Australia’s newest big landmark, The Big Rainbow, is coming to regional Victoria

Australia is earning itself quite a reputation for iconic ‘Big Things’. There’s the Big Banana in Coffs Harbour, Big Merino in Goulburn, Big Pineapple in Woombye, Big Potato in Robertson and the Big Ned Kelly at the Glenrowan Tourist Centre. Heck, there’s even a Big Prawn in Ballina.

The regional Victorian town of Daylesford is soon to become home to another ‘big’ landmark with The Big Rainbow .

Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around the region here. 

Australia’s first “big” landmark dedicated to the celebration of regional LGBTIQA+ pride and inclusion, the 12 metres wide and six metres high Big Rainbow was designed with members of the LGBTIQA+ and First Nations communities.

Earlier this year, in a larger-than-life show of support for the regional LGBTQIA+ community, Tinder unveiled Australia’s newest “Big” landmark, ‘the Big Rainbow’ which sat pretty in its temporary home in Sydney before announcing it was on the lookout for a new regional location as part of the Big Rainbow Project.

After thousands of submissions and over 50 regional towns suggested, it came down to a final four towns: Daylesford, Hay, Broome and Katherine, with voting up to the public to decide its future home in regional Australia, to champion diversity, inclusion and self-expression.

With 16,000 public votes cast, Daylesford was the clear winner in becoming the final destination for the Big Rainbow.

It seems like a perfect match for Daylesford, the Traditional Land of the Dja Dja Wurrung people, which is known as the rainbow capital of regional Victoria. It’s also home to Chillout Festival, one of the longest-running events celebrating regional LGBTQIA+ pride, so we think it would be pretty special to see the landmark there.

“Daylesford is the home of the ChillOut Festival, the longest-running regional LGBTQIA+ festival in Australia, and home to many rainbow families. Council will soon initiate a period of community engagement to tap into the community’s local knowledge and perspectives about the best-suited location for the Big Rainbow which will celebrate our vibrant and inclusive community,” Hepburn Shire Mayor Cr Tim Drylie said.

 

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The Big Rainbow will be installed in Daylesford over the next six months.

Mayor Drylie said that the council will launch a consultation with the local community to decide the best location for the Big Rainbow in Daylesford. The council has shortlisted four locations – Lake Daylesford, Lost Children’s Park, Victoria Park and the Daylesford Community Skate Park.

“We are so grateful for the support that people across the country have shown us in voting for Daylesford to be the home of The Big Rainbow. We have a long history of supporting our LGBTIQA+ community and visitors to our town, and we hope that The Big Rainbow will be an example of what it means to show love and support to everyone.  We’re looking forward to having the community help us decide where the Big Rainbow will live,” added the Mayor.

The council is also hoping that the Big Rainbow will prove to be a big drawcard and attract more tourists to Daylesford.

“We see people seeking out the Big Pineapple in Queensland and the Big Merino in New South Wales, we believe The Big Rainbow will continue to add to our visitor experience in the beautiful Daylesford and Hepburn Shire,” said CEO Bradley Thomas.

Find out more about the Big Rainbow Project here. 

Dallas Frasca announces huge hometown gig in Melbourne

Continuing her fiercely independent pathway, Dallas Frasca returns to the tour circuit announcing her first hometown show since the pandemic taking place at the Worker’s Club in Fitzroy/Narrm on November 12 at the special time of 1pm.

A stand-out of her class, a charismatic and commanding stage presence, and an almighty force on the mic, Frasca has toured the world, clocking over 1000 shows including 9 international tours. Her ferocious, critically acclaimed live performances are not to be missed. Frasca’s new blistering trio will introduce Melbourne synth Lord, Ehsan Gelsi and Ben Crook on drums for this explosive welcome home show.

Keep up with the latest music news, festivals, interviews and reviews here.

“I’m beside myself to announce some of my favourite Melbournite artists will join the line-up for my first Narrm show in 3yrs. I don’t think I’ve been psyched about playing a show in my hometown,” Dallas says.

 

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In 2016, Dallas released her critically acclaimed 3rd full-length album,Love Army produced by Andy Baldwin (Bjork, Elle King, Snow Patrol), the opening track, ‘Success Is The Best Revenge’, was chosen as the theme song of the worldwide sync on popular TV show, Bondi Ink with many songs off the album included in Australian TV shows, ‘Playing For Keeps’, ‘Head Above Water’, ‘Neighbours’, ‘Mustangs FC’ and award-winning Netflix documentary, ‘Embrace’.

Dallas supported the album with a worldwide tour; opened for Ugly Kid Joe (US), The Bellrays (US) across Europe; and toured Aus while has appeared at the Sydney Opera House and festivals such as FallsFest, BluesFest, Queenscliff, Cognac Blues Passions (FR), Le Man 24hr Circuit Race (w/ Earth Wind & Fire), Woodford Folk Festival, Hotter Than Hell, Wallapalooza, Canada’s International Earth Day in Montreal, and much more.

With new music on the way in 2023, Frasca released a new single, God’s Gonna Cut You Down (Sept 1st) recorded just for the Aussie thriller, #Darklands (Winner of Best International Feature at the Swedish International Film Festival & AACTA nominee for Best Indie Film), out now on Stan.

Purchase tickets here. 

The Angels documentary ‘Kickin’ Down The Door’ is hitting cinemas in December 

No pub jukebox worth its salt would be complete without an A to Z collection of The Angels’ legendary hits.

In fact, I’ll wager that no Saturday night in the pubs around Australia would be complete without a unified chorus of ‘Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again?’ sang arm in arm, with glasses raised high.

Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around the region here.

For fans of this quintessential Australian band that came hurtling out of Adelaide in the 1970s with the searing guitar sound of the Brewster brothers and Doc Neeson, Kickin’ Down The Door is the new feature documentary about their career.

Since their beginning, they worked their way up, developing an unmistakably unique musical style. By 1978 they were a behemoth of the local rock scene and on the path to international success… until they just missed their chance. Yet they still revolutionised the Aussie music scene transforming it from pretty pop to gritty guitar rock featuring ferocious and theatrical live shows.

In Kickin’ Down The Door, Adelaide director Maddie Parry (Hannah Gadsby: Nanette) has made a surprisingly intimate documentary, with band members’ home videos and never-before-seen photos, exploring the internal tensions that strained relationships to breaking point, even while producing incandescent rock’n’roll.

