Australian festival-goers have never been more spoilt for choice than they have in 2014, thanks to a steady stream of fresh-faced boutique festivals cropping up where others drop off, there’s guaranteed to be a little bit of something here for every kind of punter.
With the warm weather kicking in and spring-summer festival season fast-approaching, we decided to make a list of the best beach festivals in the country.
Grab some sunscreen, blow up a beach ball, take some notes and get to ready to soak up the sunny vibes with these oceanside festivals.
Stranded Festival
Where? A secret location on Queensland’s South Stradbroke Island
When? Sunday 21st September
Why? So incase you missed it, the team behind Blurst Of Times have given birth to a new music gathering set on an island. Yes, this is an island getaway festival. Appropriately called Stranded, it’s not just a one-off but a series of four boutique festivals which will take place over the course of this spring/summer, offering a new lineup of bands and artists each time. In short, they have your summer sorted. The first one kicks off this Sunday, and it’s not too late for you to get onboard.
Who’s playing? Alison Wonderland, Allday, Client Liaison, SAFIA, Sydney duo Fishing, plus Just A Gent, Paces, Promnite, Young Franco, and Designated.
Tickets & Info: $55+bf from Moshtix, or you can try your luck at winning a double pass as part of our Stranded giveaway here. www.strandedfestival.com
Festival Of The Sun
Where? Sundowner Breakwall Tourist Park, Port Macquarie, NSW
When? 12-13th December
Why? Having confirmed they’ll be celebrating a 10th birthday bash with a superhero theme for this December’s edition, the 2014 Festival Of The Sun (FOTSUN) lineup is equally heroic, pooling together a bulletproof cache of bands for the weekend-long boutique camping and BYO event, all rocking the single FOTSUN stage which means zero clashes. With the perfect size of 3,000 attendees and the ever-desirable BYO rule, FOTSUN is a ripper boutique festival well worth your while.
Who’s playing? Violent Soho, The Jezabels, Shihad, Allday, Dune Rats, Jackie Onassis, The Cairos, Apes, and stacks more.
Tickets & Info: $165+bf from www.fotsun.com.
Sounds Of The Suburbs
Where? Wilbar Lane, Cronulla, Sydney
When? Sunday 28th September
Why? Launched last year to huge success, Sounds Of The Suburbs is back for another spin in 2014. Presented by independent California record label Burger Records, known for their cult following in the underground garage scene, and with 22 bands playing across four stages, the second coming of SotS looks like it’ll tear Wilbar Lane an even bigger one.
Who’s playing? The Beautiful Girls, Antwon (USA), Tomorrow’s Tulips (USA), Wax Witches, Gap Dream (USA), The Babe Rainbow, Step Panther, plus heaps more.
Tickets & Info: $65 from Oztix. www.soundsofthesuburbs.com.au
Follow The Sun
Where? Wigley Reserve, Glenelg, Adelaide SA
When? Sunday 5th Octover
Why? This October sees Adelaide being gifted with Follow The Sun, a brand new one-day boutique event celebrating Australian blues and roots music, taking place at the suitably summery surrounds of beachside suburb Glenelg. Boasting a lineup headlined by Something For Kate’s Paul Dempsey with plenty of our country’s best to back it up, this festival is one you should follow.
Who’s playing? Paul Dempsey, BONJAH, Dallas Frasca, Lyall Moloney, Tom Richardson, Babylon Burning, Ciaram Granger, Voice Of Trees, and more.
Tickets & Info: $56 from Oztix. www.followthesunfestival.com
Rottofest
Where? Rottnest Island, WA
When? 19th – 21st September, 2014
Why? Providing a unique combination of stand-up comedy and live emerging Aussie music, the sixth edition of this weekend long festirval is promising to be its best lineup yet, transforming Rottnest into an island of laughs and tunes (complete with a ferry to get you there from the WA coast). There’s budget ‘music only’ day passes available for the purists, but you’ll want to trump for a full ticket when you scope the humorous half of the lineup. In a time of festivals galore, what makes Rottofest so special is that it’s the perfect festival for music and comedy fans alike
Who’s Playing? Andy Bull, Panama, Lyall Moloney, Bootleg Rascal, Coin Banks, Rainy Day Women, Deja, Woodlock, plus a lineup of comedians including The Dave Chappelle Show’s Donnell Rwalings (aka Ashy Larry), John Safran. Dayne Rathbone, and many more.
Tickets: Day passes from $35 (+b/f). More info and ticket bundles at http://events.ticketbooth.com.au/event/Rottofest2014/
Queenscliff Music Festival
Where? Bellarine Peninsula, Victoria
When? 28-30th November
Why? Regularly pegged as a local favourite, the Queenscliff Music Festival regularly draws huge crowds with its equally large lineups and multi-stage layout located on the coast of the Victorian town, complete with a main stage splayed beneath the iconic lighthouse.
Who’s playing? The Jezabels, Xavier Rudd, The Waifs, Kasey Chambers, The Church, D.D Dumbo, Hiatus Kaiyote, Stonefield, The Bombay Royale, Perfect Tripod.
Entry & Info: You can view the wide range of ticketing options at www.qmf.net.au/festival-tickets
Harbourlife
Where? Mrs Macquarie’s Point, Sydney
When? Saturday 8th November
Why? Organised by Fuzzy, the team behind Listen Out and Field Day, Harbourlife is Sydney’s waterside house music party that makes all the other states froth with jealousy. Returning this year with a star-studded international lineup and with the same stunning venue and electronic-loving crowd, summer-time festivals don’t get much better. Don’t take our word for it – have a look at the video of last year’s festivities and witness the seaside vibes for yourself.
Who’s playing? Kygo, Dusky, Lee Foss, Classixx (DJ set), Miguel Campbell, Thomas Jack, Mark Farina, and more.
Entry & Info: $115+bf from here. www.fuzzy.com.au
