Main Stage
Alotta Presha
Bursting forth with fat bass, deep grooves and intoxicating melodies, eight man band Alotta Presha have crowds skankin' to their mix of reggae and rub a' dub styles every time. United in the quest to create the mightiest drop ever known to man, their unique sound has undeniably brought great vibes and (pure unadulterated) good times to some intense sold out shows.
The Barons of Tang
Lashing Tango, Rockabilly, Metal and Gypsy feels together with hard-hitting guitar riffs, double kick blast beats and massive horn arrangements, The Barons of Tang serve up their self described ‘Gypsy Death-core’. The catchy tunes and punk ethos all tie together to mean one thing - dancing is inevitable!
Dropbears
Dropbears rise again, from the ashes of the 80's. Singer and songwriter Johnny Batchelor, Bassist Phil Hall (also from Lime Spiders and Sardine v) and drummer Michael Knapp, are reforming especially for Viva La Gong.
In 1986, as the golden decade of rock began to grow weary, Dropbears rode off into the sunset content in the knowledge their work was done. For the Dropbears had rocked!
From the suburban beer-barns, to the self-righteously cool inner-city bars, they had packed shows in. They had staked out a corner of street cred with Fun Loving, and schmoozed the Top 40 with Shall We Go. They had flirted with glam and strode the big stages with the likes of U2, The Cure and New Order. No wonder the Sydney Morning Herald anointed Dropbears “our most exciting and promising new band.”
Now, like a herd of Harley Davidsons prowling the main street, Dropbears are back, loud, brash and a little bit flash… just for the weekend.
Mikelangelo and the Tin Star feat. Saint Clare
"If Las Vegas had a beach, and a clone made from the mixed DNA of Elvis Presley and Nick Cave had a band that played surf rock on that imaginary beach, then the music Elvis Cave’s band played would sound like Mikelangelo And The Tin Star" Rave Magazine
Inspired by a love of 50’s and 60’s instrumental guitar music and Western cinema soundtracks, the group have pioneered their own Surf ‘n’ Western sound. And Saint Clare's dreamy vocals add more layers of mystery, playfulness and dark sexuality.
The New Christs
It's been an interesting journey since Radio Birdman frontman Rob Younger formed The New Christs in 1984 to support Iggy Pop on his Australian tour of that year. A number of single releases featuring several line-ups followed, before the band recorded and released their debut album ‘Distemper’ in 1989.
Following the European tour in support of the album release, the band split up before briefly reforming in 1990 to support The Ramones on their Australian tour. Once again, after that tour, the band took a three year hiatus before Rob teamed up with bassist Christian Houllemare (Happy Hate Me Nots) and Bill Gibson (Lemonheads, Eastern Dark) to record ‘The Pedestal’ EP and ‘Woe Betide’ mini-album. This was followed by the 1997 release of the album ‘Lower Yourself’, which the band once again toured Europe on the back of.
In 2001, The New Christs recorded their full length album ‘We Got This’, but it would be some time before it was finally released. By that time, due to various reasons, the band had once again split. After spending a couple of years producing bands and touring with the reformed Radio Birdman, Rob assembled the current version of The New Christs in 2006. Former bass player Jim Dickson returned to the band and new recruits Stu Wilson(drums), Dave Kettley (guitar) and Brent Williams (guitar) lead the band into a new era.
Big Erle
Big Erle is a thee piece blues /folk based outfit that rocks and brings old-world blues in to the 21st century. Big Erle's deep powerful voice floats atop of driving poly rhythms, slide guitar and some fat bass.
Trio Matiz
From the Spanish word "matiz" meaning shades of colour, Trio Matiz interpret traditional and contemporary Latin American songs on a range of instruments including guitar, cello, percussion and voice.
Round Stage
Atticus
The ensemble began to take shape when Santa furnished the members with instruments. And, after a round of paper, scissors, rock, the current line up was agreed upon. Initially, the band only played covers, and were prone to turning The Troggs' ‘Wild Thing’ into an extended jam session with comically altered lyrics. They started performing and recording original music in 2008. Their sound is steadily evolving into a blend of alternative/synth based rock, with only trace elements of The Troggs still detectable.
Bennie James and the Light Connections
Bennie James is a Triple J Unearthed artist who combines elements of the 60's like The Kinks and Paul McCartney, as well as modern acts like Death Cab for Cutie and Noah and The Whale in his music. But while James might start off a song softly - sweetly even - he'll soon build himself up and unleash the strength and growl in his voice.
Kym Campbell
With a surfboard under one arm and a guitar under the other, Kym Campbell’s signature brand of acoustic pop is making waves across the Pacific. Originally from Seattle, the American-Australian songstress is often described as the female Jack Johnson, performing acoustic, surf and reggae music, that's peppered with guitar, ukulele and harmonica.
The Money Killed Johnny
Roots music - only with jazz, world and indie pop thrown in - makes Money Killed Jonny an eclectic mix of witticisms, rants, and social, political and romantic observations. The songs touch on everything from present-day issues, to hot topics in the 80's.
Tommy M and the Mastersounds
Tommy M and The Mastersounds are a relatively new, young band from the Illawarra. The band consists of eight members aged 15 to 20 who are from Kiama, Wollongong, Gerringong, Windang and Robertson. Putting their funky horn section, bass, drums, keyboards, vocals and guitars to good use, Tommy M and The Mastersounds provide an entertaining show of tasty funk, ska and reggae tunes.
Will Massey and the Ghost Trio
This fiddle-fuelled gypsy pop sensation is an original outfit from Wollongong. Together, they've played locally and interstate to wildly appreciative audiences.
Community Stage
Winyanga Nangami (Mother Dream)
Out of the Blue Singers
Rosas Flamencas
Dutch Australian Choir
Umuco Traditional Dance
The Disability Trust drama performance
St John the Baptist Serbian Folklore Dance Group
IMS Chinese Support Group performance
The Smiths Hill High School Jazz Combo
Croation Pensioners Choir
Berkeley Kindy Keys Preschool Music Program
MKUD Makedonija dance performance
Chinese Australian Service Society performance
Sahaja Yoga Meditation (Music of Joy)
Spirit of Serpentine School of Bellydance Infusions
Burmese Community performance group
Emigre Music and the World
In this series of three, hour long presentations, the audience will have the chance to experience some of the best musicians who have come from across the world and call the Illawarra home. Just so you know, there will a 30-minute interval between performances.
Roaming
Austinmer Dance Thearte
The Con Artists
The Academy of Cheerleading
Smiths Hill String Orchestra
Circus Monoxide
Circus WOW
Public Mischief
H.M.A.S Heidi's Tattoo Parlour
Wizard of OZ
Wollongong High School of the Performing Arts