The Big Ticket 2015/2016 by Furst Media

ISSUE NO. 9 2015 / 2016

THE B I G

Free

N AT I ONA L F E S T IVAL GUI D E P R E S E N T E D

B Y

PRESENTS

F R E E L I V E S H O W S N AT I O N A L LY For more information: www.coronaextra.com.au/sunsets SUPPORTED BY

@CORONAEXTRA_AU FACEBOOK.COM/CORONAEXTRAAUSTRALIA

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INTRODUCTION In Australia we have many luxuries. Freedom. Sun. Politicians who eat onions whole or break world records for sculling beer. But perhaps our biggest luxury – despite the fact that we live at least a ten-hour flight from anywhere – is the access we have to some simply excellent homegrown and international artistic and musical talent. As another summer festival season fast approaches, it’s exciting to remember the huge variety of festivals on offer year-round that feature everything from best-selling international superstars to that unknown DIY artist from the next town up. At the end of the day, festivals are about celebrating something. And that ‘something’ is unique to every single punter in attendance. And that’s the best thing about festivals –

there truly is something for everyone: young or old, metal or folk, hippy or hipster. The Big Ticket has been put together by a hard-working and talented team and is your comprehensive guide to the myriad of festivals around. It’s not just a list of the goings on over the next year or so, we’ve gotten the lowdown from some of the best festivals to get excited for, some tips and tricks to enhance your festival experience and even some fun and games for the car ride home. I’m hugely excited for the next 12 months of Aussie festivals, and hope you are too. Sam Caldwell

CONTENTS A Day On The Green - pg. 6

Maitreya Festival - pg. 22

6 Tips for a Festival Virgin - pg. 44

Beyond The Valley - pg. 8

Ozfest - pg. 24

6 People You’ll Meet at a Festival -

Earthcore - pg.10

Queenscliff Music Festival - pg. 28

pg. 44

Electric Garden - pg. 12

Rainbow Serpent - pg. 30

Passing the Time - pg. 45

Fairgrounds - pg. 14

Soundwave Festival - pg. 34

Festival Checklist - pg. 46

Parkes Elvis Festival - pg. 14

Vanfest - pg. 36

Global Green Festivals - pg. 46

Lost Paradise - pg. 16

Woodford Folk Festival - pg. 37

Melbourne Music Week - pg. 18

2015/2016 Festival Listings - pg. 38

Furst Media 3 Newton Street Richmond VIC 3121 Ph: (03) 9428 3600 Fax: (03) 9428 3611 www.furstmedia.com.au www.thebigticket.com.au

Editor: Sam Caldwell

Production: Michael Cusack

Advertising Manager: Les White

Editorial Contributor: Julian Douglas

Cover Art & Design: Michael Cusack

Distribution: admin@furstmedia.com.au

The Big Ticket is distributed nationally to locations including music stores, bars, fashion outlets, and general points in every Australian metropolitan area. The Big Ticket is a free publication of Furst Media Pty Ltd. Opinions expressed in The Big Ticket are not necessarily those of the publishers, editors or staff. © 2015 Furst Media Pty Ltd. No part may be reproduced without the consent of the copyright holder.

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INTERNATIONAL

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A DAY ON THE GREEN

WHEN? November 2015 – April 2016 WHERE? 18 different wineries and parks around Australia. WHO? About 30 events happen nationally with artists such as Fleetwood Mac, Paul Kelly, Lucinda Williams, Elton John, Hoodoo Gurus, Sunnyboys, Simply Red. TICKETS? General Admission (BYO picnic) and Reserved Tickets. More details at adayonthegreen.com.au VIP OPTIONS? Upgrade your ticket to include the Garden Bar, a relaxed area with gourmet BBQ, private bar and toilets.

MAKE SURE YOU BRING: Picnic, comfy shoes, sunscreen, rain jacket, friends, good vibes. T H E H I S T O R Y: A Day On The Green started in January 2001, almost 400 events ago. Good food, good wine and great music with friends in some of our most beautiful outdoor locations seemed like a good way to spend a day! THE VIBE: Relaxed early and can escalate quickly… in a good way! The vibe is very artistdependant – a Leonard Cohen or Neil Young show will be very different to a Lionel Richie or Gurus/Femmes/ Sunnyboys show.

WHY SHOULD I BRING MY GRANDMA? So she can drive you home and go to the bar for you. A N A L I E N L A N D S AT Y O U R F E S T I VA L . W H AT D O E S IT REPORT BACK TO ITS OVERLORDS ABOUT HUMANS? The food is good but no one knows how to dance. I F Y O U R F E S T I VA L WA S A N A N I M A L , W H AT W O U L D I T B E ? A chameleon.

Outdoors, Licenced, ATM (some, check before you go)

adayonthegreen.com.au

Indoors, Camping, BYO, 18+ (children must be accompanied), Pets, Markets

@ADayOnTheGreen

facebook.com/adayonthegreen @adayonthegreenofficial

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BE YOND THE VA L L E Y

WHEN? Tuesday December 29 2015 – Friday January 1 2016 WHERE? Lardner Park, VIC. WHO? Anna Lunoe, Benson, Boys Noize, Broadway Sounds, Crooked Colours, Client Liaison, Dividem, Dom Dolla, Doorly, E^St, Feki, Finnebassen, Flight Facilities, George Maple, Hayden James, Ivan Ooze, Jakubi, Jamie xx, Joy., The Jungle Giants, Kingswood, The Kite String Tangle, Last Dinosaurs, Lovebirds, Miami Horror, Nico Ghost, Northeast Party House, Odd Mob, Oliver Dollar, Oscar Key Sung, Porsches, Pusha T, Remi, RL Grime, The Rubens, Running Touch, Sam Feldt, San Cisco, Set Mo, Seth Troxler, Skepta, Snakehips, Spacey Space, Ta-Ku, Tkay Maidza, Totally Enormous Extinct

Dinosaurs, Touch Sensitive, UV Boi. TICKETS? Two day tickets, $320. Visit beyondthevalley.com.au VIP OPTIONS? Our Bell tent and Tipi packages for 2015 give you access to our exclusive lakeside Luxury Camping section! This section features premium shower and toilet facilities, as well as a separate direct entrance to the festival site. In addition to superior amenities, all guests will gain access to a VIP bar and food trucks within the luxury camping section. MAKE SURE YOU BRING: A positive attitude ;). T H E H I S T O R Y: This is second ever Beyond The Valley music festival, and the first ever at Lardner

Outdoors, Indoors, Camping, Licenced, 18+, ATM, Markets BYO, Pets 8

Park. We started last year with a vision to provide a unique camping festival experience that combines the perfect array of musical talent with a boutique festival experience. THE VIBE: Over the three days and nights at Beyond The Valley, you can expect to be taken to a world separated from that which you are used to. With rolling hills and lakeside views, your camping experience will be second to none. The lineup has been perfectly curated from open to close to ensure an aural expansion of the senses – from indie rock to deep house, hip hop to indie pop, we have something for all… not to mention our vast array of craft beers and cocktails, carefully selected food vendors and homegrown market stalls. This is three days like no other.

beyondthevalley.com.au

facebook.com/beyondthevalley @btvfestival

@beyondthevalleyfest W W W.T H E B I G T I C K E T. C O M . A U

BATTLES

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EARTHCORE

WHEN? Thursday November 26 – Monday November 30 2015 WHERE? Pyalong, VIC. The picturesque rolling hills of Pyalong are a short one-hour drive from Melbourne and form the perfect backdrop for a weekend of wonder. WHO? While constantly delivering the biggest names in electronic music and generationinspiring superstars that, earthcore also seeks to bring you the new faces making waves and destroying dance floors all around the world. This year’s lineup includes: Infected Mushroom, AES Dana, Ajja, Alex Stein, Animato, Anklepants, Audiomatic, Captain Hook, Carbon Based Life Forms, Chris Liebing, Coming Soon !!!, D.A.V.E. the Drummer, dotz, Electric Universe, Ferksta, Grouch, Interactive Noise, Kazuma Onishi, Kukan Dub Lagan, Liquid Soul, Liquid Hook, Major 7, Mandragora, Morten Granau, Oskar Offermann, Ott, Outside the Universe, Outsiders, Oxia, Perc & Truss, Pfirter, Phaxe, Pig & Dan, RamizeS, Ranji, RØDHÅD, Sam Paganini, Solar Fields, Sonic Species, Symphonix, Talamasca, Tsuyoshi Suzuki, U-Recken, Vertical Mode, Victor Ruiz, Vini

Vici, X Noize, Zyce, plus over 100 of your favourite local legends over multiple stages! TICKETS? Final release tickets on sale now, $289 + BF or $350 on the gate. The first three releases are sold out. Visit dashtickets.com.au/event/ earthcore2015

epics and an enforced legal layoff couldn’t wash us away. So here we are – the weeping willow, still standing amidst the erosion on the bank.