In it, John and Rick Brewster both give lengthy interviews during the documentary alongside chats with other key figures that were a part of the band’s journey including former drummers Graham ‘Buzz’ Bidstrup and Brent Eccles.

Now the documentary is coming to cinemas in December. The movie will hit the big screen around the country on Thursday, December 1 off the back of its recent premiere at the Adelaide Film Festival.

Ahead of the cinema release, regional music lovers will also be able to see it at LongPlay Music Film Festival in Ballarat with a screening and acoustic performance from founding guitarists Rick and John Brewster on November 21.

Stay tuned for more.

The magical production Wish Upon A Song returns, bringing some of the best Disney hits to Geelong

Everyone – I repeat everyone – knows Disney songs. Sitting in front of the television watching your beloved Disney flicks over and over was just part of life, the circle of life, and for whatever reason, Disney tracks are just ones we remember all of the words to.

Enjoyed by generations, 2023 is shaping up to be quite the magical time for both Disney and Geelong musical theatre fans with the return of the wildly successful production, ‘Wish Upon A Song – Volume II’.

The key takeaways

• The Geelong Lyric Theatre Society returns Wish Upon A Song – Volume II
• Wish Upon a Song – Volume II showcases the epic music and all-time hit songs from over a dozen Disney films
• The new all-original program brings together many of the regions most talented performers for an even bigger, brighter show

Keep up with the latest in local entertainment via our website.

Presented by one of Victoria’s leading musical theatre companies Geelong Lyric Theatre Society, ‘Wish Upon A Song’ was the biggest musical theatre concert in the local theatre company’s almost 50-year history. The award-winning production brought a dazzling dose of Disney to Costa Hall for three massive shows back in 2021.

Now the production is back for Volume II, returning to Costa Hall with a new program and an even bigger, brighter show.

 

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With four massive shows, running from January 26 to January 28 2023, ‘Wish Upon A Song – Volume II’ presents a host of the regions most talented musicians and music theatre performers. With an all-original program, theatre-goers will witness a full symphony orchestra, large ensemble cast, and featured soloists and choir combined for spectacular entertainment.

The senior ensemble will feature the likes of Nick Addison, Kathryn Baldwin, Tom Campbell-Dick, Damian Caruso, Sally-Anne Cowdell, Rebecca Cowled, Madison Dandy, Alannah Farrar, Nikita Ginoski and Scott Graham, among others, while the choir for 2023 will feature the stunning vocals of Chelsea Barton, Marion Bayley, Leesa Collins, Trinity Cronkwright, Maddy Horne, Kim Inturrisi, Sophie Jordan, Alicia Neels, Jess Morrison, Megan Morrison, Terri Powell, Graeme Robinson, Krissy Thompson, Emma Thorley, Grant Whiteside, Avril Wojniusz and Lisa Zarb. A junior ensemble has also been announced for the production.

From old-school classics to contemporary chart-toppers, ‘Wish Upon A Song – Volume II’ will showcase all the epic music from more than a dozen Disney films, including The Lion King, Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast, Mary Poppins, The Little Mermaid, Frozen and Frozen II.

Whether you’re a lover of villain solos like “Be Prepared” from The Lion King, a fan of a romantic duet like Aladdin’s “A Whole New World”, or you prefer more classic “I want” ballads like “Part of Your World” from The Little Mermaid and the belt-it-all-out hit “Let It Go”, we guarantee these magical melodies will get you in a happily-ever-after mood for the entirety of the show.

The 2023 production will be directed and Choreographed by Xavier McGettigan, with Musical Direction by Brad Trealor.

The return of the magical production marks a very special moment for the Geelong Lyric Theatre Society who reunite to bring young and old together for 90 minutes of really uplifting, ‘feel fantastic’ entertainment.

Witness the magic on Thursday, January 26 at 7:30pm, Friday, January 27 at 7:30pm, and Saturday January 28 at 1pm and 5:30pm. Tickets are on sale through the Geelong Arts Centre.

Live Review: The Butterfly Effect prove themselves one of the all-time Australian greats of their generation

First of all, how good is Northcote Theatre!? I’ve been going to gigs all around  Victoria for at least 10 years now and somehow, this was my first time visiting Northcote Theatre. When you add up two huge bars, a stunning viewing area upstairs, great sound, lots of room for moshing and a band as experienced and incredible as The Butterfly Effect, you know you’re in for a great night. 

Keep up with the latest music news, festivals, interviews and reviews here.

I have to say, a main highlight of the night for me was support act Caligula’s Horse, who absolutely brought their best to kick the night off. Going into the show, I’d heard three or four of their songs – I did enjoy them, but I was absolutely blown away listening to their live show compared to their releases. They are all insanely talented musicians but that guitarist just doesn’t slip up while playing the most technical riffs with ease and when it’s solo time… What the fuck is that guy taking? I want some. The highlight of the set for me was probably their song ‘Dream the Dead’; that chorus is damn catchy and got the crowd singing along nicely. Huge props to Brisbane’s finest.  

 

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On to the main event, The Butterfly Effect… What a perfectly thought out and fun set. I know they’ve been together since 1999 but how are they so tight!? Also, Clint Boge’s vocals get better with time, seriously. He was incredible live and that strong falsetto and grunt in his voice was awesome to hear. This is one of those bands that you watch live and just think ‘wow, the bassist and drummer talk to each other so much to make the rhythm section of the band the absolute best it can possibly be’. The band is so damn tight together, and when you combine that with the amazing use of effects from both the bassist and guitarist, incredible vocals and a strong setlist put together from over 20 years of playing together, The Butterfly Effect are still not be messed with.  

Opening with the tracks ‘IV’ and ‘Dark Light’ from their new album IV was awesome, I really enjoy that song and all the tracks they played from this new album were amazing, especially ‘So Tired’ which was extremely heavy live. One of the highlights of the setlist for me was ‘Window and the Watcher’. What a damn song. Everyone in the building loved it and the singalongs were super loud and enjoyable to be a part of, which was a common theme of the set with songs like ‘A Slow Descent’, ‘Always’, ‘Room Without a View’, ‘Before They Knew’ and ‘Worlds on Fire’. Even just writing about it now, what a bunch of anthems.  

