The 16th Queenscliff Music Festival
23-24-25 November 2012
Featuring: You Am I, Something For Kate, Baby Animals, Ian Moss, The Cat Empire, Diesel, King Cannons, Gurrumul, Missy Higgins, Shannon Noll, Kingswood, Electric Empire, TZU, Owl Eyes and many, many more…
Queenscliff Music Festival invites you to fluff up the shagpile, wax up the board and hoon up the highway for its annual surf- coast music festival extravaganza this November. Queenscliff Music Festival turns sweet sixteen in 2012 with its hottest lineup yet, so it’s time to get excited !
We are proud to announce a QMF coup, so come on down to witness the inimitable Missy Higgins, performing for the very first time at the festival. Then, step right up ‘cause it’s time for the infectious energy of The Cat Empire and move on out for enigmatic Yolngu songman, Gurrumul. And that’s just three of the outstanding acts headlining three sublime days of music festival entertainment. With the move last year to the gorgeous seaside surrounds of Princess Park, QMF has been revitalized anew with Early Bird tickets sold out already, but plenty of sites available for happy campers. Get in quick, as there’s only 1000 sites !
Missy Higgins shares her new #1 album ‘That Ol’ Razzle Dazzle’ with Queenscliff audiences, coming off a self-instigated break from the public eye that gave her space to take stock of an extraordinary career which includes sales in excess of a million albums in this country since 2004. The critically acclaimed new work was instantly certified gold on release and is still near the top of the charts six weeks later. New single ‘Everyone’s Waiting’, is a cornerstone of the album and a clear crowd favourite as experienced at Missy’s recent sold out national tour. The ARIA Award winning Natasha Pincus has directed the clip to ‘Everyone’s Waiting’, which will be released next week.
Missy is delighted to be a part of QMF, a festival that she’s enjoyed from a different point of view in the past. Missy said, “I’ve been to Queenscliff Music Festival as a punter before … but never actually played, so I’m really excited about performing this November. It’s such a great festival, just the right amount of “laid-back” for my liking.”
Australian favourites, The Cat Empire return to QMF for the first time since 2003. One of Australia’s most successful touring bands, they are internationally renowned for turning any room into a festival, any festival into a party. The band will release a new album internationally in March 2013. They can’t wait to hit the stage at Queenscliff this year, so bring your dancing shoes…
Gurrumul, Rolling Stone’s 2011 ‘Most Important Voice’ will enthrall audiences at Queenscliff as an astonishing performer who truly transcends cultural boundaries. Surf coast punters can bask in the glow felt recently by HRH The Queen of England, US President Barack Obama, Crown Prince Frederik and Princess Mary of Denmark – all of whom have enjoyed an audience with Gurrumul recently. The good folk of Queenscliff Borough shall be rolling out the red carpet and trimming the cucumber sandwiches, but they draw the line at corgis! (It’s a Dog Free Zone).
Other standout acts for this years’ event include powerhouse indie rock gods, You Am I, along with Something For Kate, rock balladeers Baby Animals and British India. For those who like to rock, Ian Moss, Shannon Noll and Diesel will – no doubt -bring down the house. Charismatic hip-hop team TZU join the awesome goodness (and oh-so-badness) of Owl Eyes, Emma Louise, Clairy Browne & The Bangin’ Rackettes alongside the country twang of Ruby Boots. JJJ’s unearthed ‘Splendour In The Grass’ winners for 2012, Kingswood, line up with King Cannons and King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard for a silver jubilee of sounds. Hirsute hardcases The Beards and soul sensations Electric Empire, Pinky Beecroft & The White Russians, Chase The Sun, and All The Colours round out the announcements to date.
60 acts, 150 performances across 5 stages in the festival precinct as well as on the “QMF Family Express” historic train and music stages in the towns unique and beautiful venues – The Queenscliff Inn, Vue Grand Hotel, Lombardys on Hesse and Stoked on Hesse.
For those living on the Mornington Peninsula, the Sorrento-Queenscliff Ferry is offering festivalgoer’s a great deal – take your car on the ferry to the Festival and your friends ride for free.
? 3 Day Tickets are on sale now at www.qmf.net.au for a total cost of $204 (includes B/F)
? Camping available for just $38 per person for the whole weekend.