THE VIBE: earthcore is Australia’s pioneering dance music, lifestyle, culture, arts, festival experience. Set on 1,500 acres of pristine land, a one-hour drive from Melbourne, it features five epic stages VIP OPTIONS? across five days. Think Boutique Camping, For the seasoned rock star, the party princess Worlds Beyond Speakers Forum, Fractured or the decorated veteran ready to Glam it up Reality Art Zone, Yellow Sunshine Chill Out, in style. Glamping is for those who want a Muffplex Cinema, Elemental Planet Lifestyle little more luxury and a little less effort. A “pay City, District 13 Theme Camp Zone, DIY extra” camping solution one step short of a stay Social Calendar, Kinky Karnival Freak Show, at the Hilton. Mind Bending Art Installations, your closest mates and you! T H E H I S T O R Y: Our first parties were attended by a scant few. S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y: It was new black polished chrome and it came At earthcore we have an extensive over the summer like liquid night – crazy new environmental and sustainability program that continues to improve every year. This year’s sound delivered by fringe dwellers that never portended to make money. We did it to explore ground breaking environmental, recycling and waste reduction initiatives include a and host aspects of a culture that we valued, solar lit road, rewards for gold-class clean and in that we lay down some fierce roots. As campers, grab your mates butts for free drinks, it turned out those roots embedded deep into stomp the seeds – where before you arrive the ramping up of Australian party culture. at earthcore, we will sow grass seeds under 22 years on and earthcore is waving at you the dancefloor – and many more. For more across the forest floor. 22 years is a long time; information about earthcore’s many green time enough for those seeded roots to delve initiatives, visit earthcore.com.au/environment. so deep that even the various sagas, sweeping

Outdoors, Indoors, Camping, Licenced, All Ages (minors need to be accompanied), ATM, Markets

earthcore.com.au

Pets

@earthcorefest

facebook.com/earthcoreofficial

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ELECTRIC GARDENS

JOHN DIGWEED

JAMES ZABIELA

FAT B O Y S L I M

WHEN? Saturday January 23 2016 WHERE? Centennial Parklands, Sydney NSW. W H O? Fatboy Slim, John Digweed, James Zabiela, Hernan Cattaneo, Henry Saiz, Nick Warren and many more international DJs to be announced. TICKETS? Second release $110 +BF, third release $120 +BF, third release $140 +BF. Visit electricgardens.com.au. T H E H I S T O R Y: This summer, Sydney is about to experience something very special… for the first time in many years, a new

boutique house music festival is arriving on the edge of the city, and aims to change the way you celebrate your Australia Day weekend. Electric Gardens has been brought together by some of the world’s leading promoters – people who have been behind Europe’s infamous South West Four festival, which sells-out every year and sees 60,000 partying in the heart of London. With over a decade of experience at running large-scale festivals and delivering award winning lineups, you know the team behind Electric Gardens are out to impress in their first year here in Sydney. THE VIBE: Electric Gardens will take place in the lush surrounds of the city’s famous subtropical Centennial Parklands, showcasing some of the biggest names

electricgardens.com.au

Outdoors, Licenced, 18+, ATM Indoors, Camping, BYO, Pets, Markets 12

in electronic music on Australia’s most iconic weekend. A celebration of music, culture and life, our ethos is to provide longer quality sets you can enjoy. This year’s headliner needs no introduction. One of the biggest musical influences in the electronic music scene over the last 20 years, he has defined a generation of music lovers from his legendary 250,000 person Big Beach Boutique event in the UK. Headlining festivals globally (including Rio’s Flamingo Beach) while producing several of the most iconic dance music albums of the last two decades…ladies and gentlemen, Mr Norman Cook AKA Fatboy Slim. Supporting our headliner, we’ve carefully programmed a selection of arguably the finest house and techno DJs across three stages!

facebook.com/electricgardensfestival @EGFestival

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FAIRG ROUNDS WHEN? Saturday December 5 2015

FAT H E R J O H N M I S T Y

R ATATAT

WHERE? Berry, a little south of Sydney on the NSW South Coast. WHO? A selection of the world’s most exciting artists. In alphabetical order: Ben Abraham, C.W. Stoneking, Father John Misty, Jessica Pratt, Le Pie, Meg Mac, Mercury Rev, Methyl Ethel, Ratatat, Royal Headache, the senses where festival-goers can escape Shining Bird, Unknown Mortal Orchestra. the city and discover great music and food, and have a weekend of adventures with TICKETS? their friends and their kids. $125 + booking fee. For more information, visit fairgrounds.com.au. THE VIBE: Fairgrounds’ lineup strides the worlds of MAKE SURE YOU BRING: folk, indie rock, soul and everything in A picnic rug for chilling out… And your between, featuring artists including Father bathing suit. Fairgrounds has a pool! John Misty, Meg Mac, Ratatat, Royal Headache, C.W. Stoneking and more. It’ll T H E H I S T O R Y: be a feast for the senses as artisan food, Fairgrounds is Handsome Tours’ (The an array of boutique beverages, markets, National, Bon Iver, The xx, Asgeir) first movies and music all converge in a melting festival. Created with a slightly older pot of awe-inspiring activities – in one of audience in mind, it will be a carnival for Australia’s most breathtaking regions.

PA R KE S

E LV I S

Outdoors, Indoors, Camping (18+ only), All Ages (minors need to be accompanied), Licenced, ATM, Markets BYO, Pets

fairgrounds.com.au facebook.com/

fairgroundsfestival

@fairgroundsfestival

F E S T I VA L

WHEN? Wednesday January 6 – Sunday January 10 2016 WHERE? Parkes, NSW. WHO? More than 150 events across five days. Ticketed festival events include the brand new EPE endorsed Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest, where visitors will get to see 20 of the best Australian and New Zealander Elvis tribute artists battle it out for a spot in the semi-finals during Elvis Week in Memphis. The ClubsNSW Keno Feature Concert Series will this year see US Elvis tribute artist Donny Edwards perform four action-packed shows. Free festival favourites again on offer include the Northparkes Mines Street Parade, Renewal of Vows ceremony and Elvis Gospel Service. Full program of events can be downloaded on the festival website.

MAKE SURE YOU BRING: Elvis or Priscilla costumes. In 2016 the Festival is celebrating Elvis’s Mexican movie classic, Fun in Acapulco, so be sure to pack a sombrero and maracas.

TICKETS? Parkes Elvis Festival offers a variety of free and ticketed events across five days. For further details visit parkeselvisfestival.com.au.

T H E H I S T O R Y: Parkes Elvis Festival is held each January in Parkes, central New South Wales. The festival is held on the second weekend in January to coincide with Elvis Presley’s birthday. ‘Why an Elvis festival in Parkes?’ You might ask. Well, there are some passionate Elvis fans in Parkes – one local changed his name to Elvis and another local couple operated Gracelands Restaurant for many years. The festival was conceived by these and other passionate community members who recog-

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nised the potential for a fun event. The first festival was held in January 1993. Outdoors, Indoors, Camping, Liceinced (in venues), All Ages, ATM, Markets, Pets BYO

parkeselvisfestival.com.au Parkes Elvis Festival @ParkesElvisFest

@parkeselvisfestival

! t s e f binge t h is s u m m e r! !! in y rt a p e h t p e Ke

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LOST PA R A D I S E

WHEN? Tuesday December 29 – Thursday December 31 2015 WHERE? Glenworth Valley NSW. WHO? Live: Angus & Julia Stone, Jon Hopkins Live, The Jungle Giants, Tkay Maidza, George Maple, Saskwatch, Seekae, Northeast Party House, Crazy P, Touch Sensitive, City Calm Down, The Babe Rainbow, Lime Cordiale, Little Bastard, Steve Smyth, The Lulu Raes, I Know Leopard, Hockey Dad, Bootleg Rascal, Sons Of The East, Hightails, Big White, Ocean Alley, The Sea Gypsies, Polish Club, Burn Antares, Deep South & Down, Tropical Zombie + more to be announced. DJ sets: Jamie xx, Four Tet, Motor City Drum Ensemble, Âme, Ben UFO, Finnebassen, Prosumer, Anna Lunoe, Young Franco, Grizzly, Will Saul, Bjorn Wilke, Goodwill, Pantheon, Color Castle, Phil Smart, Kate

Elsworth, Mikail & Emel Rowe, Francis Xavier, Mo Funk, Motorik Vibe Council, Robbie Lowe, Cassette, Gabby, CO-OP, Sam Roberts, Foreigndub DJs, Mantra Collective, Kali, Valerie Yum, Tristan Case, Mark Craven, Phondupe, Danny La Ru + more to be announced. TICKETS? Third release: $339.90 Young people (11 – 17 years old): $174.90 Children (under 11): $11 Car Park: $64.90 RV Pass: $141.90 All available from lostparadise.com.au/ buy-tickets T H E H I S T O R Y: Lost Paradise Festival was established in 2014 as a place for the most creative and free spirited humans to congregate for three days to celebrate the finer things in life, such as live music, art installations, yoga, food and much more. Just approaching our second year, this is the dream incarnate of festival organizers Simon Beckingham and Wade Cawood.