 

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After a strong need for an encore from the crowd chanting ‘TEN MORE SONGS’,  they came out and gave us two of their best to close the night. ‘Visiting Hours’ from the new album IV which has such a groove to it topped off with the most  hooky guitar riffs and a massive ending to that song, which went perfectly into the best song they could have closed with, ‘Reach from Imago’. I used to listen the album Imago growing up and ‘Reach’ is such a nostalgic song for me and a lot of other people too, it bloody showed. The whole crowd screaming the entire song with Clint was something else and my favourite part of the night.  What a band.  

If you have the opportunity to see The Butterfly Effect, don’t miss it.

Bert Kreischer is coming to Australia in 2023 with a brand-new show

Bert Kreischer has become an award-winning entertainment juggernaut and a master of virtually every medium he tackles: standup comedy, TV, podcasts, a memoir and album, and soon his first feature film. In the midst of a global pandemic, he’s been selling out arenas and the legendary Red Rocks Amphitheatre, and earning various comedic accolades from around the world.

Kreischer’s live comedy performances include 2020’s Hot Summer Nights tour of drive-ins and this year’s Fully Loaded Comedy Festival that took Kreischer and his favourite comedians to such open-air venues as minor league baseball parks, a racetrack and amphitheatres. He boasts two of the most-popular comedy podcasts in the world, Bertcast and 2 Bears 1 Cave (with Tom Segura), stars in his own Netflix show The Cabin with Bert Kreischer and hosts the successful The Go Big Show on TBS alongside celebrity judges T-Pain, Rosario Dawson, Jennifer Nettles, and Cody Rhodes, now heading into its third season.

Bert Kreischer 2023 Australian tour

• Melbourne John Cain Arena Friday 21 April
• Adelaide Thebarton Theatre Sunday 23 April
• Perth Riverside Theatre Tuesday 25 April
• Brisbane Convention Centre Friday 28 April
• Saturday Aware Super Theatre Saturday 29 April

Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around the region here.

Three of his four comedy specials are currently streaming on Netflix, The Machine, Secret Time and Hey Big Boy. And he stars in, wrote, and produced his upcoming movie, also The Machine, co-starring Mark Hamill of “Star Wars” fame.

The Machine, a unique story from his true-life experiences on a college study group in Russia when he was mistaken for a Russian mafia boss robbing the train he was on, represents a pivotal shift upward in Kreischer’s career. He wrote the story as a routine after returning home from a disappointing New Year’s Eve gig in Oxnard, CA where no one showed up.

At the time, he enjoyed a busy schedule touring comedy clubs, had chalked up TV credits for Bert the Conqueror and Trip Flip for the Travel Channel, Hurt Bert on FX, and other hosting and acting roles as well showcasing his routine on TV talk shows.

“When I got into this business, everyone followed in lockstep so much: It was get your tight 10 [minutes], get on Conan, get on Letterman, get on ‘The Tonight Show,’ get a development deal, get a commercial…” Kreischer explains. “Even though I did that for a period of time, the second I started listening to my own gut was when I started really succeeding.”

After writing The Machine story, Bert shot himself delivering it, posted it on Facebook, and went to bed. Bert’s wife LeeAnn woke him the next morning to announce that the clip had gone viral, with 22,000 shares. By just a few days later, it had racked up a phenomenal 33 million views, Now, at more than 85 million views and counting, The Machine became the centerpiece of Kreischer’s next comedy special.

The origin of Kreischer’s comedy career is as unique as his distinctive comedic brand of hilarious storytelling and observational humor, delivered shirtless.  The Tampa, FL native first burst into the public eye when Rolling Stone magazine published a major feature article on him in 1997 as the “Number One Partier in the Nation” during his sixth year of college at Florida State University, then rated as the national number one party school. It lit a bulb in Kreischer’s imagination that standup comedy might be the career choice he had yet to make for when he finally left college. And a way to continue his genuine love for partying into adulthood.

In the wake of the article, he first tried standup at, in this case, the aptly-named venue Potbelly’s in Tallahassee: “Afterwards, I called my dad and said, this is what I’m going to do for the rest of my life. I got to be every part of me that I like being and everyone enjoyed it.”

He was offered a morning DJ shift on a local radio station as a result of the show. Instead, he moved to New York City, and at age 26 wrangled his way into both working and honing his act onstage at the seminal Greenwich Village venue the Boston Comedy Club alongside such fellow budding talents as Sarah Silverman, Adam Sandler, Jim Gaffigan, Ed Helms, and other notables.

Since migrating to Los Angeles, where he lives with his wife LeeAnn and their two daughters, Georgia and Ila – all of whom figure in his routines – Kreischer first made his bones on the standup club circuit and appearing on The Late Show with David Letterman, Jimmy Kimmel Live, Conan and Racheal Ray along with acting parts on shows like the acclaimed police drama The Shield. He wrote about his life to date in Life of the Party: Stories of a Perpetual Man-Child, published by St. Martin’s Press, and released the CD Bert Bert Bert.

“Everything about me is trying to be authentically in the moment and of the essence,” he concludes. It’s a realness and sincerity that creates considerable appeal to the masses from a near-countless variety of walks of life. “I just started doing stuff that I found fun. I found enough confidence in myself to go, ‘I got here doing what I wanted and what I loved. I’m just going to do what I love and not let people tell me what I should be doing.’”

Tickets On Sale Friday 28 October 10am. Book at Bohmpresents.com

An 11-course Titanic dining experience is coming to Geelong

Please note: This event has been postponed to 2023. 

Lovers of James Cameron’s 1997 blockbuster are in for a treat with a new dining experience arriving in the Geelong region this November.

Titled ‘The Titanic Dining Experience’, Founders and Co in Lara is hosting a food-fuelled evening that will pull at your heartstrings. On Saturday, November 12 (now postponed), Founder and Co’s renowned chef, Katrina Hunt, will respectfully recreate the final first-class menu aboard the RMS Titanic.

Keep up with the latest food and booze news across the region here.

For one night only, guests can journey back in time to the night of April 14th, 1912, aboard one of the world’s most renowned ships. Expect to be served a delicious 11-course degustation in the ‘first-class dining saloon’, with chef Hunt delivering a modern take on every dish served on the final night in First Class aboard the ship.

For those that don’t wish to do 11 courses, there’s also a sampler ticket option, which will serve up the five marquee dishes on the menu.

