Aireys Inlet Music Festival a platform for local talent

The Aireys Inlet Music Festival is on a mission to show off the Surf Coast’s music scene.

Last year, the popular festival made the transition from much-loved annual Open Mic festival to a fully-fledged ticked music festival, continuing its mission to build a platform for the region’s emerging artists.

Aireys Inlet Music Festival co-ordinator Patrick Donovan said in the past the Open Mic Night had been a platform for the region’s emerging artists, and the transition meant shining a brighter spotlight on the region’s talent while also championing local live talent.

“The Surf Coast Shire gives Castlemaine a run for its money as a regional music hub in Victoria.

“There are so many quality bands building a buzz around the area.

“We’ve got Matt Burke and the Delusional Drunks, and the Beachniks.

“The area is just addicted to music, bands like Goanna, and the Dingos, and King Gizzard and the Lizard and The Murlocs all hail from the region, and coming out of COVID the scene seems to be stronger than ever.”

This year the line-up is stacked with many of Australia’s favourites musicians including Ella Hooper, Foggy Notion, Belair Lip Bombs, Rocket Science, and Andy Golledge Band, alongside noted Greater Geelong talent Bones and Jones, Immy Owusu and more.

Local folk-country singer songwriter Watty Thompson will also make an appearance at the festival, and the Surf Coast’s favourite folk-rock band South Atlas will be playing the gin bar.

This year, the festival is also focusing on bringing in a younger crowd to the festival, helping to support the next generation of budding music enthusiasts.

Donovan said as per Aireys Inlet Open Mic festival tradition, there would still be a FReeZA stage at Great Ocean Road Mini Golf to showcase the region’s young musical talent.

“It’s so important for young people to see live music and be able to have access to live music and also a chance to play… and the best young bands will have a chance to play on the big stage next year on the main stage.”

He said the festival has been overwhelmed by the support it had received from locals donating money, time, and resources to help run the event.

“Everyone’s basically chipping in to make this as good as it’s ever been and make sure we don’t lose it, because it puts a spotlight on live music for the weekend and helps us sustained live music all year round.”

“And for these festivals, they are a bit on an endangered species, because to keep the ticket prices down, it’s only $60 for three days, you need the community support.”

Donovan said the event also provided an important economic boost for the regional town, typically bringing in a 26 per cent increase in credit card spend compared to other March weekends.

“Which is why everyone is putting so much effort into making sure it’s such a successful event.”

Lead singer Jasper Jolley of the Bellarine’s own Bones and Jones said the whole band was looking forward to coming back to the festival that first helped them find their feet in the Aussie music scene.

“We always like playing close to home because we’re all from Geelong and the Surf Coast.

“A lot of us cut our teeth playing at The Open Mic Festival that used to run at Aireys, so it’s good to play the big boy stage.”

Bones and Jones formed during high school in Geelong and have supported the likes of King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard, The Nude Party (USA), The Murlocs, Twin Peaks (USA) and appeared at several festivals including Port Fairy Folk Festival, Meadow, Boogie Festival and more.

Jolley said his band was also looking forward to enjoying the diverse range of talent in the line-up this year.

‘It’s one of those festivals you can go to see the emerging artists cut their teeth and play their first shows, and it’s cool what they’re doing making it a bit more of a music festival now, with a lot of high-calibre bands from Melbourne playing as well, and you can make a full night of it.”

To book your tickets, head to aireysinlet.com.au