Outdoors, Camping, Licenced, All Ages, ATM, Markets Indoors, BYO, Pets 16

THE VIBE: Lose your mind dancing to big name DJs at this psychedelic bliss-out/camp-out/ chill-out in Glenworth Valley, where you’re encouraged to get in touch with your innermost weird and wonderful. Punters can spend three days lapping up tunes, meeting kindred spirits, opening mind and body in the yoga tent, and feasting at communal tables hosted by Sydney restaurateurs amongst the tall gumtrees. There will be crowd-funded art installations, spiritual workshops, adventure activities, a refreshing spa and even a circus with a nightly burlesque show. If that’s all a bit too rainbow-print for you, then you’ll be happy to know there are luxury glamping options, so getting back to nature doesn’t have to be synonymous with roughing it. S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y: We have a waste management system put in place to ensure our footprint is as light as the barefoot gypsy queens dancing on the creek-shore.

lostparadise.com.au

facebook.com/LostParadiseAU @lostparadiseAU @lostparadiseau

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MELBOURNE MUSIC WEEK

WHEN? Friday November 13 – Friday November 20 2015 WHERE? Over 40 locations in Melbourne city. WHO? The Brian Jonestown Massacre, Robert Henke, Gypsy & The Cat, The Harpoons, Dorsal Fins, PVT, Total Giovanni, Dr Dunks. For full program, see melbourne.vic.gov.au/mmw TICKETS? Of the 115 events, more than half are free. Check out melbourne.vic.gov.au/mmw for more details on program and costs and follow #MMW across Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for updates in the lead up to and during MMW 2015.

T H E H I S T O R Y: Melbourne Music Week was launched in 2010 as part of City of Melbourne’s Music Strategy to celebrate and support our city’s thriving music scene. MMW celebrates creativity and diversity through music and music-related events, facilitating growth in creative enterprises and enhancing Melbourne’s reputation as the music capital of Australia. Partnering with a range of local promoters, venues, labels and businesses, MMW has a unique co-production model that supports and directly works with the local music industry. This year over 75 per cent of the artists performing across MMW are from Victoria. The MMW flagship venue is a key driver of awareness for the event and has been in various city locations including Kubik near the Yarra in 2011, Where?House at the Argus Building in 2012, The Residence in Birrurung Marr in

Outdoors, Indoors, Licenced, 18+, Under 18, ATM (some, check before you go) Camping, BYO, Pets, Markets 18

2013 and Queen Victoria Market in 2014. This year the MMW flagship venue moves to Carlton to the Former Royal Women’s Hospital, now owned and occupied by University of Melbourne. It is a space rich with Melbourne’s history and will host an extensive, varied program to be enjoyed day and night. S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y: City of Melbourne is working with Arup Consultancy to measure the carbon emissions that are produced as a direct result of hosting MMW. Following the event, the City of Melbourne will offset all emissions. For the first time, the 2015 MMW flagship venue will also endeavour to reduce all potential waste and consumption to offer a green and environmentally friendly space.

melbourne.vic.gov.au/mmw facebook.com/melbmusic

@melbmusicweek / #MMW @melbournemusicweek

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Shake your way to...

6–10 JANUARY 2016

TICKE TS ON SA LE NOW

6–10 JANUARY 2016

p arkeselvi sfesti va l. com . au

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M A I T R E YA F E S T I VA L

WHEN? Friday March 11 – Monday March 14 2016 (VIC Labour Day weekend).

MAKE SURE YOU BRING: Bathers! All our dancefloors and waterslides are right next to the lake!

WHERE? Lake Wooroonook, central VIC.

T H E H I S T O R Y: This year is the ten year anniversary edition! A small gathering in the Grampians has turned into a behemoth of art, dance, and crazy cats! A place to explore who you are, who we are together as a community, and the amazing places we can go if we really allow transformation in our lives!

WHO? 60 international guests over four stages of music! Everything electronic from downbeat to banging! TICKETS? There’s a 10,000 person capacity. Visit maitreyafestival.com for more ticketing details. VIP OPTIONS? We are not even announcing the ‘VIP’ musicians at the event, do you really think we would make exclusive areas for you and your mates?

THE VIBE: Shiny happy people everywhere! Backto-back international DJs and musicians thumping it out on Australia’s best sound systems, bass into the bare earth is really something the club experience can’t offer…. drinks in the sun by the lake, amongst the art and gum trees.

Outdoors, Camping, Licenced, All Ages, ATM, Markets Indoors, BYO, Pets 22

S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y: Of course, awareness of the attendees is what we really want to push! Its great for us to put in place systems, but it would be really great if you just put it in the bin! WHY SHOULD I BRING MY GRANDMA? She is elder of the community and her ways and views should be respected! In 2016 we will introduce an ‘elders’ zone’, where the younger members of the festival can seek advice and knowledge of those who been around the sun a few times. A N A L I E N L A N D S AT Y O U R F E S T I VA L . W H AT D O E S IT REPORT BACK TO ITS OVERLORDS ABOUT HUMANS? Aliens have landed at Maitreya Festival since its very beginning! We exchange technology, spice, and share the gift of dancing, which is truly an interdimensional phenomenon!

maitreyafestival.com facebook.com/maitreyafestival @MaitreyaFest

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How To Hit Up Music Festivals On The Cheap Hear it from Australia’s biggest hostel network – YHA Australia’s top tips for every budget festival-goer to catch the bands without breaking the bank. 1. Get early bird tickets Don’t wait till the last minute – many festivals have early bird specials or pre-sales that are significantly discounted. Subscribe to their newsletters and follow them on social media so you can be the first to know when they release them. 2. Work your way in Many festivals rely on volunteers to scan tickets, hand out freebies and clean up, and you probably won’t have to work the entire day either. Check out their websites and apply as early as possible. Note that everyone and their mother will try to volunteer for big festivals like Splendour in the Grass, so choose your battle wisely. 3. Win tickets Wait, people giveaway tickets for FREE? You heard it right. Radio stations and festival sponsors often host competitions to giveaway tickets, and sometimes even an all-expense-paid trip! So scout their websites and social media accounts religiously once the festival is announced and enter everything – you’ve got to be in it to win it. 4. Avoid flying If you’re going to a festival that’s out of town, try getting there by bus or train! An interstate return flight could easily set you back big bucks that you could be spending on festival merch or, let’s be honest, more booze. Coach services like Greyhound has interstate routes, or hire a car with a few friends for a road trip. Just pump your festival playlist on the way to start the party early. YHA Bonus: YHA members get discounts on Greyhound passes and car hire. 5. Stay in hostels It’s cleaner and sometimes cheaper than camping – especially if you don’t already own camping gear and utensils. It’s super fun as people who stay there are likely to be attending the same festival so you can take a Tinder break and actually meet like-minded people IRL. Staying in hostels is obviously also a LOT safer than couchsurfing aka crashing at some random dude’s place who may or may not skin you while you sleep. YHA Bonus: From Field Day to Future, check out which of our 85 hostels is near your favourite festivals.

6. BYO (almost) everything Staying in hostels means you can use the communal kitchen to make breakfast and even pack lunch everyday – if the festival allows outside food and you’re bothered! Otherwise bring something simple like energy bars, nuts or crackers can stretch your budget further, and you won’t have to drink on an empty stomach. 7. Look out for freebies From merch to drinks to VIP passes, festival vendors and sponsors often offer freebies and surprises for festival-goers on the day. Keep an eye out on the venue signage and check social media every few hours to see what’s on offer. Who knows, you might even score a lastminute meet-and-greet with your favourite artist. 8. Bring cash Yes, there will be ATMs onsite, but they are likely to charge you a withdrawal fee. Why pay to access your own money? Hit the ATM before you enter the venue and save that $3 for (half) a beer. This will also help you to set a budget for the day so you don’t come home with a credit card debt because you reeeaally felt like shouting your new mates beer after meeting them for a solid 5 seconds. 9. Use common sense Don’t forget to pack on the sunscreen and stay hydrated throughout the day to avoid getting a heatstroke or anything that will lead to medical costs. Jumping off that makeshift ladder might seem fun at the time, but not so much when you break your leg and get kicked out before Coldplay even comes on. 10. Put down your phone Once you get there, be present, take it all in and enjoy the moment. Watch the show live, not through the screen of your phone! (If you are one of those people who bring iPads to festivals, please see yourself out.) Put the phone down for a minute so you can see Radiohead performing before your very eyes, and that would surely make your ticket worth every dollar.

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OZFEST SETH SENTRY

SAN CISCO

S A S K WAT C H

WHEN? Saturday January 23 – Sunday January 24 2016 WHERE? Miami Tavern (Gold Coast) and Waterfront Hotel (Maroochydore, Sunshine Coast), QLD. WHO? Seth Sentry, San Cisco, Saskwatch, Tired Lion plus more to be announced. TICKETS? $59 Earlybird (till exhausted), $69 general presale, $79 at the gate. Visit moshtix.com. au/ozfest or oz-fest.com.au.

MAKE SURE YOU BRING: A hat and a party mood. T H E H I S T O R Y: This will be Ozfest’s third year running, and second on the Sunshine Coast. The festival is a celebration of trending Australian music, with each year boasting diverse genres that have one thing in common – they know how to party. Each Ozfest aims to bring the best Aussie hip hop, indie pop, rock and alternative bands together in one lineup that will surely resonate as the live soundtrack of the summer. Previous artists include the likes of Birds of Tokyo, The Preatures, Illy, Kingswood, Allday and the Funkoars.

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THE VIBE: Ozfest is all about the experiencing the Aussie summer with the best Aussie music going around. You can expect to get sand between your toes and great music in your ears. With a lot more on offer this year including breakout zones and food trucks, it’s sure to be the summer pop-up festival of choice.

oz-fest.com.au facebook.com/Ozfestqld @ozfest_qld

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NOW! ON SALE

A NEW BEGINNING...