With drinks available at bar prices, you’ll also be surrounded by the splendour of first-class dining as themed entertainment is played out.

 

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Whether you love the movie, or the story of Titanic has always captured you, savour an authentic culinary experience based on passenger menus that were put onto a lifeboat on the fateful night in 1912.

More info here. 

Take the leap to find your dream career with Geelong’s free career information day CareerQuest 

When it comes to road-mapping your best-ever career (whatever that might be), it’s easy to feel like you don’t even know where to start. Between the endless fields to choose from, recruiters, rules for writing resumes and the many pathways out there, it can all get a little overwhelming when you’re looking to live your best employment life.

Whether you’re just out of high school or a professional seeking a change, the best thing you can do is keep things simple by utilising those out there that have dedicated their own work lives to help budding professionals take the leap in finding their dream careers. In saying that, it’s clear that knowledge is power when hunting for a new career and events like gforce‘s CareerQuest are key.

Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around the region here. 

Taking place in Geelong (36 Little Myers Street) on Thursday, November 10, CareerQuest is the must-attend event for those looking to take the next successful career step.

Hosted by gforce, Geelong’s employment and recruitment organisation, the event will allow keen career-seekers to hear from industry experts; connect with recruiters, support services, training providers and educators (such as The Gordon); discover apprenticeship pathways; find out how labour hire works; and most importantly; apply for real jobs.

CareerQuest will also offer the opportunity to prepare a hard-hitting resume and profile suitable careers that have the potential to really reflect who you are as a person. After all, because we spend more time at our jobs than with our families and friends, it’s super important that you use your talents and passions to live your best life.

Running from 3pm to 7pm, the best part is the event is completely free, and there’s even complimentary food and drinks so all you have to worry about it showing up and being open to the very real possibility of finding your ideal job, or at the very least, taking the first step towards it. Add in food trucks, entertainment and prizes and it’s going to be one helluva day.

 

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If you’re not familiar with gforce, they’re a local For-Purpose Community Organisation that makes a difference in the lives of people and communities. With roots in Geelong for more than 40 years, the dedicated professionals here seek to assist all jobseekers, participants and employers. They support local business to success through expert employment services; they recruit and on-hires apprentices to host employers; they partner with local schooling providing career advice, support and traineeship opportunities through specific programs; and they provide expert management of on-hired staff when local businesses need short-term casuals.

That’s not all though. gforce also recruits and on-hires trainees to host employers; helps people living with a disability find rewarding employment; supports young people living with a disability to prepare for employment, build experience and achieve their goals; helps parents and carers of young children to prepare for employment; and partners with Jobs Victoria to connect people in our communities to support, training and resources that will assist them in finding employment.

You’re in good hands with gforce.

Book your free ticket to CareerQuest here. 

This article was made in partnership with gforce employment + recruitment. 

Thirsty Merc are bringing their ‘Celebration’ album tour to Bannockburn 

Unquestionably one of Australia’s finest live acts, Thirsty Merc are back on the road for the first time in two years with The Celebration Tour.

Having kicked off back in July, the band have been taking to dates across the country, performing their much-loved hits alongside songs from their fifth album CELEBRATION, the long-awaited follow-up to 2015’s Shifting Gears. The final run of shows will see Thirsty Merc take to the Corner Hotel in Melbourne on December 3 and Bannockburn Railway Hotel in Bannockburn on December 4.

Keep up with the latest music news, festivals, interviews and reviews here.

 

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“It’s been an extremely rewarding experience for us to explore some of the best Aussie songs on the new album. Perhaps the biggest celebration, though, is for all live music fans. After a few crazy years, we’re all still here together. Gigs are back…and we want to be there to help you let your hair down,” says Rai Thistlethwayte, Thirsty Merc.

Celebration sees Thirsty Merc covering some well-known (and some not so well-known) Australian songs from across the decades – each one reimagined in true ‘Merc style. It includes Daryl Braithwaite’s ‘As The Days Go By’, Who Listens To The Radio (The Sports), That’s When I Think of You (1927), Bad Habits (Billy Field) and Hey There, Georgie Girl (The Seekers).

Having released 4 critically acclaimed albums, over 250,000 album sales under their belt, a finalist in the APRA Song of the Year for 20 Good Reasons (which also reached #1 on iTunes in Australia), 5 ARIA Award nominations, Thirsty Merc have found their way into the fabric of Australia’s musical landscape with songs such as Someday Someday, In The Summertime, 20 Good Reasons, Tommy And Krista, and more.

Since 2015 Thirsty Merc have released music as an independent band. They have toured and recorded music consistently during their career.

Ticket information available here. 

Daniel Johns immersive ‘Past, Present & FutureNever’ exhibition in Melbourne has been extended

Silverchair legend Daniel Johns has extended his ‘world first’ immersive exhibition, ‘Past, Present & FutureNever’, in Melbourne due to overwhelming demand.

The ground-breaking art experience landed in Melbourne back in August and was due to finish up on October 9, however will now run until December 23. Exploring the height of ‘90s Australian grunge culture through to Johns’ history-making album ‘FutureNever’, the showcase unlocks the vault of personal memorabilia from the rockstar and introduces an array of experiential exhibits from the future.

Keep up with the latest music news, festivals, interviews and reviews here.

‘Past, Present & FutureNever’ sees Australia’s most innovative record label BMG and award-winning exhibition creators Radio Velvet join forces with pioneering artist Johns to deliver a new experience defying convention and boundaries.

In a takeover of Melbourne’s landmark Rialto skyscraper, the exhibition brings the creative genius of Daniel Johns to life, as his enchanting, and often haunting, vision is explored and curated through not only a treasure trove of memorabilia, but multiple interactive instalments including a custom DeLorean (aka ‘DanieLorean’) transformed by a ‘FutureNever’ soundscape synchronised with projection mapping and an eery live pianola experience.

A host of creative collaborators join feature on this journey, including mega mural artist Adnate with an emotional portrait of Johns looking to the future, yet reflecting on the ‘Frogstomp’ era through his eyes, and in-demand street artist Claire Foxton with a portrayal of a youthful Dan brimming with teen angst as he climbs the ladder in the music industry, along with work from Celeste Mountjoy, George Rose, Travis Price and more.

