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It's a big weekend for music across the Illawarra with three days of major acts, as the state moves into a change of rules for music festivals.
New "user pays" security - including extra police, paramedics and doctors - need to be on site for festivals classified as "high risk". Last week the NSW Government named their 14 targeted festivals, none being on the South Coast.
Like other big events, officers from Wollongong Police District will still be out in force in the CBD on Friday and Saturday to curb anti-social behaviour.
The sudden change in regulations has been the NSW Government's reaction to several drug related deaths at festivals, though one musician performing this weekend believes he has the ultimate solution.
"I would like to see a time where we don't have to take substances to have a good time," Chocolate Starfish frontman Adam Thompson said.
Thompson acknowledged his view was "a little Utopian" and it was an individual's choice, but wanted to see people get a natural high from the festival experience and not feel the need to enhance it.
"I perform absolutely, crazily straight every single time I go on stage and cops have been convinced I’ve been on something," the singer said.
"I’ve been drug tested - even back in the ‘90s - because of my wide eyes and the way I do it, and I’m as clean as a whistle."
Friday will see electronic dance music aficionados Rufus Du Sol play to a sell out crowd at Wollongong's MacCabe Park, with special guests Cassian and Lastlings. While the crowd will push 3000 this event was not classed as a music festival and was exempt from the new licensing.
The stage and portable toilets will remain for Saturday's Farmer and the Owl Festival which will boast 57 boutique artists at the same venue and a crowd of similar proportions.
Windang surf-pop duo Hockey Dad and Beach House will headline, with a slew of local musicians mixed in with national and international names.
On Sunday, the attention turns to Kiama Showgrounds for the Red Hot Summer Tour presented by Regional Touring. It's headlined by Suzi Quatro who is accompanied by rock legends The Angels, Baby Animals, Chocolate Starfish, The Screaming Jets, Jon Stevens and Moving Pictures.
Organisers of both Saturday's and Sunday's events were originally told by authorities the new regulations would apply to them. Though the tables turned last Friday when both were notified their original licensing would be reinstated.
Rufus Du Sol and guests, MacCabe Park Wollongong, Friday SOLD OUT
Famer and the Owl Festival, MacCabe Park Wollongong, Saturday, tickets via www.moshtix.com.au
Red Hot Summer Tour, Kiama Showgrounds, Sunday, tickets via www.ticketmaster.com.au
GETTING TO THE FESTIVALS
MacCabe Park on Burelli Street is a four-block walk from Wollongong Train Station on Station Street. While a number of buses stop on either side of either side of Burelli Street.
There will be a dedicated Taxi and Uber drop off/pick up zone along the Southern side of Burelli Street, between Church and Keira Streets.
Public parking is available on the street along Church and Keira Streets.
Kiama Showgrounds are on Bong Bong Street. The closest train station is Kiama on the South Coast Line, however trackwork is taking place between Bomaderry and Wollongong with buses replacing trains.
Traffic is expected to be heavy on roads approaching the showground including Manning Street, Terralong Street, Shoalhaven Street and Bong Bong Street. Motorists are advised to expect delays.
WHAT TO BRING
Farmer and the Owl
- Tickets
- ID
- Cash
- Fully charged phone
- Empty water bottle to fill up at drinking water stations
- Sun protection, sunglasses, hat, sunscreen
- Appropriate footwear must be worn at all times (thongs are ok)
- Something warm for the evening weather as it can get chilly. Umbrellas are not permitted so if it looks like rain bring a plastic poncho or raincoat instead
Red Hot Summer Tour
- Tickets
- ID
- Cash
- Fully charged phone
- Sealed still bottled water (soft drink and other non alcoholic beverages are not permitted)
- A Camp Chair / Small Picnic Rug
- Small Esky
- Snack Foods
- A Non Professional Camera
OTHER INFO
- Cash and Eftpos facilities will be available at all events.
- Both MacCabe Park and Kiama Showground are accessible for all abilities.
- MacCabe Park events are 18+. Kiama Showgrounds permits people under the age of 18 if they are directly accompanied by a parent/guardian at all times.
