SUMMER in Australia means a lot of things - barbecues, the beach, cricket, blowflies. But it also means music festivals, and no matter what your tastes, you can always find one to suit you.
To help in your choices, here are Musicology's top five festivals to check out this summer.
Technically some of these festivals aren't on during summer but with the cold start we've had to the season, it's not too much to hope we'll have a summer that hangs around, right?
All Tomorrow's Parties
What: ATP began in England in 1999 as an alternative to the massive "corporate'' festivals such as Reading and Glastonbury by focusing on indie, alternative and downright out-there bands. Each festival (many are held each year around the world) is curated by a band or artist. The line-up for this year's Australian debut was handpicked by Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds.
Where: Mt Buller, Victoria.
When: January 9 & 10.
Who: Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, The Saints, Spiritualized, F*** Buttons, Harmonia, The Necks, Laughing Clowns, Robert Forster, James Blood Ulmer, Michael Gira, Primitive Calculators, Afrirampo, Silver Apples, Bridezilla, Rowland S. Howard, The Stabs, Dirty Three (performing Ocean Songs), The Reels, Bill Callahan, Dead Meadow, Psarandonis, Small Knives, Passenger Of Shit, The Holy Sea, Hunter Dienna, Beaches, Hoss, Conway Savage.
Big Day Out
What: One of the biggest festivals in Australasia, the Big Day Out began in Sydney in 1992 when a little band called Nirvana headlined. The one-day event can be exhausting as it forces you to cram a lot of bands into an intense 12 hours or so but it's the best place to see a large number of big-name rock acts at one time.
Where: Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne.
When: Monday, January 26.
Who: Neil Young, Arctic Monkeys, The Living End, The Prodigy, Sneaky Sound System, My Morning Jacket, Pendulum, Bullet For My Valentine, TV On The Radio, Simian Mobile Disco, The Ting Tings, Cut Copy, Cog, Youth Group, The Grates, Birds Of Tokyo, Serj Tankian, Dropkick Murphys, Hot Chip, Died Pretty, Fantomas and more.
Golden Plains
What: This little sister to the Meredith Music Festival is the best one-stage festival around and the only one with an official "no dickheads'' policy. It's the ultimate place to find your new favourite band, meet interesting people and enjoy some drinks in the idyllic Supernatural Amphitheatre. Now in it's third year.
Where: On a farm about 10km west of Meredith, Victoria.
When: March 7-9.
Who: Mogwai, Tony Allen, Gary Numan, Black Mountain, Of Montreal, The Drones, The Church, Dan Deacon, Brant Bjork & The Bros, Old Crow Medicine Show, Jim White & John Doe, Quintron & Miss Pussycat, The Black Seeds, Luluc, You Am I and dozens more to be announced.
Port Fairy Folk Festival
What: Renowned as one of the best festivals in the world, the Folkie is among the most diverse musical experiences you'll ever encounter. With more than 100 bands it's no wonder Port Fairy goes from 3000 people to 30,000 people for this one weekend of the year.
Where: Port Fairy.
When: March 7-10.
Who: Alan Kelly Quartet, Chris While & Julie Matthews, Doug Macleod, Jez Lowe & Kate Bramley, Kane Welch Kaplin, Nano Stern, Old Man Luedecke, Peter Rowan, Preston Reed, Seamus Begley & Jim Murray, Shooglenifty, The Beez, Eric Bogle & John Munro, Lior, John Williamson, My Friend the Chocolate Cake, Mark Seymour, Ross Wilson & The Urban Legends, Scared Weird Little Guys, The Audreys, Tripod, The Waifs, Josh Owen Band, Sally Ford, The Little Stevies, Broderick Smith, Dalriada, The Borderers, Greg Champion, Jordie Lane, The Yearlings, Kutcha Edwards Band, King Marong & Afro Mandinko.
V Festival
What: After many successful years in Britain, Sir Richard Branson's brain child will enjoy its third Aussie birthday this year. Not unlike the Big Day Out, it has the advantage that it's at the BDO's former (and superior) stomping ground.
Where: Melbourne Showgrounds.
When: Saturday, April 4.
Who: The Killers, Snow Patrol, Kaiser Chiefs, Duffy, Elbow, Louis XIV, The Do, Tame Impala, The Temper Trap, Canyons, and more to be announced. Spinal Tap are rumoured to be on the line-up too.
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