 

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Alongside news of the extension, Daniel Johns acclaimed second solo album FutureNever has gone back to Number One on the ARIA Albums Chart for a second time this year, smashing the record books and becoming the HIGHEST SELLING 2022 album release by an Australian artist on the ARIA chart.

FutureNever is also the ONLY Australian album to spend 2 weeks at Number One with an all-time record 22-week gap between podium appearances. During its run to date, it has remained a popular constant fixture including three weeks in the Top 3, a month in the Top 5 and six weeks in the Top 10 since release on April 22, 2022. It’s also been in the ARIA Top 20 for a staggering eleven weeks.

“To have FutureNever go to #1 on the ARIA Albums Chart twice in 2022 and spend 6 weeks in the ARIA Top 10 is amazing,” Johns says.

“Thank you to the incredible people who worked on this album with me and a very special thank you to everyone who has listened to FutureNever and helped spread the word. For an album with no singles and no music videos, I’m truly grateful that the music is speaking for itself.”

No other Australian album has dominated the Australian Charts like FutureNever, a feat made even more impressive given Johns has not played a live show and has done minimal traditional press to promote the album.

Instead, Johns has leaned on the unconventional and blazed a new trail, starting with his global smash Spotify original podcast ‘Who Is Daniel Johns?’ which became the biggest Australian podcast of 2021, before building his own immersive art exhibition ‘Past, Present & FutureNever’ and finally announcing a forthcoming ‘grunge sci-fi’ featurette ‘What If The Future Never Happened?’ which will premiere later this year.

“The FutureNever multi-verse has provided me with a vast canvas to create immersive experiences that transcend a traditional release campaign. I wanted to show artists that there was a better way to do it than a desperate chase for a fleeting viral trend. I didn’t ever set out to have a ‘chart hit’ with FutureNever but I thought if I did the opposite of what the traditional music industry said I should do, there might just be something in that.”

See ‘Past, Present & FutureNever’ at Rialto Melbourne (525 Collins Street) with tickets on-sale now here. 

Baby Cool leads NOT OK Motels, a series of flood fundraisers in regional Victoria

Following the cancellation of OK Motels’ upcoming instalment due to the devastating floods that affected the festival’s Charlton home, Baby Cool, the new project from Nice Biscuit co-front woman Grace Cuell, has today added replacement dates to her Victorian co-headline shows alongside Nice Biscuit.

The new shows, dubbed Not OK Motels, will raise funds for Charlton’s incredible community groups who worked tirelessly to ensure the floods were kept at bay.

Not OK Motels 2022

Thurs 27 October
Not OK Motels
The Eastern, Ballarat

Sat 29 October
Not OK Motels
The Bridge, Castlemaine

Keep up with the latest music news, festivals, interviews and reviews here.

 

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Baby Cool and Nice Biscuit will now appear at Not OK Motels on Thursday 27 October at Ballarat’s The Eastern with Enola, and on Saturday 29 October at The Bridge in Castlemaine with Bad Bangs.

“These events will be fundraisers for the incredible community groups in Charlton who banded together to make sure the flooding was kept at bay. They worked so hard, and we’re so proud of them,” OK Motels said.

“Please try and get along to support the artists, and to support the good work done by all the community groups around Regional Aus. We’ll be selling merch too, with all profits going to the Charlton Neighbourhood House.”

These Not OK Motel shows feature alongside Baby Cool and Nice Biscuit’s previously announced Melbourne co-headline show at Howler on Friday 28 October.

Baby Cool’s Victorian shows follow the recent announcement of the brand-new single, the hypnotic folk-psych feast ‘The Sea’, taken from Cuell’s debut record Earthling on the Road to Self Love, released Friday 10 February 2023 via Virgin Music Australia, Bad Vibrations (UK/EU), and Greenway Records/Levitation (US).

Get tickets to Not OK Motels in Ballarat here, and in Castlemaine here. 

‘It’s our heartland’: Goanna on coming home to Geelong to celebrate 40 Years of Spirit Of Place

Chrissy Amphlett, Magic Dirt, King Gizzard & the Wizard Lizard are all major claims to the Geelong talent resume but there is another reptile species on that list that should be perched atop the solid rock.

Born northwest of Warrnambool in the coastal town of Dennington, Shane Howard landed in Geelong to undertake a Bachelor of Education at Deakin University where he would become the first Student Council president. 

This is where the uniquely Geelong story of Goanna begins. 

Keep up with the latest music news, festivals, interviews and reviews here.

After enrolling at Geelong Teachers College, Howard recruited members for a new folk-rock band under the title Ectoplasmic Manifestation. It was through this process that he met Mike Biscan, Richard Griffiths and Rod Hoe, and with a name change in 1977, Ectoplasmic Manifestation was shed and Goanna thrived.

They cut their teeth on the sharp edges of the Great Ocean Road including being part of the Otway Benefit and playing fine Geelong establishments including Eureka Hotel.

“Geelong had an incredible live music scene back in those days. There was so much talent and many bands; great bands like The Trouts and Mike Thomas were just starting up back then. There were bands five or six times a week and we would see Richard Clapton, Midnight Oil, and Cold Chisel all at the Eureka Hotel – Joe Camilleri! It was all happening and it was amazing. 

“Melbourne had a great music scene that everyone flocked to but Geelong had its own unique character. You can’t subtract Geelong and the rock scene of the surf coast and the Otway ranges from the Goanna sound. It was informed by what was happening here,” Howard reminisces.  

“I have a funny story about Eureka Hotel,” Howard explains. 

“We were warming up for a gig there one night and had been working on the initial form of ‘Solid Rock’ and it was the first time we were playing it. There were these two Aboriginal guys at the bar and you could tell they weren’t local. I had been to Uluru at the time and had written the song and Rose [Bygrave] was trying to create a drone to sound like a didgeridoo.

“This guy came up and said “what are you doing”, and Rose explained, and he said “I play didg. I’ll go home and get it”. He went home, got the didg and we ran through it together and that was the first time we played it live with a didg. He came on stage that night at the Eureka Hotel in Geelong, and the crowd erupted – it was electric. The didg through a PA, the first time this song had been heard and it really felt in that moment that our generation was ready for change.”       

Whilst their most significant song, a song that almost didn’t make the cut as a single thanks to label pushback, was written in the dusty red centre about Uluru, the song came to life in Geelong and has since garnered a lasting legacy not only within Australia as a social song of protest and protection, it made its mark globally within First Nations communities. It was also recently celebrated at the 2022 AFL Grand Final with contributions from a supergroup of artists Christine Anu, Emma Donovan, Tasman Keith and William Barton.

