Ash Bolt
Cunningham Pier is set to be transformed into one of the country’s most unique music festivals this weekend.
Coastal Jam is returning to Geelong on Sunday afternoon but for the first time it will be held as an outdoor festival on the iconic pier.
Coastal Jam organiser Adam Metwally said he was excited to try something different with the festival.
“I’m from Geelong and growing up there wasn’t a lot happening in terms of the nightlife,” he said.
“I always looked at Cunningham Pier and thought it would be really cool to do something there.
“We’ve held Coastal Jam inside at the pier before but then COVID happened and we’ve got some support from the [City of Greater Geelong] council.
“I thought this was our one good shot to try and see if we could do an outdoor music festival on Cunningham Pier.”
Taking over the pier from 3-11pm on Sunday, the festival will see electronic twins Cosmos Midnight tackle a DJ set alongside Perth alt-dance trio Crooked Colours, German act LOVEBIRDS, Fleetmac Wood, Dean Turnley, Coco Du Ma, Zoë and more.
Metwally said it was logistical challenge to organise the festival, but the support had been fantastic.
“It’s the first time we’ve tried outside and it’s a whole different beast,” he said.
“Inside you have all the infrastructure you need, you just have to get the stage set up but this time we’re essentially building a whole mini city on the pier that will go up and come back down within 24 hours.
“It’s something that’s really different … this is a bit of a trial run that will hopefully validate that space as a great place for events.
“The first time is always the hardest but hopefully it will be backed and can continue to grow – the end goal would be able to land someone like Flume for a festival here in Geelong.”
Metwally said he was hopeful the weather would be on his side.
“Thankfully the weather is looking good and tickets have been selling alright – there’s a chance we might sell out by the time it comes around,” he said.
“This has all come together pretty quickly and tickets went on sale a month ago … and the market has responded well.
“With the smaller capacity and everything else to get this up we can’t realistically make money, but I just want to see a great event that will hopefully grow.”
Details: coastaljam.com.au
