The land Down Under also moonlights as a great destination for music festivals. With its summer season just kicking in, the continent has some fantastic and out of the box festivals lined up for you.
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Here’s The Sherp’s hand-picked list of his favourite festivals in Australia:
1. Stereosonic – Brisbane, Sydney, Adelaide, Melbourne, Perth (November)
As the largest festival in the southern hemisphere, Stereosonic took it a step further this year by revealing a massive roster for their 5 city mega event. Calvin Harris, Tiesto, andΒ SkrillexΒ are among the huge names at the topΒ ofΒ this yearβs bill.Β The 5 cities (including Sydney) will be treated to sets and performances from the likes ofΒ Carl Cox,Β Ferry Corsten,Β Laidback Luke,Β Cosmic Gate, homegrown heroesΒ Peking Duk,Β Porter Robinson,Β Nina Las VegasΒ and many, many more.
2. Southbound – Busselton, Australia (January)
Southbound is Australia’s quintessential indie summer fest along with camping, cultural arts and everything. This annual festival is held every January in the beautiful and carefree Southern Australian town of Busselton. If you’re looking to get away from the city and are up for a road trip, this festival is perfect for you. As for the line-up, this years is the best we’ve seen with bands like Alt-J, Glass Animals, Cold War Kids, Jagwar Ma, Jamie XX & John Butler trio among the many performing.
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(Image Courtesy : Daniel Grant)
3. The Falls Music Festival – Victoria, Tasmania, New South Wales ( December to January)
This three-city touring festival has a lot to offer for those interested in discovering new acts from Australia and around the world. It’s the perfect festival to unwind at and makes some new buddies or even catch up with your old ones. Apart from a line-up that boasts of the best indie talent, there is also an interesting line up of comedy acts to look out for.
4.Β Sugar Mountain – Melbourne (January)
Australiaβs progressive music and arts festival is back with a huge line up of experimental Aussie and international acts pushing the boundaries of hip hop, R&B, rock, punk, electronica and pop.Β After three years atΒ The Forum,Β Sugar MountainΒ will hitΒ Melbourneβs VCA (Victorian College of the Arts)Β in January next year, expanding to include five stages, inside and out.Β Organizers have announced the line-up which features a diverse range of bands and artistes, including a headlining spot from hip-hop legendΒ Nas, whoβll be performing his classic albumΒ IllmaticΒ in full, as well asΒ Ariel Pink, Body/Head, ODESZA, Swans, and more.
5. Field Day – Sydney (January)
Field Day is Sydney’s biggest and longest running New Year festival. Rescuing new years since 2002, it’s the NICE way to do new years in the city! From the team thatΒ brings you some of Australiaβs best music events, including Listen Out, Harbourlife, Shore Thing and Parklife!
6. Soundwave Festival – All over Australia ( February)
Known as Australia’s major hard rock event, SoundwaveΒ is an annualΒ music festivalΒ held in major cities around Australia. The festival originated inΒ Perth, Western AustraliaΒ and began travelling to the otherΒ Australian capital citiesΒ in 2007. It features a number of international and Australian music acts, from various genres includingΒ rock,Β metalΒ andΒ punk.Β The festival has been headlined byΒ Deftones,Β The Offspring,Β Nine Inch Nails,Β Faith No More,Β Iron Maiden,Β System of a Down,Β Slipknot,Β Green DayΒ andΒ Metallica in the past.
7. Β St Jerome’s Laneway festival – All over Australia ( February)
Laneway Festival 2015 line-up, may just be one of our favourites yet. Expanding over four cities in Australia, Laneway will feature BANKS, Benjamin Booker, Caribou, Connan Mockasin, Future Islands, Jon Hopkins, Lykke Li, Jungle, Little Dragon and SO MUCH MORE!
8. Groovin’ In The Moo – Β All over Australia ( April)
As Australia’s only regional touring festival and incepted in 2007, Groovin In The Moo has gained notoriety in being one of the most eclectic and fun festivals to be at. Team GTM is a festival community dedicated to bringing awesome music to many awesome locations in Australia. Definitely one to scribble into your bucket list.
9. Riverboats Festival – Victoria (February)
The Riverboats Festival, 2015, to be held in the scenic Echuca-Moama, Victoria,Β will feature Sarah Blasko, Dan Sultan and The Whitlams, among many other artistes.Β Australia is home to some mean festivals β be it the multi-cityΒ Big Day Out, the hardstyle gatheringΒ Defqon.1Β or the New Yearβs Eve music meccaΒ Falls Festival. Alongside these biggies, there are several smaller festivals that appear on the calendar. One such fest,Β The Riverboats Festival, is held by the bountifulΒ Murray riverΒ and in aΒ natural amphitheatre. Its laid-back, easy-going vibe, not to mention inexpensive tickets, has made it a popular destination among people looking to spend a relaxing time at a music festival.The three-day event will be held from February 13-15, 2015.
10. Β Beyond The Valley – Victoria ( December)
With luxurious camping being its USP, this new festival has caught our eye with it’s fantastic options and of course, its line-up.Β Ever wanted a jacuzzi, a mini bar, and a massage parlour to go with your boutique music festival camping experience? Well thenΒ Beyond The Valley, theΒ newΒ festivalΒ thatβs launching this New Yearβs Eve atΒ Phillip Island, is the event for you.
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(This article was published in partnership with Airbnb, world’s largest online guide to finding accommodation in 190 countries)
(Cover Picture Photo Credit: Rob Kalmbach /Β Airbnb.com)