 

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As the album that birthed the anthem, Spirit of Place, reaches its 40-year celebration, the Goanna story which has resonated beyond the Geelong confines, makes its way home. The final show of their celebratory tour echoes both their final tour of 1986 at Geelong Arts Centre and their Deakin history. 

On Friday 18 November, Howard and the current Goanna family will close the curtain at Geelong Arts Centre and Deakin University hybrid venue, Costa Hall. It’s further a full circle moment with support coming from local legends, Mick Ryan, and Luke Biscan. Biscan is the son of the Goanna founding guitarist, the late Mike Biscan. 

“We’ll finish back in Geelong because it’s our heartland; it’s where we got our break and it’s where we cut our teeth. Geelong is really central to our story and our identity! We did finish our tour in Geelong in 86 and we got back together to do a benefit for the Bali bombings at Costa Hall so Geelong really is our roots. 

“We’ll come back every time.”

With such a rich history in the Geelong epicentre, it’s time we start the petition to get a Goanna statue or name a laneway after the iconic, trailblazing band.

Goanna brings the Spirit of Place 40th Anniversary Tour to Lighthouse Theatre in Warrnambool/Peek Whurrong on Thursday, October 27 and Friday, October 28, Ulumbarra Theatre in Bendigo/Dja Dja Wurrung on Saturday, November 5, Wendouree Centre For Performing Arts in Ballarat/Wadawurrung on Sunday, November 6, and Costa Hall in Geelong/Wadawurrung on Friday, November 18. 

Tickets to witness their tour and homecoming can be purchased here. 

Carly Rae Jepsen returns to Australia with a headline tour in March 2023

Grammy, Juno and Polaris Prize-nominated singer-songwriter Carly Rae Jepsen will return to Australia in March 2023 to play headline East Coast dates, alongside her appearance at Golden Plains Festival in regional Victoria.

Jepsen will visit Australia for the first time since 2019 when she quickly sold out all shows, delivering performances around the country that were described as ‘pure, relentless joy’ by Junkee, Sydney Morning Herald writing, ’Jepsen’s pure pop puts fans in a frenzy.’

Carly Rae Jepsen The So Nice Australian Tour

• Tuesday, March 7 – ​Enmore Theatre | Sydney, NSW
• Thursday March 9 – The Tivoli | Brisbane, QLD
• Monday March 13 – Forum Melbourne | Melbourne, VIC

Keep up with the latest music news, festivals, interviews and reviews here.

With her infectious single ‘Talking To Yourself’ – the third track from her hugely anticipated just-released new album The Loneliest Time (Interscope Records/Universal Music Australia) – Jepsen returns to synth-tinged sonics. Rolling Stone calls it an ‘upbeat, ’80s-tinged dance-pop anthem’ underpinned by a ‘characteristically addictive bass line and an earworm chorus’ (Consequence).

Earlier this month, she followed up with the sparkling, disco inspired title track – a dynamic duet with renowned singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright. In the accompanying music video, Jepsen and Wainwright travel into a cosmic landscape, complete with a piano, glittering outfits and dance numbers.

Her most introspective body of work to date, The Loneliest Time expands on the emotionally potent song writing and effervescent sound that Jepsen has showcased on past work like 2015’s critically lauded and culture-shaping E*MO*TION.

A major creative milestone for Jepsen, E*MO*TION inspired in-depth analysis from cultural critics and landed on multiple year-end Best Of lists from the likes of Pitchfork, Stereogum, Noisey, NPR, and many more. Released in 2019, her follow-up album Dedicated covered even more musical ground. The Atlantic called the album ‘brilliant’ with its ’godlike bops’. She returned the following May with a gift for her fans: Dedicated Side B, a buoyant set of dance-floor tunes that affirmed her status as pop’s undefeatable ambassador of love.

Come and revel in the pure, feel-good joy of Carly Rae Jepsen, when she returns to Australia in March 2023.

General public tickets go on sale Monday 31 October (11am local time) with Frontier Members pre-sale from Thursday 27 October (11am local time). Find out more here.

Mudhoney are coming to Torquay and Castlemaine as part of 2023 Australian tour

Seminal Seattle four-piece Mudhoney return to Australia in 2023, marking nine years since their last local shows in 2014.

A mammoth odyssey spanning April and May will see them playing headline shows across six states, with a handful of festival dates among them. Locally they’ll perform at the Theatre Royal in Castlemaine on April 28 and the Torquay Hotel on April 29.

Keep up with the latest music news, festivals, interviews and reviews here.

Formed in 1988 following the demise of Mark Arm and Steve Turner’s former band, Green River, Mudhoney have created an enviable career spanning over three decades, thirteen studio albums, five live records, and endless headline shows around the globe. Their provocative debut single ‘Touch Me I’m Sick’ and 1992 hit ‘Suck You Dry’ cemented them as pioneers of the late 80’s early 90’s grunge explosion, with their sound an instrumental foundation of the era.

The band have managed to find time to lay down tracks in the studio this year for their next opus due in 2023, which follows their 2019 EP “Morning in America” (“this is wilder, punkier and even funnier than last time around” – Clash), giving Australian fans the opportunity to hear all of the new and a bunch of the former favourites live.

Year after year, Mudhoney delivers contrarian, politically charged, anti-sentimental musings with their signature skuzz-rock rebellious, underground sound to wake you up, punch you in the gut and put a smile on your face with equal measure.

Mudhoney Tour 2023

FRI 14 Apr The Cooly Coolangatta QLD

SAT 15 Apr The Northern Byron Bay NSW

SUN 16 Apr The Zoo Brisbane QLD

THURS 20 Apr Factory Theatre Sydney NSW

FRI 21 Apr Gumball Festival Bedford NSW

SAT 22 Apr UOW Uni Bar Wollongong NSW

SUN 23 Apr Kambri at ANU Canberra ACT

THURS 27 Apr Corner Hotel Melbourne VIC

FRI 28 Apr Theatre Royal Castlemaine VIC

SAT 29 Apr Torquay Hotel Torquay VIC

SUN 30 Apr Cherry Rock Melbourne VIC

WED 3 May Lion Arts Factory Adelaide SA

THURS 4 May The Rosemount Perth WA

FRI 5 May The River Margaret River WA

You can purchase tickets and find out more here. 