HENRY SAIZ MORE INTERNATIONAL DJ'S TO BE ANNOUNCED...

AUSTRALIA DAY WEEKEND SATURDAY 23 JANUARY 2016 CENTENNIAL PARK SYDNEY ELECTRICGARDENS.COM.AU W W W.T H E B I G T I C K E T. C O M . A U

QUEENSCLIFF MUSIC F E S T I VA L

WHEN? Friday November 27 – Sunday November 29 2015. WHERE? Princess Park, Queenscliff, VIC. WHO? Angus & Julia Stone, Hoodoo Gurus, Kate Miller-Heidke, Paul Dempsey, Lior, Augie March, John Williamson, Melbourne Ska Orchestra, Ron Sexsmith, The California Honeydrops, Trinity Roots, Harts, The Snowdroppers, Cookin’ on 3 Burners ft. Tex Perkins & Stella Angelico, Hollie Smith, L-Fresh the Lion, Kingfisha, Oka, Mustered Courage, Raised by Eagles, Sahara Beck, Tinpan Orange, All Our Exes Live in Texas, plus heaps more. TICKETS? Various prices. Single day and weekend

tickets available. Visit qmf.net.au. VIP OPTIONS? Everyone’s a very important person at the Queenscliff Music Festival. MAKE SURE YOU BRING: Your ticket. Cash for important things like beer and food. Your best mate. The coolest t-shirt in your collection. Speedos to swim at the beach. T H E H I S T O R Y: This is the 19th Queenscliff Music Festival. We’re all about quality Australian music (with the odd international guest), showcased in the picturesque coastal seaside village of Queenscliff, we think good food, beer, wine and laughs are extremely important too.

THE VIBE: QMF is set beside the beach in Queenscliff and connects through to the historical coastal town. Intimate venues with a relaxed atmosphere host an extremely diverse music program with everything from rock to hip hop, country to soul. We like things like no lines, heaps of toilets and showers, craft beer, local wine, yum food trucks, music in cafes and dancing. S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y: We’ve introduced a ban on plastic water bottles, so it’s BYO re-usable drink bottle at the fest.

Outdoors, Indoors, Camping, Licenced, All Ages (minors need to be accompanied), ATM, Markets

qmf.net.au

BYO, Pets

@queensclifffest

facebook.com/queenscliffmusfest

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RAINBOW SERPENT

WHEN? Friday January 22 - Monday January 25 2016

Farebi Jalebi, Hypnagog, Dakini, Lister Cooray, Louis McCoy, JPS, Planet Jumper + heaps more!

WHERE? Lexton, western VIC.

TICKETS? General Presale: $330 +BF, Vehicle Pass: $25.

WHO? International Pretty Lights, John Digweed, Hernan Cattaneo, Ace Ventura, Emancipator, Bluetech, Protonica, Dickster, Ticon, Emok, James Monro, Oliver Schories, Monkey Safari, Secret Cinema, Pachanga Boys, Efdemin, Dasha Rush, [dunkelbunt], Logic Bomb, Atmos, Ed Solo, Stickybuds, Critical Choice, Tripswitch, Jossie Telch, MVMB, Altruism, Materia, Liftshift, Nikki S, JFB, Be Svendsen, Master Margherita, Descroix, Cellojoe. Domestic The Opiuo Band, HMC, Late Nite Tuff Guy, Tornado Wallace, Jamie Stevens, Kasey Taylor, Steve Ward, Luke Porter, The Bombay Royale, Sensient, Interpulse, Terrafractyl, Spoonbill, Boog$, Griff, GMJ, Spacey Space, Andrew Till, Uone, Mista Savona, Mantra, Combat Wombat, 8 Foot Felix, Unseen Dimensions, A Charged Particle, AudioUnit,

MAKE SURE YOU BRING: Water, and refill container. Hat, sunscreen and sunglasses. Warm clothes and spare clothes (conditions at night can be cold). Camping equipment, tent, sleeping bag, tarp and poles for shade. Swimming gear (for short trip to the pool party or visit to the local lake.) Spending money, torch, earplugs. Dancing feet, smile, costumes and anything fun! THE VIBE: If variety is the spice of life and “spice is vital to space travel” (nerdy Dune reference), prepare for a vindaloo-class interstellar experience that will leave you panting for some cucumber raita and reaching for the wetwipes as Rainbow lays down another unbelievable musical program of diverse beats and grooves in 2016. Once again there are well over 100 producers, bands and DJs who will beep,

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twang, thump, wobble and whoosh with such an unequalled level of skill your ears will think they’ve ascended to a higher plain of nirvana. This all occurs across six impeccably sequenced stages with earth shattering sound and mouth-agape décor fitted for your wonderment and solar protection. S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y: The Rainbow culture has always embodied respect for self, others and the land that becomes our playground. By bringing on to site only what you intend to take home, you leave the land beautiful. Our mission at Rainbow is to reuse and recycle as much as we possibly can. We go to immense lengths to minimize landfill. Rain, hail or shine we spend ten hours (or more) per day separating and reclaiming all the good things that would otherwise go to landfill. All cups, bowls and plates from food markets are composted on site and used to grow new trees. Lost pairs of thongs are washed and given to charity while hundreds of cheap, broken and discarded camp chairs are stripped of fabric and the frames given to a local scrap yard. But no matter how hard the festival works to recycle we rely on you to reduce your waste in the first place.

rainbowserpent.net

facebook.com/rainbowHQ @Rainbow_Serpent

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“STILL AT THE TOP OF ITS GAME” – THE INDEPENDENT

THE COMPLETE SEASON 1-5

WITH OVER 24 HOURS OF SPECIAL FEATURES!

OW N IT ON BLU- RAY & DVD NOW TM

Season 1 © 2010 AMC Film Holdings LLC. Season 2 © 2011 AMC Film Holdings LLC. Season 3 © 2013 AMC Film Holdings LLC. Season 4 © 2014 AMC Film Holdings LLC. Season 5 © 2015 AMC Film Holdings LLC. All Rights Reserved. Packaging © Entertainment One Films Australia Pty Ltd 2015.

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M a i t r e ya f e

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st i va l .co m

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S O U N DWAV E F E S T I VA L DISTURBED

WHEN? Brisbane: Saturday January 23 2016 Sydney: Sunday January 24 2016 Melbourne: Tuesday January 26 2016 WHERE? Brisbane Showgrounds, Sydney Olympic Park, Melbourne Showgrounds. WHO? Disturbed, Bring Me The Horizon, The Prodigy, Deftones, NOFX, Bullet For My Valentine, Public Enemy, Refused, Metal Allegiance, Hatebreed, Soulfly, Northlane, Dead Letter Circus, L7, Frnkiero Andthe Cellabration, Nothing But Thieves, Frenzal Rhomb, Failure, Lordi, Devil You Know, Moose Blood, plus more to be announced!

TICKETS? Tickets on sale now from soundwavefestival.com

focus has always been on bringing out the best alternative artists that were never catered for on other events.

MAKE SURE YOU BRING: ID, your ticket, important phone numbers, sun block, any medication you may need, a hat, covered shoes, charged mobile phone, pen, still camera. If you have any chronic conditions or illness (like asthma, diabetes, epilepsy) be sure to carry information regarding your condition and emergency contact number on you at all times.

THE VIBE: Everyone that attends Soundwave has one thing in commonâ&#x20AC;Ś a passion for live music.

T H E H I S T O R Y: Soundwave started in Perth in 2003 as a one-stage event with a handful of international and Australian artists. The

Outdoors, Indoors, Licenced, All Ages, ATM, Markets

soundwavefestival.com

Indoors, Camping, BYO, Pets

@soundwavefest

facebook.com/soundwavefestival

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1 8 –2 1 F E B R U A R Y, 2 0 1 6 YOGA BY ELENA BROWER, ANA FOREST DUNCAN PEAK, JONNI POLLARD CLAUDINE & HONZA LAFOND S WA M I G O V I N D A N A N D A N O E L L E C O N N O L LY, TA H L R I N S K Y

MUSIC BY X AV I E R R U D D & T H E U N I T E D N AT I O N S D U S T I N T H O M A S , M I A PA R I S D J TA Z R A S H I D , T H E T W OK S A R L I L I B E R M A N , S W E AT M I X K I D S DJ R.I.A, WILD MARMALADE

THREDBO ALPINE VILLAGE, NSW 1 – 4 D AY A N D ' M U S I C O N LY ' T I C K E T S AVA I L A B L E N O W L UKSET.TC. O W W W . T H WA EBN I GDTE IRC CM OM.AU

VA N F E S T

JOHN BUTLER TRIO

RUDIMENTAL

WHEN? Friday December 4 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Saturday December 5, 2015 WHERE? Forbes Showground, Forbes, NSW. WHO? Rudimental, Peking Duk, John Butler Trio, Birds of Tokyo, Sticky Fingers, Illy, Sheppard, Kilter, Twin Fires, Bootleg Rascal, Stacie Todd. TICKETS? Starting from $79, visit vanfest.com.au. VIP OPTIONS? Yes. VIP will be a separate ticket. Private bars, private toilets, premium beverage options, complimentary catering, grandstand access, and more.

