festival guide
















The surfer mentality of the ‘Endless Summer’ expresses the idea that if one had enough time and money, they could follow the summer - and the surf - around the world. Similarly, the Endless Summer is also a concept dreamt of by music festival-goers the world over since many of the finest festivals occur during the summertime. So now - after some outrageously good line-ups, brilliant performances and shoddy weather this year at Fuji Rock in Japan; Lovebox, Reading and Glastonbury in the UK; Roskilde and Oslo in Europe; and Austin City Limits and Coachella in the United States - it’s the Southern Hemisphere’s turn to party.

Laneway (Album of The Week’s pick of the bunch)
Dates: 21 January – 8 February
Locations: Various laneways in all Australian capital cities
The bill: Girl Talk, Cut Off Your Hands, Four Tet, The Hold Steady, No Age, The John Steel Singers, Pivot, Port O’Brien, Born Ruffians, Hermitude, the Drones, Buraka Som Sistema etc
The wrap up: A fantastic indie festival with a street party vibe, a relaxed crowd and plenty of up-close-and-personal performances - Laneway is AoTW’s pick of the southern hemisphere summer music festivals. There’s room to dance, places to pause for a chat, drink or hot dog, fun randoms wherever you go, and most importantly an emphasis on great music.
Don’t miss: It’s pretty hard to pick one or two standouts from an amazing bill, but at the end of the day make sure you are flinging your sweaty body around to the dance-inducing genius of Girl Talk.
Avoid: Your ex. As a smaller, more intimate festival, the chances of bumping into a former flame is dramatically increased.
Keep an eye out for more info on this great little festival including interviews, reviews and photos.

laneway festival

Big Day Out
Dates: 16 January – 1 February 2009
Locations: Auckland, Gold Coast, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth
The bill: Neil Young, Arctic Monkeys, Prodigy, My Morning Jacket, TV on the Radio, Simian Mobile Disco, Sparkadia, Lupe Fiasco, Hot Chip, Little Red, Z-Trip, Black Kids, Eddy Current Supression Ring etc
The wrap up: This is without a doubt the biggest, hottest, sweatiest festival in the summer line up and is a rite of passage for many young festival goers. BDO attracts a crowd that is as large and diverse as the bill – so prepare to be smashed by overenthusiastic moshers, pushed by aggressive drunk people, hugged by complete strangers, and surrounded by strange groups of fairies, people painted in green, stilt-walkers, people in lab coats or hospital scrubs, etc. With Neil Young headlining and the Prodigy coming out of hiding, there should be a resurgence of a few older punters this year.
Don’t miss: TV on the Radio – With three amazing albums and an incredibly energetic, atmospheric and rocking live sound, TVOTR are guaranteed to provide an unmissable performance. Black Kids – without the overly slick polish of album production, their set should be a dance-fest of raw, fun indie pop. And – of course – the legendary Neil Young doing a 90 minute set. You lucky devils.
Avoid: The human Sling Shot ride. Trust me.
big day out

Good Vibrations
Dates: 14 – 22 February 2009
Locations: Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast, Perth
The bill: Fatboy Slim, the Presets, The Roots, The Pharcyde, Chromeo, Yelle, Q Tip etc
The wrap up: This is definitely a dance party so be prepared for lots of kids on ecstasy. You’ve been warned. There does seem to be a (dare I say it) ‘good vibe’ about this festival with a crowd that isn’t overly unfashionable, aggressive or violent (probably because of all the ecstasy). Fatboy Slim is at the top of the bill, but the Presets will be riding high off the back of a massive year and are guaranteed a killer show and a massive crowd. Old school hip hop fans will be wetting their pants at the prospect of seeing the original line up of The Pharcyde perform a set of classics live, and a performance by legendary Tribe Called Quest founder, Q-Tip.
Don’t miss: The Roots - It’s hard to top The Roots live. If you haven’t seen them, this is a must. Chromeo – this electrofunk outfit make music that is outrageously good to dance to, and they won’t have nearly as big a crowd as they deserve – perfect if you want space to do the Worm.
Avoid: The Presets – if you aren’t keen on getting crushed by a massive crowd of dancing, sweating people have the time of their lives (on ecstasy).
good vibrations

Meredith
Dates: 12, 13 & 14 December 2008 (yes – we realise it’s over)
Locations: Meredith, Victoria
The bill: Mgmt, Little Red, Holy Fuck, Man Man, The Mountain Goats, Beaches, Tame Impala, Architecture in Helsinki, Regurgitator, Adam Green, etc
The wrap up: Nestled in a natural amphitheatre in the Australian bushland on a private farm, Meredith is one of the most scenic festivals on earth. A proudly non-commercial affair, Meredith is BYO booze, completely sponsor-free, and always features a sterling line up of some of the best independent music in the world and a very appreciative crowd.
Don’t miss: Holy Fuck – There first tour of Australia is bound to be memorable – especially considering the ample hype their live shows have been receiving from raving critics everywhere.
Avoid: Littering. People are generous enough to give their farm to you for a weekend of magic – treat it well!
meredith music festival

V Festival
Dates: 28 March – 5 April 2009
Locations: Sydney, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Perth
The bill: Elbow, Snow Patrol, The Killers, Duffy, The Do, Tame Impala, Kaiser Chiefs, Canyons
The wrap up: From its origins in England over a decade ago, V Festival made its way to the other side of the world two years ago and impressed crowds with a diverse bill that combines mainstream acts, cutting edge indie performances and music legends. While the festival has been noted for being pretty commercial in comparison to other festivals (e.g. sponsor logos glued to every surface), V has a relaxing, non-threatening vibe and it is superbly organised.
Don’t miss: Elbow – a blissful live sound, the recipients of the 2009 Mercury Prize and an endorsement by Radiohead... Need I go on? Tame Impala – young Australian lads serve up swampy psychedelic 70s rock and have been touted as a very exciting live act. Duffy – mix up your day with some classy vocals from England’s much cleaner soul darling.
Avoid: falling victim to onsite marketing ploys for the many subdivisions of the Virgin brand
v festival



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