The Vamps are coming to Australia in 2023 for a Greatest Hits tour

With over 6.5 billion streams worldwide and two billion plus YouTube channel views alone, UK pop band The Vamps are coming to Australia in 2023 on their Greatest Hits Tour!

’10 Years Of The Vamps – the Greatest Hits Tour’ will see The Vamps perform all the hits from across the decade that has made them become one of the most loved and celebrated pop bands in the UK and Australia. The 2023 Australian leg of the tour kicks off at the Tivoli Theatre, Brisbane on Wednesday 1 February before heading to the Enmore Theatre, Sydney on Friday 3 February and the Forum, Melbourne on Saturday 4 February.

10 Years Of The Vamps

Wednesday 1 February
​The Tivoli | Brisbane, QLD

Friday 3 November
​Enmore Theatre | Sydney, NSW

Saturday 4 February
​Forum | Melbourne, VIC

Keep up with the latest music news, festivals, interviews and reviews here.

“It’s crazy to think what started in our bedrooms and Tristan’s parent’s garage led to us headlining arenas all around the world. The past 10 years have been an incredible journey but what makes it even more special is that it has felt like a shared one between us and our fans. The Vamps have taken us across all five continents and given us the privilege of playing in front of millions of people. These five albums are chapters in our lives and moments we are hugely proud of,” The Vamps share.

“This last year has been one of reflection for us and as four best friends who’ve had the chance to live out our dreams, we now can’t wait to celebrate these memories with all our awesome fans in Australia, they’ve always been so good to us.”

The band have just released Ten Years Of The Vamps; a special edition fanzine produced as a collaboration between the band and the fans (released via Universal Music available now here). After an overwhelming response from the fans to a band shout out asking for their own personal Vamp’s memories, this collection is something personal between fan and band.

From posting videos in 2012 on YouTube that brought the band together (see some of those early videos here and here) to multiple arena tours and UK number one albums… It’s been a whirlwind decade for The Vamps…

Having toured Australia in 2015, 2016 and 2017, the 2023 tour marks the band’s fourth run of Oz shows and couldn’t be more fitting that they return to celebrate their 10-year anniversary! The Vamps have generated over 6.5 billion streams worldwide (43 million streams in Australia) and have surpassed two billion views on the band’s official YouTube channel alone. They have released five studio albums, two UK #1’s – 2017’s Night & Day (Night Edition) and their latest album (2020) Cherry Blossom – and two UK #2’s – 2014’s Meet the Vamps and 2018’s Night & Day (Day Edition).

With over 60 million monthly streams across all platforms, 10 years of The Vamps hits include, ‘Somebody To You’, ‘All Night’, ‘Better’, ‘Can We Dance’, ‘Would You’, ‘Middle Of The Night’, ‘Just My Type’, ‘Oh Cecilia (Breaking My Heart)’, ‘We Don’t Care’, ‘Another You’ and ‘Wild Heart’.

The Vamps have played global tours and festivals that has seen them play to over two million people, including being the first band to headline The O2 London for five consecutive years. They’ve performed in the US on chat shows like Ellen and Seth Myers and have collaborated with artists from Shawn Mendes to Sigala and Bruno Mars. They’ve also played and shared stages with Sam Smith, Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift, Coldplay amongst others.

Frontier Members presale commences Wednesday 2 November 10am AEDT before the General public on sale Thursday 3 November 10am AEDT.

There’s a Game of Thrones trivia night happening in Geelong tomorrow

Have you watched every episode of “Game of Thrones”… twice?

The blockbuster HBO hit spanned dozens and dozens of important characters, several years, multiple continents, and more twists and turns than anyone could have ever seen coming. While it’s pretty hard to remember every small detail, there are plenty of memorable moments that won’t soon be forgotten.

If you’re a whiz at remembering complex family trees, or you have a great eye for the most iconic visuals, then you’re going to want to sign up for the upcoming Game of Thrones Trivia Night at Murphys in Geelong.

Stay up to date with all the epic events happening in and around the region here.

Hosted by the Questionable Company on Tuesday, October 25 from 7pm, this modern TV phenomenon will be the subject of the latest instalment of their quirky-themed trivia nights at Murphys.

As always with QC’s trivia nights, the trivia will mainly be centred on the fun of it all so you don’t have to be a superfan to have a good time (but let’s be real, it does help!). And the quiz features a super-interactive multimedia show with questions covering the original series and House of the Dragon.

The trivia night is made up of eight playfully themed rounds of accessible trivia that change all the time – so you’ll never play the same trivia twice. And QC’s style of theming breathes new life into regular trivia questions. Oh, and each show runs for around two hours, covering traditional trivia topics in their own unique way.

Best of all, it’s free so all you need to do is round up your team and book a table to prove yourself worthy! Murphy’s trivia fills fast and is often booked out so make sure you book in advance for the chance to play and take home the win. See if you have what it takes to become the King of the North!

You can find Murphy’s at 30 Aberdeen St, Geelong West. Book your spot here. 

Deni Todorovic brings their book ‘Love This For You’ live to the stage in Geelong

Non-binary icon, fashion editor, content creator, activist, creative director, podcast host and now author Deni Todorovic (they/them) is gifting their hometown of Geelong a night to remember with Love This For You live, bringing their new book Love This For You to the stage in an intimate conversation with their audience.

Due for release on November 1, Love This For You is Deni’s guidebook to being your best, most authentic self.

Stay up to date with what’s happening in and around the region here. 

 

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Renowned for their popular Instagram page, Style by Deni, Deni shows their followers what it means to lead a joyous, open-hearted life, but this wisdom has been hard-won. As a queer, non-binary person and as a child of migrants, Deni knows firsthand what it means to exist between worlds and to step into one’s truth. We all grow up in a society that teaches us the rules about how to fit in, but Deni has learnt from a career in fashion that it’s not always a good idea to follow the dress code.

Love This For You takes you on a journey, with the former celebrity stylist and former fashion editor of Cosmopolitan magazine sharing how they’ve learned to live on their own terms. Full of intimate, insightful reflections on everything from family and culture to friendship, dating and career goals, and packed with useful tips, tools and techniques, Love This for You invites you to explore each pillar of your identity in order to start healing and live with great intention.