MAKE SURE YOU BRING: Your party hat. And some sunscreen. T H E H I S T O R Y: Vanfest is in its second year. A boutique music event focusing on unique location, international talent, and overall weekend experience. Not your normal little country town festival. THE VIBE: A regional festival playing host to a huge lineup of Aussie and international heavyweights, you can expect all that of a big city festival: extreme sport activations, VIP bars, a full camping experience, including the luxurious glamping and beanbag lounge areas. Expect to be entertained all weekend.

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S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y: Absolutely. We encourage recycling and a green attitude towards waste management. With a strategic partnership with Destination NSW, we strive on sustainable growth while keeping a boutique experience. A N A L I E N L A N D S AT Y O U R F E S T I VA L . W H AT D O E S IT REPORT BACK TO ITS OVERLORDS ABOUT HUMANS? That even the humans out in the sticks know how to party. I F Y O U R F E S T I VA L WA S A N A N I M A L , W H AT W O U L D I T B E ? A peacock. Sits in the background, but when the time is ready, a spectacular sight comes to life.

vanfest.com.au facebook.com/vanfestofficial @VANFESTOFFICIAL

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WOODFORD FOLK F E S T I VA L

WHEN? Sunday December 27 2015 – Friday January 1 2016 WHERE? Woodfordia: 87 Woodrow Road, Woodford, QLD. Located in between the Brisbane Valley and Queensland’s beautiful Sunshine Coast Hinterland, the Woodford Folk Festival takes place in a rural valley surrounded by natural bushland with plenty of native wildlife and a superb view of the Glass House Mountains from the hilltop above the festival grounds. WHO? More than 2,000 performers and 438 events are programmed, featuring local, national and international guests. TICKETS? Season with camping: adult from $554, youth (age 13 – 17) from $393, child (age

6 – 12) from $25. Day+Night with camping: adult from $137, youth from $96, child from $10. Visit woodfordfolkfestival.com/tickets. MAKE SURE YOU BRING: Hat, sunglasses, raincoat and gumboots! T H E H I S T O R Y: The Woodford Folk Festival, an event of international standing, is held annually over six days and six nights from December 27 through to January 1. This year will be the 30th Woodford Folk Festival, and the 22nd held at Woodfordia. THE VIBE: The festival program features concerts, dances, street theatre, writers’ panels, film festival, comedy sessions, acoustic jams, social dialogue and debate, folk medicine, an entire children’s festival, an environmental program featuring talks,

Outdoors, Indoors, Camping, Licenced, BYO (campground only), All Ages, Markets Pets, ATM

debates and films, art and craft workshops, circus performances and workshops, late night cabarets, parades and special events including a spectacular fire event. The festival is a place you can escape from reality and immerse yourself in cultures from near and far. It is a place where artists inspire, community spirit engulfs and life memories are made. S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y: The festival is held on a 500-acre parkland located on the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, on Jinibara Country, which is just over an hour north of Brisbane. Since the purchase of the land in 1994, over 120,000 trees have been planted to repopulate the property with native species and attract wildlife. Woodfordia is on a journey of continual sustainability from recycling to compost systems to a closed-loop, on site water treatment system and biodegradable cups and cutlery across site.

woodfordfolkfestival.com

facebook.com/woodfordfolkfestival @WoodfordFF

@woodfordfolkfestival W W W.T H E B I G T I C K E T. C O M . A U

2015/2016 F E S T I VA L L I S T I N G S NOVEMBER 2015

Nov 1 – 30 Southern Highlands Arts Festival, Southern Highlands Region NSW Nov 12 – 14 Australasian World Music Expo, Melbourne VIC Nov 13 – 14 Face the Music, Melbourne VIC Nov 13 – 15 Blues at Bridgetown, Bridgetown WA Nov 13 – 15 Phillip Island Jazz Festival, Phillip Island VIC Nov 13 – 20 Melbourne Music Week, Melbourne VIC Nov 14 At First Sight Festival, Sydney NSW Nov 14 – 29 Feast Festival, Adelaide SA Nov 15 Emerald Hill Festival, Melbourne VIC Nov 19 – 22 Mullum Music Festival, Mullumbimby NSW Nov 19 – 29 Brisbane Asia Pacific Film Festival, Brisbane QLD Nov 20 – 21 Clare Valley Carnival of Music, Auburn SA Nov 20 – 22 Majors Creek Festival, Majors Creek NSW Nov 20 – 22 Mountain Grass Bluegrass & Old Time Music Festival, Harrietville VIC Nov 20 – 22 Strawberry Fields Festival, Tocumwal NSW Nov 21 Harbourlife, Sydney NSW Nov 21 – 22 Johnston St Hispanic Fiesta, Melbourne VIC Nov 22 HiFi Days Festival, Sydney NSW Nov 25 – 29 Huntington Estate Music Festival, Mudgee NSW Nov 26 – 29 Oz Manouche Gypsy Jazz Festival, Brisbane QLD Nov 26 –30 Earthcore Festival, Pyalong VIC Nov 27 – 28 Gorgeous Festival, McLaren Vale SA Nov 27 – 29 Queenscliff Music Festival, Queenscliff VIC Nov 27 – 29 Paradise Music Festival, Lake Mountain VIC Nov 29 One Electric Day, Werribee VIC Nov 28 Harvest ‘n’ Graze Festival, Bright VIC Nov 28 Soundscape Festival, Sydney NSW Nov 28 Stereosonic, Sydney NSW Nov 29 Stereosonic, Perth WA

DECEMBER 2015

Dec 4 – 6 National Cherry Festival, Young NSW Dec 4 – 6 Subsonic Music Festival, Barington Tops NSW Dec 4 – 5 Vanfest, Forbes NSW Dec 5 Fairgrounds Festival, Berry NSW Dec 5 One Drop Rankin Riddum Summer Fest, Sydney NSW Dec 5 Stereosonic, Adelaide SA Dec 6 Stereosonic, Brisbane QLD Dec 5 Stereosonic, Melbourne VIC Dec 5 – 6 Torquay Festival, Torquay VIC Dec 6 One Electric Day, Adelaide SA Dec 6 Tropfest, Sydney NSW Dec 11 – 12 Festival of the Sun, Port Macquarie NSW Dec 11 – 13 Meredith Music Festival, Meredith VIC Dec 26 Breakfest, Perth WA Dec 27 – Jan 1 Woodford Folk Festival, Woodfordia QLD

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shaf.com.au awme.com.au facethemusic.org.au bluesatbridgetown.com phillipislandjazzfest.org.au thatsmelbourne.com.au/mmw carriageworks.com.au/events/at-first-sight feast.org.au facebook.com/emeraldhillfestival mullummusicfestival.com brisbaneasiapacificfilmfestival.com hatsincsa.com majorscreekfestival.org mountaingrass.com.au strawberry-fields.com.au facebook.com/harbourlife hispanicfiesta.com.au hifidays.com huntingtonestate.com.au ozmanouche.com earthcore.com.au gorgeousfestival.com.au qmf.net.au paradisemusic.com.au oneelectricday.com.au harvestngraze.com soundscapemusicfestival.com stereosonic.com.au stereosonic.com.au visityoung.com.au subsonicmusic.com.au vanfest.com.au fairgrounds.com.au facebook.com/RankinRiddimReggae stereosonic.com.au stereosonic.com.au stereosonic.com.au onlymelbourne.com.au/torquay-festival oneelectricday.com.au tropfest.com/au fotsun.com mmf.com.au facebook.com/Breakfest woodfordfolkfestival.com

Dec 28 – Jan 1 Falls Music & Arts Festival, Lorne VIC Dec 29 – Jan 1 Falls Music & Arts Festival, Marion Bay TAS Dec 30 – Jan 1 NYE on the Hill, Loch Village VIC Dec 31 Harbour Party, Sydney NSW harbourparty.com Dec 31 – Jan 3 Falls Music & Arts Festival, Byron Bay NSW Dec 31– Jan 3 Gulgong Folk Festival, Gulgong NSW

