Setting up in one of Australia’s most picturesque national parks next month, the Grampians Music Festival (GMF) is bringing the Valley Stage back to the stunning paddock location in Halls Gap from February 15 to 17 in what will be a display of outstanding Australian up and coming musical talent, boutique beer, wine and spirits, global cuisine and dancing in the dirt.
Last year saw 20 of Australia’s most impressive new artists grace the Grampians stage for its second edition, including the likes of Tired Lion, Ruby Fields, Heaps Good Friends, SAATSUMA and Polish Club; highlighting the festival’s strong focus on up-and-coming Australian artists who are distinctive, exciting and above all, supremely talented.
And this years lineup is proving to be just as juicy – if not juicier!
Leading the charge on the 2019 bill is the inimitable Sampa The Great and globetrotting singer songwriter Angie McMahon.
Since gracing the scene with her 2015 debut The Great Mixtape, Sampa The Great has supported the likes of Kendrick Lamar, Thundercat and Hiatus Kaiyote, appeared on collaborations galore with artists like Remi and Ecca Vandal and received the coveted Australian Music Prize (AMP) for her incredible 2018 album Birds And The BEE9. An exciting addition to the Grampians lineup, you’ll be able to catch her tearing up the stage on Saturday night.
Rapidly rising star Angie McMahon has garnered industry acclaim and sell-out shows across Australia and the UK since the release of her first single ‘Slow Mover’ only 12 months ago. Since then, the industry heavyweight has secured support slots for Father John Misty, The Shins, Angus & Julia Stone and several other renowned local acts. She’ll be performing at 7:10pm on the Sunday so make sure you have your dinner early and head over to the stage to check her out.
Other big names for the third festival instalment include Melbourne synth and soul-laden duo Slum Sociable who will be bringing cult singles ‘Anyway’, ‘All Night’, ‘Apartment’ and their latest ‘Can’t Figure It Out’ and ‘Do Something About It’ to an army of adoring fans on the GMF stage on Saturday evening, and international charting electronic RnB artist Wafia who recently lent her impeccable vocals to Louis the Child’s huge hit ‘Better Not’ which earned the artist a feature spot on stage with the band at both their Coachella set and headline show at the renowned Red Rocks Amphitheatre. Our cover girl will be playing the second last set for the entire weekend on Sunday night, right before Sweat Dreams DJs (winner of last years’ regional DJ Competition) who will close out the festival with the promise of a few tongue-in-check guilty pleasures and some house and disco tunes you can dance to.
Priding itself on creating a safe and inclusive environment that celebrates and fosters a culture of positive change in the Australian music industry Grampians Music Festival will also see sets from Alice Skye, Batts, Benny Walker, Body Type, Bones and Jones, Cool Out Sun, Hobsons Bay Coast Guard, Huntly, Jade Imagine, Kat Edwards, Milan Ring, MzRizk, Planet, Rat!Hammock, Sagamore, Seaside and White Bleaches to round out the diverse 2019 festival line up.
How’s that for a lineup!?
It’s clear they’ve got the love of discovering music at the heart of GMF. Differing to the standard festival program which has multiple bands across multiple stages at the same time, The Grampians Music Festival sets itself apart with only one stage, allowing punters to enjoy all the genre-spanning up-and-coming musicians who take to the stage. So all those acts we’ve just mentioned… you will be able to see EVERY SINGLE one of them. There’s no trying to work out a schedule and compromise who you see – and that’s why we absolutely adore it. Peep the set times below.
A highlight of the festival is of course the ‘Best in the West’ Friday night program, which showcases the region’s very best in an all Victorian lineup. Last year saw acts such as Melbourne’s self-described sombre-folk dandy Didirri, Melbourne-via-Ballarat Crepes and Bendigo’s Fountaineer take to the stage, while this year you’ll be spending your Friday evening with aforementioned artists Alice Skye, Benny Walker, Sagamore, White Bleaches and Bones and Jones, all hailing from Forté territory.
That’s not all though. Their passion for discovering new music continues with the Regional Electronic Producer and DJ Competition. In partnership with Victorian youth music organisation, The Push, this created an opportunity for emerging electronic producers and DJs from regional score to themselves a spot on the line up alongside some of the country’s best new musical talent.
With only weeks to go until the festival, the team are proud to announce the Electronic Producer winner, A Miner. The solo project of Mark With the Sea frontman and Ballarat local Marc Oswin, A Miner will bring his unique keyboard and software shaped soundscapes to the Mountains, closing out the first evening’s entertainment with a one hour set.
The competition’s DJ Winner will be announced on Monday 21st January after a public vote between the top three entrants DJ PLMH from Ballarat, Siimbolizm from Clifton Springs, Slyshun from Ballarat, and the winner will kick off the final day’s proceedings with a Sunday afternoon set. How’s that for representing regional Victoria!? Voting is now open, so simply head to the Grampians Music Festival Facebook page to cast your vote.
Alongside the smorgasbord of musical talent, Grampians Music Festival will also be a celebration of all things Victorian with their food and booze offerings from the region.
Boasting an array of great food, you’re sure to find something to satisfy the cravings, ranging from savoury to sweet with local food vendors including Latin Dreams, Tin Can Alley Coffee Van, The Happy Mexican, East India Trading Company, The Forge Pizzeria and Hippy Whippy.
Of course, it’s hardly a festival without the booze. Along with all your usual suspects (beer, wine, cider and spirits), this year the team have a special Patient Wolf Gin x MoonDog Brewing collaboration lined up for the festival which offers punters a ‘Moon Dog Two Moon Wolf Sloe Gin Fizz Cocktail Ale’. As a beer created using leftover gin-soaked berries, this one is definitely worth lining up for.
It sounds pretty good doesn’t it? A sunny weekend away with mates and music. A showcase of the best new bands making music all over the country. Local produce, beer and wine. Big mountains, huge sounds and a beautiful, chilled-out vibe. What’s not to love? All that’s left to do now is to secure the date, round up the crew and buy your tickets!
You can still nab a three day festival pass for $179 , or you can browse a range of ticket packages to choose from though if the three day pass doesn’t suit, and kids under 14 are free!
To make life a bit easier and ensure a smooth festival experience for all, the squad behind GMF have also teamed up with the lush Halls Gap Gardens Caravan Park to offer a camping option for festival goers at just $36 for three nights. Located just a 15-minute walk from the festival site, you’ll be privy to the showers, a swimming pool and free WIFI! The festival will also provide a free shuttle bus to and from the Gardens, ensuring you get to the festival on time and in one piece. There’s more though… Catering to campers of all levels and experiences, you can even forget the hammer and elect the choice of a pre-erected tent by KarTent. How easy is that!? You’ll want to jump on these ones quick before spots sell out.
Join Grampians Music Festival in February 2019 and celebrate regional Victoria, and the diverse collection of the best up-and-coming musicians from across Australia.
Tickets on sale now via grampiansmusicfestival.com/tickets/
2019 Line Up
Alice Skye
A Miner
Angie McMahon
Batts
Benny Walker
Body Type
Bones and Jones
Cool Out Sun
Hobsons Bay Coast Guard
Huntly
Jade Imagine
Kat Edwards
Milan Ring
MzRizk
Planet
Rat!Hammock
Sagamore
Sampa The Great
Seaside
Slum Sociable
Sweat Dreams DJs
Wafia
White Bleaches
Regional DJ *still to be decided
