If, like most of us, you’re left clueless about what’s to come from the new year approaching our doorstep, we have one thing set in stone for you: The return of Queenscliff’s electrifying By The Pier Festival.
Queenscliff’s newest music festival has unveiled its 2023 lineup. Taking place on March 24 and 25, By The Pier offers an eclectic mix of some of Australia’s favourite musical acts.
By The Pier is an offshoot of the ever-popular Queenscliff Music Festival, happening earlier in November. Offering a more intimate and laid back experience than its elder sister Queenscliff Music Festival, By The Pier consists of a single outdoor stage giving punters the chance to pick their spot in the grass and kick back under the sun, enjoying a vibrant three days of sensational sounds at a picture-perfect beachside venue.
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With their debut last year hosting the likes of Boy & Bear, Vera Blue and Julia Stone, By The Pier instantly landed themselves as a beloved fixture of Victoria’s festival season.
Now entering their second ever iteration, this new festival is riding their wave in full momentum as the 2023 event continues to feature an outstanding variety of Aussie talent, including Thelma Plum, SAFIA, Holy Holy, King Stingray, Slowly Slowly, Big Twisty & The Funknasty, Jacotene, Alice Ivy, Full Flower Moon Band, Felipe Baldomir, Maz Green, Good Sniff, Chook and Moluck DJs. Tickets went on sale last week and are selling like hotcakes, so we recommend getting in quick.
Visitors can enjoy gourmet food trucks, bars and hot local talent while spending their idle hours exploring the gorgeous Bellarine Peninsula. Less than a two-hour drive from metro Melbourne, you can snap up one of Queenscliff’s many hotels, motels or B&Bs and seize the tranquillity of one of Victoria’s sweetest seaside locations.
To help prepare yourself for this wondrous weekend getaway, we’ve outlined some of the unmissable highlights that will be lighting up the stage with brilliant tunes and even better vibes.
Thelma Plum
With this festival’s intention of designing a relaxed and intimate experience, there’s no better pick then Gamilaraay singer-songwriter Thelma Plum.
The release of her debut album Better in Blak in 2019 immediately showcased the indigenous artist’s captivatingly intimate storytelling prowess and strong yet tender singing. Thelma’s recently released double EP When Rosie Met Monsters comprises the performer’s first two EPs, so we’ll be in for a treat at her Queenscliff performance as she’ll no doubt be dusting off the classics that began her soul-stirring career.
The combination of Thelma’s captivatingly heartbreaking and tender songwriting and the serene atmosphere of crisp autumn weather in a sweet seaside town is bound to make for an unforgettable experience.
Slowly Slowly
Melbourne’s indie pop punk faves Slowly Slowly will be creating an unforgettable night, dominating the outdoor festival with soaring blasts of gritty, high-energy tunes.
Unleashed into the wild earlier in November, the trio’s sophomore album ‘Daisy In Chains’ comes equipped with a thrillingly raw vigour and a storm of accelerated, dance-inducing, hard-hitting rhythms that will make you beg to witness the band perform live.
King Stingray
Yoljnu Surf-Rock legends King Stingray will also be making a striking appearance at Queenscliff, delivering their beguilingly energetic and fun grooves to a brilliantly fitting seaside location.
Having released their self-titled debut album earlier this year, King Stingray have hit the ground running with addictive uptempo beats, insanely catchy hooks and an overall irresistibly joyful charm.
By delivering their beguilingly energetic and sunny grooves to the Bellarine Peninsula, the pairing of the band and the location feel like a match made in heaven: you can already imagine the five piece combo ripping up the stage surrounded by open air, green grass and a gorgeous seascape.
Holy Holy
Included amongst the diverse and eclectic range of soundscapes featured in 2023 By The Pier is prized Indie rock duo Holy Holy.
For the past 8 years, Tim Caroll and Oscar Dawson have been dishing out track after track, exploring a variety of genres while maintaining their irresistible authentic charm and style.
As their latest album ‘Hello My Beautiful World’ sees the pair delve into an enthralling synth-pop infused soundscape, By The Pier is going to be spectacular moment to witness Holy Holy live as infectious, pulsating rhythms melded with Carroll’s gentle, mesmeric vocals will summon a one-of-a-kind festival experience.
Safia
Also joining By The Pier’s Saturday night will be Canberra’s esteemed electronica pop trio Safia who have returned with new music and the promise of more to come after a three-year hiatus.
Their latest track Falling Down comes compact with ethereal harmonies and alluringly slinking beats, By The Pier is going to be a treat for both fans and newcomers of Safia as the trio will be delighting us with their age-old classics and previews for what’s in the works, sweeping over the festival goers with their uniquely immersive and transcendent soundscape.
It all takes place from March 24-25 2023 at the same location as Queenscliff music festival.
Find more info, suss the FAQs and grab tickets before they sell out right here.
This article was made in partnership with By The Pier.