JANUARY 2016

Jan 1 Field Day, Sydney NSW Jan 1 Spice Ashore, Sydney NSW Jan 1 Let Them Eat Cake, Werribee VIC Jan 1 – 11 Peninsula Summer Music Festival, Mornington VIC Jan 6 – 10 Parkes Elvis Festival, Parkes NSW Jan 7 – 26 Sydney Festival, Sydney NSW Jan 8 – 10 Cygnet Folk Festival, Cygnet TAS Jan 8 – 10 Honk Oz Festival of Street Music, Wollongong NSW Jan 8 – 10 Southbound Music & Camping Festival, Bovell WA Jan 8 – 17 Flickerfest International Short Film Festival, Sydney NSW Jan 9 Melbourne Latin Summer Festival, Melbourne VIC Jan 9 Mossvale Music Festival, Mossvale VIC Jan 9 – 25 Little Darlings Night Owls Kids’ Film Festival, Sydney NSW Jan 10 Fbi SMACS Festival, Sydney NSW Jan 10 So Frenchy So Chic, Melbourne VIC Jan 13 – 18 MOFO, Hobart TAS Jan 14 – 17 Illawarra Folk Festival, Wollongong NSW Jan 15 – 17 Cool Summer Festival, Mt Hotham VIC Jan 15 – 17 Tamar Valley Folk Festival, George Town TAS Jan 15 – 17 Thredbo Blues Festival, Thredbo NSW Jan 15 – 24 Tamworth Country Music Festival, Tamworth NSW Jan 16 So Frenchy So Chic, Sydney NSW Jan 17 – Feb 7 Midsumma Festival, Melbourne VIC Jan 22 – 25 Newstead Live Music Festival, Newstead VIC Jan 22 – 25 Numeralla Folk Festival, Numeralla NSW Jan 22 – 25 Rainbow Serpent Festival, Lexton VIC Jan 22 – 26 Tunarama Festival, Port Lincoln SA Jan 23 Anglesea Music Festival, Anglesea VIC Jan 23 Soundwave Festival, Brisbane QLD Jan 23 Sugar Mountain Summit of Music & Art, Melbourne VIC Jan 24 Soundwave Festival, Sydney NSW Jan 26 Electric Gardens, Sydney NSW Jan 26 Globe to Globe World Music Festival, Melbourne VIC Jan 26 Soundwave Festival, Melbourne VIC Jan 29 – 31 Sydney Latin Festival, Sydney NSW

fallsfestival.com.au fallsfestival.com.au nyeonthehill.com.au fallsfestival.com.au annualgulgongnewyearfolkfestival.com fieldday.sydney recklessrepublic.com/events/nyd-spiceashore letthemeatcakenyd.com.au peninsulafestival.com.au parkeselvisfestival.com.au sydneyfestival.org.au cygnetfolkfestival.org honkfest.org.au southboundfestival.com.au flickerfest.com.au melbournelatinsummerfestival.com lyrebirdartscouncil.com.au darlingquarter.com/nightowls sydneyfestival.org.au/2016/fbismacs sofrenchysochic.com.au mofo.net.au illawarrafolkfestival.com.au coolsummerfestival.com tamarvalleyfolkfestival.com thredbo.com.au/thredboblues www.tcmf.com.au sofrenchysochic.com.au midsumma.org.au newsteadlive.com numeralla.org.au rainbowserpent.net tunarama.net angleseamusicfestival.com.au soundwavefestival.com sugarmountainfestival.com soundwavefestival.com electricgardens.com.au kingston.vic.gov.au/Explore-Kingston/Festivals-and-Events soundwavefestival.com sydneysalsacongress.com.au

FEBRUARY 2016

Feb 4 – 14 MELT Queer Arts & Culture Festival, Brisbane QLD Feb 5 St. Jerome’s Laneway Festival, Adelaide SA Feb 6 St. Jerome’s Laneway Festival, Brisbane QLD Feb 6 – 7 Bungendore Country Muster, Bungendore NSW Feb 6 – 28 Sustainable Living Festival, Melbourne VIC Feb 7 St. Jerome’s Laneway Festival, Sydney NSW Feb 8 – 14 Pause Fest, Melbourne VIC Feb 11 – 14 Australian Blues Music Festival, Goulburn NSW Feb 12 – 14 Adventure Travel Film Festival, Bright VIC

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brisbanepowerhouse.org/festivals lanewayfestival.com lanewayfestival.com bungendorecountrymuster.com.au slf.org.au lanewayfestival.com pausefest.com.au austbluesfestival.laing-entertainment.com.au adventuretravelfilmfestival.com

Feb 12 – 14 National Multicultural Festival, Canberra ACT Feb 12 – 15 Earth Frequency Festival, Ivory’s Rock QLD Feb 12 – Mar 6 Perth International Arts Festival, Perth WA Feb 12 – Mar 14 Adelaide Fringe Festival, Adelaide SA Feb 13 St. Jerome’s Laneway Festival, Melbourne VIC Feb 13 Whittlesea Country Music Festival, Whittlesea VIC Feb 13 – 14 Meatstock, Sydney NSW Feb 14 St Kilda Festival, Melbourne VIC Feb 14 St. Jerome’s Laneway Festival, Fremantle WA Feb 19 – 21 Bruthen Blues & Arts Festival, Bruthen VIC Feb 19 – 21 Riverboats Music Festival, Echuca Moama VIC Feb 19 – Mar 6 Sydney Mardi Gras Festival, Sydney NSW Feb 26 – 28 Cobargo Folk Festival, Cobargo NSW Feb 26 – 28 Frances Folk Gathering, Frances SA Feb 26 – Mar 14 Adelaide Festival of Arts, Adelaide SA Feb 26 – 27 Secret Garden Festival, Sydney NSW Feb 27 Pako Festa, Geelong VIC Feb 27 – Mar 6 Australian Open Of Surfing, Sydney NSW Feb 27 – 28 Tumbafest, Tumbarumba NSW Feb 27 – Mar 20 Brisbane Comedy Festival, Brisbane QLD

MARCH 2016

Mar 1 – 16 Spectrum Now Festival, Sydney NSW Mar 3 – 6 Clipsal 500, Adelaide SA Mar 4 – 7 Nannup Music Festival, Nannup WA Mar 4 – 13 Melbourne Food & Wine Festival, Melbourne VIC Mar 4 – 20 SheppARTon Festival, Shepparton VIC Mar 5 Harvest ‘n’ Graze Festival, Barham VIC Mar 5 – 6 Mordialloc Food, Wine & Music Festival, Mordialloc VIC Mar 7 – 13 Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival, Melbourne VIC Mar 11 – 13 CMC Rocks, Willowbank QLD Mar 11 – 13 Kiama Jazz & Blues Festival, Kiama NSW Mar 11 – 13 Motor City Music Festival, Geelong VIC Mar 11 – 14 Inverloch Jazz Festival, Inverloch VIC Mar 11 – 14 Moomba Festival, Melbourne VIC Mar 11 – 14 Port Fairy Folk Music Festival, Port Fairy VIC Mar 11 – 14 WOMADelaide, Adelaide SA, Mar 11 – 15 Maitreya Festival, Sea Lake VIC Mar 12 – 14 Golden Plains, Meredith VIC Mar 15 – 20 Brunswick Music Festival, Melbourne VIC Mar 17 – 20 Australian Grand Prix, Melbourne VIC Mar 18 – 20 Blue Mountains Music Festival, Katoomba NSW Mar 18 – 20 The Basin Music Festival, The Basin VIC Mar 18 – 20 Yackandandah Folk Festival, Yackandandah VIC Mar 19 Party In The Park, Sydney NSW Mar 23 – Apr 17 Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Melbourne VIC Mar 24 – 28 Byron Bay Bluesfest, Byron Bay NSW Mar 24 – 28 National Folk Festival, Canberra ACT Mar 25 – 31 Confest, Moulamein NSW Mar 31 – 3 Apr The Man from Snowy River Bush Festival, Corryong VIC Mar TBA Burke & Wills Folk Festival, Mia Mia VIC Mar TBA Forth Valley Blues Festival, Forth TAS Mar TBA Hot Sauce & Fiery Foods Festival, Jindivick VIC Mar – Apr TBA Alliance Francaise French Film Festival, Various AUS

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Mar – Apr TBA West Coast Blues & Roots, Fremantle WA

APRIL 2016

Apr 15 – 17 Byron Spirit Festival, Mullumbimby NSW Apr 15 – 17 Fairbridge Festival, Fairbridge WA Apr 15 – 17 Julia Creek Dirt n Dust Festival, Julia Creek QLD Apr 18 – 15 May Sydney Comedy Festival, Sydney NSW Apr 22 – 25 St Albans Folk Festival, St Albans NSW Apr 26 – 15 May Perth Comedy Festival, Perth WA Apr 29 – 1 May Koroit Irish Festival, Koroit VIC Apr 29 – 1 May Mount Beauty Music Festival, Mount Beauty VIC Apr 28 – May 2 Australian Celtic Festival, Glen Innes NSW Apr 29 – 2 May Urban Country Music Festival, Caboolture QLD Apr 29 – 2 May Wintermoon Music Festival, Camerons Pocket QLD April 30 Street Event Festival of the Falling Leaf, Tumut NSW Apr TBA Boogie Festival, Tallarook VIC Apr TBA Bright Autumn Festival, Bright VIC Apr TBA Hyper Festival, Midland WA Apr TBA Ironfest, Lithgow NSW Apr TBA Surfers Paradise, Surfers Paradise QLD Apr – May TBA Groovin the Moo, Various AUS Apr – May TBA Next Wave Festival, Melbourne VIC

M AY 2016

May 6– 8 Generations in Jazz Festival, Mount Gambier SA May 16 – 22 Sydney Writers’ Festival, Sydney NSW May 19 – 22 Blues on Broadbeach, Broadbeach QLD May 21 Bass in the Grass Festival, Darwin NT May 27 – Jun 13 Vivid LIVE, Sydney NSW May TBA Charters Towers Country Music Festival, Charters Towers QLD May TBA Karuah Bluegrass Music Festival, Karuah NSW May TBA Kellybrook Cider Festival, Wonga Park VIC May TBA Merrepen Arts Festival, Nauiyu NT May TBA Penola Coonawarra Arts Festival, Penola/Coonawarra SA May TBA Port Douglas Carnivale, Port Douglas QLD May TBA Pyrmont Festival, Sydney NSW May TBA Redlands Country Music Festival, Thornlands QLD May TBA South Australian Country Music Festival, Riverland Region SA May TBA St Kilda Film Festival, St Kilda VIC May TBA Stonnington Jazz Festival, Melbourne VIC May – Jul TBA Emerge Festival, Melbourne VIC

