The Aireys Inlet Music festival returns to the Surf Coast town in March, with Ella Hooper headlining another cracking line-up of home-grown
talent. It’s a return to the Aireys Festival stage for
Hooper after performing with the RockWiz Orchestra
in 2016. With her crack band, she will be
playing songs from her new album, Small Town
Temple, a paean to her hometown of Violet Town,
as well as Killing Heidi hits.
Ella follows an illustrious list of past headliners
including Hoodoo Gurus, Tash Sultana, Ross
Wilson, Pierce Brothers and Adalita.
The festival, now in its 17th year, draws on the
cream of Geelong and Surf Coast bands this
year, including Rocket Science, Bones and
Jones, Foggy Notion, Immy Owusu, Forever Son,
the Beachniks, Matt Bourke and the Delusional
Drunks, Dear Buffalo and De Porsal.
They will be joined by Sydney country star Andy
Golledge Band, Frankston’s finest rockers the
Belaire Lip Bombs, space disco popsters Zoe Fox
and the Rocket Clocks, all female mariachi group
Queen of Hearts, and boisterous country rockers
Sin City.
Incoming Artistic Director Patrick Donovan said
this year’s line-up was a celebration of local
talent. ‘’We didn’t have to look too far to source
a great line-up,’’ says Donovan, who has been
visiting Aireys for 40 years.
‘’There’s such a wealth of talent from the area.
Whether these musicians still live in the region,
have moved to Melbourne or relocated here for
a sea change, there’s a certain roosty, carefree
surfy sound that washes through many of the
acts.
‘’We’re also thrilled to invite Ella Hooper back –
her great new album is all about longing for her
regional hometown of Violet Town, so she will fit
right in. And we couldn’t resist inviting one of the
rising stars of country, Andy Golledge, to come
down and close the festival on the Sunday.’’
The main stage will once again be located in one
of the State’s best beer gardens at the Aireys pub
(which is ticketed), but once again the festival will
take over the town, with free intimate performances
taking place at gin bars, cafes, hotels and
restaurants around town. The Push’s youth FRee-
ZA stage will showcase the best young acts from
the region at Great Ocean Road Mini Golf on the
Sunday.
Donovan, the former CEO of the state’s music
peak body Music Victoria, said that the event
brings the community together, supports its creatives,
and is a shot in the arm for businesses.
‘’According to credit card data from Spend Map,
there was a $90,000 – or 26% increased spend in
the town compared to a normal March weekend.
Regional music festivals are good for the local
economy and good for the soul, and we’ve deliberately
kept ticket prices low at $60 for the three
days so everyone can join in the fun.’’
For more information: airysinlet.com.au
For media inquiries: Patrick Donovan, 040 777
2657
Tickets: $60 for the weekend through Try Booking:
https://www.trybooking.com/CFWWV
Or $25 on