? Single day tickets go on sale August 1st 2012
? Tickets on sale now from http://www.qmf.net.au
All the Colours – Citing themselves as progressive-vintage, All the Colours are Josh Moriarty (Miami Horror), Josh Mann, Jono Toogood and Joe Bramley (Betchadupa) Think 60’s Motown dress sense akin to the Four Tops but with the swagger of Elvis and the guitar solo’s of Zeppelin. Got it? Good.
Baby Animals – Baby Animals are widely regarded as THE rock’n’roll success story of the early ’90s. Anchored by the unique and powerful vocal presence of Suze DeMarchi, their self-titled debut spent six weeks at number one, achieving eight-times Platinum status, spawned five hit singles and three ARIA Awards. Breaking up 1996, they’ve re-formed, released a new album, and haven’t looked back since.
British India – British India are certainly one of Australia’s hottest young independent bands, making arm-raising, air-punching anthems and playing hundreds of headline shows and festivals. T h e y p r o m i s e a s e t jam-packed with brilliant pop melodies, high-octane rock & roll and are happy to add playing QMF to their fiery list.
Chase The Sun – An Australian band with its roots hardwired into the blues scene, Chase The Sun just let their love of rock and roll hang out. Guitarist Jan Rynsaardt’s powerhouse delivery and soul-tinged songwriting provides a new take on a classic sound. Which had been duly noted with top honours in the Australian Blues and Music Oz Awards, and #13 debut on US Billboard Charts.
Clairy Browne & The Bangin’ Rackettes – Clairy Browne and her harmonizing girl group The Bangin’ Rackettes formed over a mutual love of 90’s dance videos, early rhythm n’ blues records and big hair. Who could resist the jailhouse swamp of ‘Love Letter’ ? No need, ‘cause they’re bringing their dynamic and energy-packed live show to QMF for the first time this year.
Diesel – For Diesel, the blues are never far away as he’s always infused the spirit and the sound into his music. His 2011 release, ‘7 Axes To Grind’ was a celebration of his most enduring muse – the guitar. With a library of releases, and a shelf of ARIA Awards, Diesel has been called “the musician’s musician”. Say no more.
Electric Empire – Since setting the scene in 2009, Electric Empire has been turning heads as Australia’s hottest new soul act. Heavily influenced by the raw sounds of the late 60s/early 70s soul music revolution, Electric Empire play an authentic, melodic blend of early rhythm & blues and jazz which they like to call “soul searching” music.
Emma Louise – Emma Louise is a fearless and incredibly talented young singer/songwriter. The infectious ‘Jungle’ broke it all wide open, going gold and continued its reign in JJJ’s Hottest 100 for 2011. Her music is remarkably assured and aptly inspired by unconventional attitudes and the aesthetic of those unafraid to be themselves at whatever cost.
Gurrumul – Gurrumul is an enigma in the Australian music industry. Born blind, Gurrumul grew up as a member of the Gumatj clan on Elcho Island, off the coast of tropical North East Arnhem Land. His fragile but powerfully emotive voice has affected the public in a way no other artist has done in this country. Considered ‘Australia’s Most Important Voice’ (Rolling Stone), which just goes to confirming this multi award-winning Yolngu musician’s place as an international sensation, capable of transcending cultural boundaries.
Ian Moss – Respected as one of Australia’s iconic musicians, Ian Moss delivers an unforgettable sound – not only as a telling soloist on guitar but also with his silken voice, ringing with clarity and resonating with pure soul. From the backbone of Cold Chisel, through to his impressive solo work and most recent release, ‘Soul on West 53rd’, Mossy will be bringing the rock to Queenscliff.
King Cannons – Some bands talk their way into opportunities or use algorithms to feign blog hype. Others drag themselves up by the teeth. In 2012, electrified soul-n-roll gang King Cannons arrive at their debut album, The Brightest Light, because tangled crowds of people shout their blistering choruses back to them in ramshackle band rooms. Ladies & Gentleman, we give you King Cannons.
King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard – King Gizzard have been hitting the Festival scene hard, with plum spots at Meredith, Big Day Out, and even a stage invasion at Warrandyte. Well and truly gaining a reputation as one of the country’s most exciting sounds around, plus the single ‘Bloody Ripper’ under their shorts, King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard will be hitting the road for QMF and releasing an album later in 2012.
