“I’ve never seen so many guys in short sleeve button down shirts in my life.”

“And I’ve never seen so many guys in overalls in my life.”

***

Australian music festivals are unlike anything you’ve ever experienced. And the people who go to them are a different breed of cool.

When I first arrived in Australia, I had this itch to do and see everything. So I looked up a few festivals to go to because I heard that an Australian music festival is a completely different scene than in America.

And boy, is that right.

I didn’t realize that when I moved to Melbourne I would be in a hub of some awesome international and local music. I went all out and bought tickets to Ultra, Creamfields, Laneway and Falls, and each one of those festivals was worth every penny. If you’re planning a trip to Oz, grab the glitter and put “Australian music festival” on your bucket list.Here are a few you should check out:

Falls Festival

This had to be my favourite festival so far! They have them in cities throughout Australia during New Years/early January. I went to the one in Byron Bay during NYE and had a BLAST. I honestly didn’t know most of the artists at the 3-day event, but now some of them are my fave bands (check out The Jungle Giants and Glass Animals!).

The festival is HUGE with about 4 stages, 20,000 people, and over 30 performances. They turn the whole area into its own little village (you can camp there) and, let me tell you, you’ll see some gnarly shit there. Festival peeps go all out to dress up. Falls has an ultra hippy vibe because, like, peace, love and music. I don’t think that any NYE will top watching Flume perform at midnight. Or that any New Year’s day will top watching people turn into savages in the rain and slide belly first down massive mud hills. That’s Australia for you.

Road To Ultra

The day I moved to Australia, I saw a billboard that said Ultra is coming to Melbourne in February 2018. Lucky for me, I knew I would be here. So I bought tickets right away because I’ve been to Ultra Miami and knew it would be worth it.

I underestimate how massive the Ultra organization is because they put on one hell of a party. In its first year on this continent, Ultra Australia spoiled festival go-ers with fireworks, epic light shows and some of the biggest DJs in the world (Axwell, what’s up). I had general admission tickets, but once I got in, some dude gave free VIP passes! So I got to experience Ultra up close and personal and it was life changing.

Laneway

Laneway is another one of those festivals that does a little tour around Australia. It came to Melbourne in early February and Jack got me tickets for Valentine’s Day. Again, I didn’t really know any of the performers there except Odesza (who I wanted to see at their own show in 2017, but tix were way too expensive).

Laneway blew me away. And not just the great performances, but the people watching was on another level. People went to great lengths to look like they walked out of the 1950s and into this music festival. I’m talkin’ men in high water jeans and tucked in T-shirts complete with a man-bun and glasses. Yeah. It was super cool though, I’ve never seen anything like it! The venue was pretty sick as it had 4 stages set up in these laneways. If you’re looking for something totally and weirdly Australian, this is the music festival to go to.

St Kilda Fest

St Kilda fest is sick because it’s Australia’s largest and FREE music festival. Yeah, FREE. This one takes place right on the boardwalk in St Kilda, during mid-February. As you can imagine, it’s hectic. Expect large crowds, an epic sunburn and Australia’s best music.

Creamfields

Creamfields is like Ultra because it’s an international festival. It came to Australia in November and threw an awesome Sunday Sesh (but actually, a music festival on a Sunday is brutal if you have work the next day). It was smaller than Ultra, but I got to see Deadmou5 (who’s the actual G.O.A.T.), Don Diablo and Gareth Emery. I highly recommend dancing your Sunday Scaries away at Creamfields.

Groove In The Moo

Groove in the Moo also tours around Australia during late April/early May. I haven’t been yet, but I have plans to go when I’m in Queensland! It’s more of a laid back festival with artists like Duke Dumont, Confidence Man and Cosmos Midnight. If “groove” is in the name, I’ll expect it to have the same crowd as Laneway. BRB, getting a pair of platform shoes and a black leather skirt.

Splendour In The Grass

I haven’t been to Splendour, but it’s supposed to be bigger and better than Falls. It’s held in Byron Bay in July and usually has a petty solid lineup. It’s another one of those camping festivals where the whole area turns into its own village. I’m putting this one on my bucket list as seems like an epic Aussie festival to go to.

There’s obviously more festivals that that, I mean, this is Australia! But those are a few that I’ve been to and totally recommend checking out! I know, I know, you’re probably like, “I’m not going to go all the way to Australia just for a music festival.” But if you are planning a trip here, look to see what’s on! It’s a great way to dive deep into that wacky Australian culture.

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