Everyone’s favourite affordable coastal music festival is back in 2025 bigger and better than ever.
For it’s 19th year, a unique and diverse blend of acts will perform over three days, set around the stunning coastal hamlet – all for just $80.
Plus, after a hiatus of nearly a decade, iconic local band The Vasco Era is back, bringing both their classic hits and fresh new tracks to the stage at this year’s Airey’s Inlet Music Festival.
The band, known for their raw, bluesy rock sound, has been in the studio crafting new music, with an album currently in the mixing stages. We chatted to bassist Ted O’Neil ahead of the well-loved local festival, coming up this March.
Airey’s Inlet Music Festival
- When: 14-16 March
- Where: Multiple venues around town
Keep up with the latest music news, festivals, interviews and reviews here.
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“We’ve had around 10 years off. Our last album was in 2011, and we toured with that before taking a break. In the last four or five years, we’ve only done a couple of shows, but this will be the first gig where we bring out new stuff. We’re in the process of finishing up mixing an album at the moment,” O’Neil says.
The band’s return to music has been a natural progression. Ted and drummer Fitzy have been performing in a local band together, while vocalist Sid has ventured into solo work. After reconnecting, they decided to return to their roots with The Vasco Era. “It all fell into place when we caught up and thought it would be fun to make music with Vasco again,” Ted says.
The forthcoming album promises to deliver the same energy and intensity The Vasco Era fans know and love, but with new elements added to the mix. “The album has a lot of raw, bluesy rock—the loud and brash sound we’re known for—but we’ve also added some quieter moments,” O’Neil reveals.
“The album will be split into two parts that we’re calling ‘yelling and crying’, with ballads that show a new side of the band. Fitzy, who studied orchestral percussion at Melbourne Uni, has contributed his skills, even arranging string parts that were recorded with members of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra”.
Although the album includes some synth elements and a bit of an experimental edge, it remains very much in line with the band’s wild, unpredictable sound. “It’s a big mix of things, but it still has all the Vasco wildness to it,” O’Neil says.
While the band won’t be embarking on extensive tours like they did in their earlier years—due to family and work commitments—they are planning to play more shows and remain a regular presence in the local music scene. “We won’t be touring like we did back in the day, but we’ll definitely play more shows. We’ll see how our bodies hold up jumping around like idiots,” O’Neil laughs.
As locals who grew up in Apollo Bay, the band has a deep connection to coastal festivals, and Ted stresses the importance of events like the Airey’s Inlet Music Festival.
Festival line-up
- Kutcha Edwards
- CW Stoneking
- Queenie
- Hana & Jessie Lee’s Bad Habits
- Owelu Dreamhouse
- The Counterfeit
- Cool Out Sun
- The Casanovas
- Ben Mastwyk & His Millions.
The Vasco Era are bringing back their high energy coastal mayhem, while other regional artists such as Insufficient Funds, The Repores, and The Reef Rats will keep the energy high.
Melbourne’s best roots reggae band King Canoe weave the dreams, while BABBA bring out the memories. Airey’s Inlet Music Festival also have Tendrils (featuring Joel Silbersher and Charlie Owen) in a major coup.
“Growing up, the music festival in Apollo Bay was so important in shaping us. We played our first gig there at 14, and they gave us a lot of opportunities to develop as musicians. Coastal festivals are vital not only for bringing amazing artists into town, but also for giving younger creative people in the area a chance to experience what’s possible and develop their own sound.”
The Airey’s Inlet Music Festival, with its laid-back atmosphere and focus on local talent, is the perfect backdrop for The Vasco Era’s return to the stage. “Airey’s is an awesome, fun festival. We think people will really enjoy it,” Tim says. Fans can expect a high-energy set, blending the best of Vasco Era’s past with exciting new material.
With the band now based in Torquay, Geelong, and Castlemaine, the local music scene remains close to their hearts, and the upcoming performance at Airey’s Inlet is sure to be a highlight of the festival.
Don’t miss your chance to see Vasco Era in action as they return to the stage and celebrate their music’s evolution at this year’s festival. Block out March 14-16th, and soak up the magic.