JUNE 2016

Jun 3 – 5 June Denmark Festival of Voice, Denmark WA Jun 3-6 Top Half Folk Festival, Alice Springs NT Jun 3-12 Melbourne International Jazz Festival, Melbourne VIC Jun 3 – 13 Jun 8 Cooly Rocks On, Coolangatta QLD Jun 8 – 19 Sydney Film Festival, Sydney NSW Jun 9-13 Henry Lawson Festival of the Arts, Grenfell NSW Jun 10 – 12 Barunga Festival, Katherine NT Jun 10-13 National Celtic Festival, Portarlington VIC Jun 10-13 Palm Creek Folk Festival, Mountain View Lake QLD Jun 10-13 Peak Festival, Perisher NSW Jun 10-13 Woodend Winter Arts Festival, Woodend VIC

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Jun 10-25 Adelaide Cabaret Festival, Adelaide SA Jun 15-26 Melbourne Cabaret Festival, Melbourne VIC Jun 18-19 Williamstown Literary Festival, Williamstown VIC Jun 21- 23 Katherine Fringe Festival, Katherine NT Jun 24-26 weekend Kilmore Celtic Festival, Kilmore VIC Jun TBA Kuranda Roots Festival, Kuranda QLD Jun TBA New Beginnings: Refugee Arts and Culture Festival, Sydney NSW Jun TBA Old & Gold Festival, Brunswick Heads NSW Jun TBA Queensland Cabaret Festival, Brisbane QLD

JULY 2016

Jul 1 – 31 The Rocks Aroma Festival, Sydney NSW Jul 9 Camel Cup, Alice Springs NT Jul 15-24 Gertrude Street Projection Festival, Melbourne VIC Jul 17 Beer Can Regatta, Darwin NT Jul 29 – Aug 6 Australian Festival of Chamber Music, Townsville QLD Jul TBA Bello Winter Music Festival, Sydney NSW Jul TBA Bondi Feast, Sydney NSW Jul TBA Cairns Ukelele Festival, Cairns QLD Jul TBA Devonport Jazz in July, Devonport TAS Jul TBA Garma Festival, Darwin NT Jul TBA Noosa Long Weekend Festival, Noosa QLD Jul TBA PigSty In July, Sydney NSW Jul TBA Queensland Music Festival, Various QLD Jul TBA Splendour in the Grass, Byron Bay NSW Jul TBA Walking with Spirits Festival, Malkgulumbu NT Jul – Aug TBA Melbourne International Film Festival, Melbourne VIC Jul – Aug TBA Midwinta Festival, Melbourne VIC

AUGUST 2016

Aug 8 – 9 Greazefest, Melbourne VIC Aug 19-20 Bangalow Music Festival, Bangalow NSW Aug 19-21 Kelly Country Pick, Beechworth VIC Aug 25- Sep 4 Melbourne Writers’ Festival, Melbourne VIC Aug TBA Bellingen Jazz Festival, Bellingen NSW Aug TBA Darwin Festival, Darwin NT Aug TBA Dubbo Jazz Festival, Dubbo NSW Aug TBA Festival of Dangerous Ideas, Sydney NSW Aug TBA Greazefest, Brisbane QLD Aug TBA Gympie Music Muster, Gympie QLD Aug TBA Magnetic Island Jazz Festival, Magnetic Island QLD Aug TBA Redlands Bluegrass Festival, Kindilan QLD Aug TBA SCINEMA Film Festival, Canberra ACT Aug TBA Underbelly Arts Festival, Cockatoo Island NSW Aug TBA Valley Fiesta, Brisbane QLD Aug TBA Village Festival, Yeppoon QLD

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SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2016

Sep 2-3 Birdsville Races, Birdsville QLD Sep 17-18 Gold Coast Folk Music Festival, Nerang QLD Sep 23-25 Folk by the Sea, Kiama NSW Sep 23 – Oct 2 Mildura Country Music Festival, Mildura VIC Sep 25 – Oct 2 Coffs Harbour International Buskers & Comedy Festival, Coffs Harbour NSW Sep 26 Wollombi Music Festival, Wollombi NSW

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birdsvilleraces.com goldcoastfolkfestival.com.au folkbythesea.com.au milduracountrymusic.com.au coffsharbourbuskers.com wollombimusicfestival.com.au

Sep 30- Oct 3 Uranquinty Folk Festival, Uranquinty NSW Sep TBA Alice Desert Festival, Alice Springs NT Sep TBA BIGSOUND, Brisbane QLD Sep TBA Brisbane Festival, Brisbane QLD Sep TBA Bony Mountain Music Festival, Bony Mountain QLD Sep TBA Broken Heel Festival, Sydney NSW Sep TBA DEFQON, Sydney NSW Sep TBA Dress Up Attack Sydney NSW Sep TBA Electro Circus Festival, Sydney NSW Sep TBA Guildford Banjo Jamboree, Guildford VIC Sep TBA Neurum Creek Music Festival, Neurum Creek QLD Sep TBA OutsideIn Festival, Sydney NSW Sep TBA Redland Spring Festival, Cleveland QLD Sep TBA St Albans Writer’s Festival, St Albans NSW Sep TBA Sydney Fringe Festival, Sydney NSW Sep TBA Sydney Underground Film Festival Sep TBA Turning Wave Festival, Yass NSW Sep TBA Wagga Wagga Jazz & Blues Festival, Wagga Wagga NSW Sep TBA Wallaby Creek Festival, Homerule Rainforest QLD Sep TBA Wave Rock Weekender, Wave Rock WA Sep – Oct TBA Melbourne Fringe Festival, Melbourne VIC Oct 14 – 23 Byron Bay International Film Festival, Byron Bay NSW Oct TBA Deniliquin Ute Muster, Deniliquin NSW Oct TBA Black Stump Festival, Appin NSW Oct TBA Burning Seed Festival, Matong State Forest NSW Oct TBA Caloundra Music Festival, Caloundra QLD Oct TBA Darebin Music Feast, Melbourne VIC Oct TBA Dashville Skyline Festival, Sydney NSW Oct TBA Dorrigo Folk & Bluegrass Festival, Dorrigo NSW Oct TBA Fleurieu Folk Festival, Willunga SA Oct TBA Granite Town, Moruya NSW Oct TBA Graphic Festival, Sydney NSW Oct TBA Kangaroo Valley Folk Festival, Kangaroo Valley NSW Oct TBA Listen Out Festival, Various AUS Oct TBA Melbourne Festival, Melbourne VIC Oct TBA Mission Evolve Music Fest, Mission Beach QLD Oct TBA Nanga Music Festival, Dwellingup WA Oct TBA Tablelands Folk Festival, Yungaburra QLD Oct TBA This Is not Art Festival, Newcastle NSW Oct TBA This That, Newcastle NSW Oct TBA Yours & Owls Festival, Sydney NSW Oct – Nov TBA Adelaide Film Festival, Adelaide SA Oct – Nov TBA Fremantle Festival, Fremantle WA Oct – Nov TBA Jamgrass Music Festival, Melbourne VIC Oct – Nov TBA Maldon Folk Festival, Maldon VIC Oct – Nov TBA Wangaratta Jazz & Blues Festival, Wangaratta VIC Nov TBA MTV Beats and Eats Festival, Sydney NSW Nov TBA Big West Festival, Melbourne VIC Nov TBA Bitter & Twisted International Boutique Beer Festival, Maitland NSW Nov TBA Hunters Hill Street Feast, Sydney NSW

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W W W.T H E B I G T I C K E T. C O M . A U

6 T I P S FO R A F E S T I VA L V I R G I N These tips come from both old hands and festival-goers who recently popped their cherry. Festivals are

fun and exciting things – but what’s most important is looking out for number one. Here’s some advice:

1. TWO WORDS: WATER. BOTTLE. Maybe three words instead – several water bottles. Yes, there are free water stations. Yes, there are taps. Yes, there is a bar, and yes, a beer does only cost 30c more than a bottle of water. You will still get thirsty. And even if you don’t, you will more than likely get dehydrated. Plus, if you carry and refill a water bottle, you’re saving the use of cups and the potential litter too. 2. IN THE MOSH, YOU’LL GET SQUASHED Mosh pits are fun. Really fun. But (act dependent), they can also be pretty exhausting and occasionally quite brutal. Obviously there’s nothing wrong with getting squashed in the mosh, but don’t feel like you’re missing out by not being right up the front – there’s still a fantastic atmosphere outside of the main crowd. Often your view will be even better lying on the hill at the back.

3. BE COMFORTABLE ALONE It’s not unusual to hopelessly lose your friends at a festival and find yourself a lone camel. It’s at this point that many start searching for their friends – trying to call them despite the lack of reception, running around frantically trying to find them or even retreating back to the campsite. There’s no need for this stress. Enjoy the music. Make some short-term friends. You’ll no doubt run into your companions sooner or later.