Inspired by a life changing journey of identity, Dannii Minogue has called the book a “raw and engaging read that makes me want to sparkle even brighter”, while Mia Freedman describes Deni’s journey as “a masterclass in authenticity, spirit and courage”.

Hailed one of the warmest, most captivating voices of our generation (by Shameless Podcast’s Michelle Andrews), carving out their own space on social media to inform, inspire and educate their audience around gender identity, pronouns and self-expression via fashion, leading always with the values of empathy, love and kindness, Deni will bring their heartwarming and eye opening story to the stage in Geelong this November with the Love This For You Live Tour.

From 7:30pm at the Palais Geelong, audiences will hear how Deni navigated and transitioned through life to date as they share their story in hopes of inviting us all to navigate through our life journey with anecdotes and life pillars that we all share at one time or another. The evening promises to inspire us to see the world on many levels in hopes of acceptance and understanding that we are not all the same and through conversation and connection we can move toward a more safer world for all… A world in which we live authentically.

“It’s my honour to kick off the Love This For You Live Tour in my hometown Geelong at the Palais Geelong on Thursday, November 24th,” Deni shares.

“I knew I wanted to extend the message of this book to a live audience in an immersive experience on stage. It’s not a Ted Talk, nor is it necessarily a performance but perhaps somewhere in between.

“It’s a night that I hope will inspire you to start your own journey of living authentically.”

 

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If you’ve ever felt lost, walking through your life with the light switch off, this book – and this live show – is here to guide you into your light. Are you ready to go on your own journey to self-love?

You can purchase tickets here. 

Bendigo Blues and Roots Music Festival returns with 100+ acts for 10th and final edition this November

The countdown is finally on for the festival that sees the humble town of Bendigo embrace upwards of thousands of music lovers and more than 100 acts across more than 40 venues, with the tenth annual Bendigo Blues & Roots Music Festival making its highly-anticipated return in November.

The beloved festival will deliver its four-day program from November 3 – 6 for its postponed tenth edition, which was originally scheduled to take place in November 2020, November 2021, and February 2022. In some bittersweet news for the festival’s return, it will also be its final ever event.

The key takeaways

• Bendigo Blues & Roots Music Festival returns for one last time from 3-6 November 2022
• The festival will feature performances, open mic opportunities, jam sessions and workshops by more than 100 artists in more than 40 venues
• Goanna, Colin Hay, Tex Perkins & Matt Walker, Karen Lee Andrews, The Three Kings feat: Dave Hole and more will perform across the weekend
• Tickets are on sale now

Keep up with the latest music news, festivals, interviews and reviews here.

Proudly supported by Visit Victoria and City of Greater Bendigo, the festival is a predominantly free, grass-roots, community event that gives music fans and community members the opportunity to enjoy world-class music, with a focus on local and independent talent from the blues and roots genres. The festival announced the news of its finale back in July, citing a much-needed break for volunteers as a core reason.

“The dedicated committee and crew who’ve made the event happen each November, outside of pandemic-affected years, since 2011 are in need of a rest, especially after working tirelessly for three years trying to bring the 10th anniversary event to fruition,” a statement from organisers said.

“In that time, 2020 and 2021, even when they couldn’t stage the full-blown festival, which consistently features over 100 acts playing in around 50 venues over a four-day program, the BB&RMF team has still found ways to provide paid work for artists and production crews.

“They may have learned a lot about running online events and keeping connected to their audience in alternative ways since 2019, but the crew is excited to finally be able to stage BB&RMF number 10 in November 2022, for thousands of happy punters, after such a long but unavoidable wait.”

 

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Since its beginnings in 2011, founded by Colin Thompson and a dedicated crew of music lovers, the festival has become synonymous with creating a warm, friendly and artistic vibe amongst patrons, strolling along the street from venue to venue, hearing music from all directions and having so many options, and such amazing talent. This sense of ‘community’ has also evolved between musicians, some of which have played almost every year and others that may have never been to Bendigo before.

For its final event, the four-day festival will again be filled with performances, open mic opportunities, jam sessions and workshops – by more than 100 artists from all over Australia (as well as some internationals) – conducted in over 40 venues throughout the CBD and some surrounding areas. From hotels to street parties, cafes, to carparks and the famed Art Gallery, music will fill the streets in White Hills, Golden Square, Quarry Hill, Long Gully, Eaglehawk, Kangaroo Flat and as far flung as Maldon, uniting the local community and traders while showcasing the Bendigo Arts Precinct, CBD and culture.

With a treasure trove of discovery, the lineup features artists from the original 2020 lineup alongside some new worthy additions. You’ll see sets from the likes of national heroes Goanna, Colin Hay, Tex Perkins & Matt Walker, Karen Lee Andrews, The Three Kings feat: Dave Hole, Geoff Achison & Shane Pacey, Fiona Boyes, Daniel Aaron, 40 Thieves, Georgia Rodgers, The McNaMarr Project, Grim Fawkner, Taylor Sheridan, Hannah Acfield, Bill Barber Trio, Alister Turrill and Leslie D. King & The Trembling Shakes, among many, many others.

On the international front, artists include Tennyson King (CAN) and Chris Jagger & Charlie Hart (UK). Peep the full lineup below.

 

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Regardless of your musical persuasions, the line-up clearly spans a number of genres including everything from blues, jazz, funk, folk, to indie, with some artists performing the festival before, and others making their Bendigo debut.

A highlight will, of course, be the day-long friendly-family centrepiece concert featuring more than a dozen great acts in Bendigo’s picturesque Rosalind Park on Saturday, November 5 2022. The community-focused environment, historic scenery and atmospheric charm of the main concert always attracts a range of music lovers, with punters encouraged to bring along a picnic rug and chairs and enjoy a day lazing in the sun under the leafy 120-year-old trees while discovering your new favourite artist. Great food, local wine, beer and cider are all available to purchase on site too so once you have your spot of the grass, you’ll be set for the rest of the day.

The lineup for the long-awaited 10th festival:

Serving up a jam-packed four days of music, talent, art, community, and fun for the whole family, the festival is a true celebration and reflection of the blues and roots scene in Bendigo, the nation and the world.

Bendigo Blues & Roots Music Festival runs from November 3-6 2022. Further information and tickets for the festival are available here.