Musically inclined: AIREYS OPEN MIC FEST registrations open

Aireys Inlet Open Mic Festival director Marty Maher returns for the March 15-17 event featuring 140 performances, and the return of the Sunday mystery guest (Tash Sultana, pictured here, was the special mystery guest at the 2016 festival). Photo: PETER MARSHALL

THE 12th annual Aireys Inlet Open Mic Festival will be the biggest and best, according to returning festival director Marty Maher.

Registrations are now open to play at this year’s event and take part of the three-day festivities running from March15-17 over nine stages across town.

The event will put on 140 performances across the weekend, including the popular mystery guest late on the Sunday afternoon.

Past mystery guests include Tash Sultana, Tim Rodgers, Mark Seymour, The Hoodoo Gurus and Dan Sultan, with artists this year set to benefit from the festival’s latest additions.

“We are planning quite a few upgrades for this year’s festival including a rebranding, new venues, upgraded staging and merchandise for the first time,” returning festival director Marty Maher said.

“A quick shout out and thank you to the Surf Coast Shire who have just locked in another three years of funding for the future of the Aireys Inlet Open Mic Festival.

“They’ve been great major partners since the festival’s inception 11 years ago and it’s really going to be our best festival yet.”

What makes the festival a crowd favourite is the fact attendees pay “what you think it’s worth”, with donations accepted via a bucket on each stage.

All monies received goes towards the costs of running the festival, which continues to deliver and support an amazing calibre of local artists and acts.

This year the festival will also feature a stage for FReeZA, a Surf Coast Shire youth development program.

If you have played before or considering it for the first time applications can be made online at aireysinlet.com.au.