4. SEE THE DAYTIME ACTS With so much to do at festivals like exploring the local beach or bushland, checking out the markets or chilling out at the campsite with some new friends, fitting in the daytime acts can sometimes be hard. Try when possible, however - these undiscovered acts get booked for a reason, and you might just find your new favourite act of next year.

5. MARK YOUR CAMPSITE Whether it’s with a flagpole, dirty laundry or fairy lights, marking your campsite will save you potentially hours of stress when you’re tired and want to call it a night. Navigating the cities of tents is hard enough in the daytime, let alone at night (and everyone knows everything looks different at night), you’d be doing everyone in the surrounding area a favour too. 6. KNOW HOW THE BATHROOMS WORK Those outhouse-like portaloos can get pretty gross, but there’s one surefire way of maximising their grossness, and that’s not using them properly. The most common ones involve shovelling a scoop after you poop. A scoop, of course, of the provided sand or woodchips. Stay hygienic guys – nothing will ruin a festival like getting crook.

6 P E O P L E YO U ’ L L M E E T AT A F E S T I VA L 1. THE MUNTER “Everything in moderation,” Aristotle once said. Well not everyone got the memo – there’s always that someone at a festival who’s walking around, falling over themselves or swaying – just a little bit – but can’t seem to stand up straight in the mosh. They’re loving it though, and will always give you a big grin or a wave if you yell out to them. Often munters aren’t even that munted, they just give out that munt vibe. 2. NATURES OWN Some festivals have more than others, but almost every festival has nature hippies of some sort – the kind who will plant themselves in the ground at a hoping to grow into a sunflower, and who is all about nature and good energy. You can normally spot them by their deadlocks, tie-dye clothes, happy pants, or the fact that you can often smell them before you can even spot them.

3. THE BRO No matter how far out of the city you manage to get, the shirts-off, fighteveryone variety (AKA bros) still manage to find their way to you to your festival all too often. They often exist in groups of six-or-more, are the size of a fridge, and will stare you down if you get in the way of their inconsiderate B-line walking patterns. Best to just ignore them… or try an even more remote fest next time. 4. THE EXCEPTIONALLY LARGE GROUP MEMBER From camping or eating together to seeing every set together or holding hands while walking around as one massive pile, the friendship-groupies can’t ever seem to distance themselves from their gigantic core group of 20 people for more than about five minutes. Good for them – though it is hard not to feel left out when you find yourself alone on some small-as d-floor with no one but said group (who are far too intimidating to even try and talk to).

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5. PARENTS There are two types of festival parents: the ones who never stopped going to festivals and bring their kids, and the ones who never started going to festivals except to bring their kids. The former are fun. So are their kids, who are usually too happy to let you join their game of cricket. The latter… well they clearly like their kids a lot if they’re prepared to brave a festival just to supervise their munchkins. Whether they’re into it or not, at least they’re seemingly good parents. 6. FOR THE MUSIC “I’m just here for the music man”. Fair enough, right?. Though what is worrying are the people who say this, but couldn’t even name half the lineup – the sort who feature in all those viral videos of presenters asking about made-up bands at Coachella or whatever. There is some pretty excellent music at festivals… but there’s also just so much other stuff. You have to wonder if anyone truly can be there just for the music.

PASSING THE TIME

Many a-festival will involve a bloody long drive. Part of the fun? Naturally. Though that doesn’t mean ten or more hours wedged between those people you thought you liked doesn’t get tedious or boring. Here’re some ways to pass the time (and maybe even enjoy it). SWEET N SOUR

CARDS AGAINST HUMANITY

Ah cards against humanity. Any time spent playing with these cards is tear-jerkingly hilarious, super offensive and sometimes even strangely insightful. And you can even download it for free on their website cardsagainsthumanity.com. Sadly, it’s difficult for the driver to partake in this one – best bet is having them choose the ‘funniest’ selection each round. And maybe buy them a drink or three. THE PICNIC GAME

Basically, you say “I am going to a picnic and I’m taking ________”. Except that the object conforms to a rule that you yourself have chosen. The others guess what the rule is by asking if they can bring certain items to your picnic, and you say Y or N based on the rule. e.g. My name’s Sam, I’m bringing a Sandwich – the rule could be that it’s food starting with the first letter of my own name. So Evan couldn’t bring a sandwich

Oldie but a goodie. Something you can do continuously when you’re driving through the sticks. You wave at passers by; pedestrians, people in other cars, anyone really, and you see how they react. You can even come up with a point system – a wave is a point, a car honk is three, a flash or moon is five. Be sure to accommodate anyone else on the road playing the game who waves at you, with an animated response. TRIVIA (NO PHONES!)

1. What is the name of the festival Homer Simpson tours with that features Smashing Pumpkins, Cypress Hill and Sonic Youth? Bonus point: How does Homer respond to the introduction of “Billy Corgan, Smashing Pumpkins”? 2. Which now iconic UK act was booed at Sunbury in 1974? Bonus point: Which UK act headlined Sunbury in 1975? 3. What does a spermologist study? 4. What is the name of the fictional band that protagonist William joins on tour in the 2000 film Almost Famous? Bonus point: Which character shares their name with a Beatles song? Bonus bonus point: Who is the Rolling Stone editor that

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commissions William’s story? 5. Which US rapper was charged with punching a security guard who had stopped him getting on stage at Byron Falls Festival in 2015? 6. Where is Tomorrowland held? Bonus point: The city in which Tomorrowland is held shares its name with a festival in what country? 7. When did the Reading Festival find its permanent home in Reading? 8. In season 2 of Rick and Morty , Rick sings “Get Schwifty” in order to save Earth. When he fails, which US rapper (who turns out to be an alien) saves us from doom? 9. When was the first ever Australian Wooden Boat Festival? 10. At which festival did Kanye West sing Bohemian Rhapsody?

Answers 1. Hullabalooza; “Homer Simpson, smiling politely” 2. Queen, Deep Purple 3. Trivia or seeds 4. Stillwater; Penny Lane; Ben Fong-Torres 5. Joey Bada$$ 6. Boom, Belgium; Portugal 7. 1971 8. Ice T 9. November 1994 10. Glastonbury 2015

but could bring eggplant).

F E S T I VA L

F E S T I VA L G R E E N

CHECKLIST

GUIDE

CLOTHING Warm jacket Gumboots

Sunglasses Hat

Shoes you don’t mind ruining

Clothes you don’t mind ruining Swimmers

Nothing Fluro

Spare Undies

TOILETRIES Deodorant (pretty please everyone)

Toothbrush

Toothpaste

First aid kit

Towel

Pain Killers

Hand Sanitiser

Soap

Condoms

Insect repellent

Sunscreen

Sanitary Products

Toilet paper

EQUIPMENT Tent

Sleeping bag

Spare blankets

Pillow

Inflatable mattress/floor mat

Torch

Solar-powered lights

chairs

Tarpaulin

Esky

Folding table/

Water Bottles

OTHER ESSENTIALS Tickets

Money

Camera

Earplugs

Rubbish bags Phone (+ charger) Raincoat Poncho Spare Batteries

Good Car Music 46

Poncho

Spare Poncho Good Vibes

While some people out there might be looking forward to endless summers and living closer and closer to the ocean, a lot of people these days are doing their bit to make sure they minimise their environmental impact. Punters and promoters alike have a responsibility to make sure their carbon footprints don’t dirty up their beautiful festival surroundings. So what can you do to make sure Mother Earth isn’t wearing your grubby boot-marks?

CARPOOL:

So you’re packing up the car and heading to your favourite festival? Make sure you’re sharing the ride to minimise your impact. It’ll also reduce those long entry queues on the way in. Plus you get to share petrol costs and maybe make some new friends. Win-win.

RE-USE AND RECYCLE:

Like… duh. Every festival should have both rubbish and recycling bins on site (if they don’t, well… boycott?), so there’s no excuse for laziness when it comes to disposing of your empties and waste. Take a water bottle with you and refill it, avoid food/drink options that come with non-recyclables, and be wary of where your ciggie butts, napkins and broken thongs end up. If you are using a plastic cup, take it back to the bar for a refill rather than getting a freshie each time. If you’re at a BYO gig, maybe consider taking spirits and 2L mixers, and re-using your drinking vessel.

GO SOLAR:

There’s a pretty awesome array of lights and other gadgets available these days that are powered by nothing but glorious (and free) sunshine. You can light your campsite (also good to stop people stumbling onto your tent), fan yourself, charge your phone and even chill things.

GO ABOVE AND BEYOND:

We’ve all seen the horrible aftermath left at the end of the night when thousands of people have had their day in the sun, with bottles, cans, trash and discarded onesies strewn far and wide. So why not try to shift the paradigm? It’s not just about finding a bin during the day, it’s about setting an example for all the flatearth denialists out there who think the world is their ashtray. Find a bin and spend 20 minutes grabbing whatever you can find.

AND FINALLY…

If you notice your favourite festival might not be doing its part for the planet, don’t be shy to speak up. It doesn’t take much negative PR for people to clean up their act if they risk losing the almighty dollar. What if there was a carbon offset box you could tick when booking your tickets? What if every festival managed to recycle, re-use or compost all their waste? It’s already happening around the place, but it’s not quite the norm yet. Small voices can inspire big changes.

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