The countdown is on for the much-loved boutique music festival Meadow (previously known as By The Meadow) which returns this month for its seventh year.
Set to take place on March 27-29, the annual three-day and two-night celebration returns to the lush farmland hamlet of Bambra (Victoria’s enchanting Otway Surf Coast region), featuring festival headliners Angie McMahon and Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever, alongside beloved 80s channeling Italo-disco heavyweight Donny Benét, Melbourne’s soul journeymen Surprise Chef, the iconic trio of Dyson Stringer Cloher, dynamic alt-country outfit Caitlin Harnett & The Pony Boys, newfangled rock supergroup Mr. Teenage, and euphonious wordsmith POOKIE, as well as exploratory indie outfit Snowy Band, regular Meadow frequenters The Attics and local legends Matt Bourke & The Delusional Drunks. Phew, and that’s not even half of the lineup!
While the music is definitely the main drawcard, you can’t be expected to party all weekend without fuelling up and luckily this festival is known for their ability to pull through when it comes to satisfying cravings.
So what’s on the menu?
First up, Perla Tacos will be your go-to if you’re craving the taste of fresh, colourful, spicy Mexican flavours! Created by Torquay locals Will and Elyssa, Perla Tacos create soft corn tacos that are gluten free, generous, fresh and super tasty. They pride themselves on their locally sourced ingredients and healthy cooking methods, also providing vegetarian and vegan options. Olé!?
If you’re a fan of pizza (and who isn’t?), Pete’s Woodfired Pizza will be dishing up some of the tastiest pizzas on the surf coast. The dough is homemade, the toppings are fresh and the taste is seriously mouth-watering, it’s guaranteed to make’a you happy.
For the meatlovers, Sticks and Bones BBQ will have you coming back time and time again throughout the festival. With Geelong born chef and owner Nicki Morrison at the helm, the flavours can be credited to being smoked over 100% wood for 4-10 hours… yum.
The cafe culture certainly hasn’t been forgotten either. Lorne’s Tin Can Alley will be brewing up local coffee; and slinging tasty regional treats across the weekend. Keep an eye out for Fred’s toasties and jam filled donuts from Lorne’s Loutit Bay Bakery as well as loaded fries topped with mountains of caramelised onion, Barongarook chorizo and Shulz Dairy fetta. We’re just stoked that there’s caffeine, because let’s be real – a three day festival, you’re going to need it!
With high-quality food in our fingertips, you expect something just as good to wash it down with – and Meadow are pulling out all the stops, catering to every type of taste.
For those that enjoy the taste of a frosty amber nectar, you’ll find a solid lineup of craft beers from Salt Brewing. Delicious beer brewed by the beach, they’ll be pouring their Moby Pale Ale (an Australian spin on an American Pale) and their subtle and delicious Kook Blood Orange XPA, (from Australian blood oranges and mandarin hops). Best of all, 10% of profits from the Moby Pale Ale’s will go to Sea Shepherd, who work to defend marine wildlife and protect their habitat in the world’s oceans. Talk about a win, win.
If gin is more your flavour, you’ll be sorted for the weekend with Great Ocean Road Gin. Since releasing their first gin in 2018, they’ve become a favourite for gin lovers near and far and we can see why. You’ll be able to see for yourself too, as they serve up their Guvvos Gin. Inspired by native botanicals from the Great Ocean Road, this one’s a modern take on a classic dry style, it’s a luscious citrus gin, with crisp clean juniper, and savoury ocean notes. In short, it’s bloody delicious.
The wine hasn’t been forgotten either, with Heroes Vineyard pouring Pinot Noir, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc and a Sparkling Rosé, as well as wine’s on offer from Bambra’s Dinny Goonan Winery.
If working your way through a list of fancy-sounding and super-tasting cocktails is more up your alley, you’ll fall in love with the concoctions on offer at Meadow. Start with the Escape To The Country (Vodka, Lemon, Ginger, Hand-Picked Rosemary) and the Bambra Spritz (Heroes Deeds Not Words Sparkling Rosé, Campari, Orange) before welcoming the night with a classic Espresso Martini (Woolshed Roastery Espresso + Dreams, Shaken With Ice). For those with a more acquired taste, the Wild Blackberry Negroni (Pennyroyal Brambleberry Gin, Campari, Cocchi Vermouth) and the Great Ocean Road Guvvos Gin & Soda / Tonic (Surfcoast botanicals; coast daisy, salt bush, pigface, kelp, eucalypts, honey) are sure to be favourites.
Now, how’s that for a festival menu?
Meadow promises yet another three-day, two-night, once-in-a-year-time party. Grab your mates, grab your tents, stock up the Esky, and escape the rat race to the picturesque Otway Hinterlands – just 90-minutes South-West of Melbourne.
The festival goes down March 27-29, 2020 – Bambra, Victoria. The final release tickets now moving fast. Don’t sleep on it.