Kingswood – Melbourne band KINGSWOOD are one of Australia’s most promising indie rock bands. Hell, they just took out Triple J’s ‘Unearthed Splendour In The Grass’ comp, which sees them get flown into the Byron Bay festival show. KINGSWOOD not only feature the unmistakable lead vocals of Fergus Linacre, but also vocals from each and every member of the band.
Missy Higgins – Missy Higgins shares her new #1 album ‘That Ol’ Razzle Dazzle’ with Queenscliff audiences, coming off a self-instigated break from the public eye that gave her space to take stock of an extraordinary career which includes sales in excess of a million albums in this country since 2004. The critically acclaimed new work was instantly certified gold on release and is still near the top of the charts six weeks later. New single ‘Everyone’s Waiting’, is a cornerstone of the album and a clear crowd favourite as experienced at Missy’s recent sold out national tour. The ARIA Award winning Natasha Pincus has directed the clip to ‘Everyone’s Waiting’, which will be released next week.
Owl Eyes – Meet Owl Eyes. She’s a 20 year old Melbourne singer/songwriter who threads elaborate fantasies of fictional worlds into breezy, intelligent indie-pop songs. With her delicious vocals, enchanting instrumentation and vivid lyrics, be prepared to follow Owl Eyes from one dream to the next with her set at QMF.
Pinky Beecroft & The White Russians – Pinky Beecroft & The White Russians wander from wicked to wanton, weaving a melange of monkey business into a musical context. Soft piano, personable lyrics, outright kitsch, rock and epic songs, it’s all in there. (thanks, Faster/Louder) From the embers of Machine Gun Fellatio, singer/songwriter/screenwriter Pinky Beecroft’s 4 piece makes self-described “Odd Rock” magic, with his usual wit working overtime.
Ruby Boots – Ruby Boots are a WA band that runs the rails from chain-gang chants and blues guitar through to western-swing and honky tonk piano, then across to folk-country and back around again. Are you keeping up? Winners of ‘Best Live Country Act’ at the WAMI’s in 2011, this year the band are up for 3 Awards. Come see the reasons why !
Shannon Noll – He’s clocked up ten consecutive top ten singles in his eight year career and now Shannon Noll is back with ‘Switch Me On’. His imminent fourth album sees the country boy from Condobolin remains unaffected by success and committed to his hard-working rock ethic. Shannon’s in possession of a true blue larynx, built sturdy by grit, gravel and beer. Believe it.
Something For Kate – With five successful albums to date, and a sixth waiting in the wings, Something For Kate play Queenscliff. In 2012, Paul Dempsey is back in Australia after a few years based in New York, where he decamped to work his solo album, ‘Everything Is True’. Together with SFK bandmates Stephanie Ashworth and Clint Hyndman, Dempsey has completed the writing of the new album, which is due for release later this year.
The Beards – The Beards are a bearded four-piece from Adelaide, whose catalogue consists entirely of songs about beards and having beards. They’ve gained a rapidly expanding cult following in Australia through relentless touring, amazing songs – and of course, their beards. Their song ‘If Your Dad Doesn’t Have a Beard, You’ve Got Two Mums’ has had almost 1,000,000 hits on You Tube. Bearded men, put down those trimmers – the Beards’ Revolution has come.
The Cat Empire – Australian favourites The Cat Empire return to Queenscliff Festival for the first time since 2003. The 8-piece line up features cool horn lines, a scratch DJ, two amazing front men and one of the worlds best rhythm sections. One of Australia’s most successful touring bands, they are renowned for turning any room into a festival, any festival into a party. The band will release a new album internationally in March 2013. Bring your dancing shoes…
TZU – Australia’s own genre-defying trend-setters, TZU are Joelistics, Count Bounce, Paso Bionic and Yeroc. Album #4 is due any day now, with a collection of original and charismatic tunes that see them head further in the electronic direction. Scooping up the APRA for ‘Best Hip-Hop Artist’ for the last album, TZU always deliver it live.
Vince Peach – Liverpool born Vince Peach has been spinning original soul 45s for as long as anyone can remember. An avid collector, Vince still manages to unearth gems that keep dance floors jumping all over his adopted homeland. Host of cult radio show ‘Soul Time’ on PBS FM, come along and listen to Vince spinning Northern Soul, Sweet Soul and Motown. Alright !
