks Rehab will be just as rampant as the day before. Brisbane swamp rock act SixFtHick will work the stage along with Intoxica, another 80s rock and roll band from Melbourne. Glitoris, the Canberra punk four-piece, will also return to Geelong for Rehab. Other support names include Hobo Magic, The Tremors, Dicklord, and Sacramento Sweaters.

Between sets, and following the live music, DJs Rory Fang It! and James ‘The Hound Dog’ Taylor will take to the decks to make sure that there isn’t any silence during the festivities. Whether you’re continuing from the day before or looking to see a range of bands from across four decades, River Rocks Rehab promises to be an afternoon and evening of screaming, singing and wild dance moves.

River Rocks Rehab kicks off on Sunday 10 November. Tickets available at the BC or from Oztix

Written by Thom Devereux