By ALANA MITCHELSON
Motor City Music Festival has announced its second lineup, with more than 45 acts to rock the stages at the Geelong Showgrounds in March.
While committed to the local blues and roots music scene, festival organisers have a variety of music styles over the long weekend from 11 to 13 March.
The themed format divides each day by genre; rock, tributes and country on the Friday, Saturday and Sunday respectively.
Headlining the 2016 event across four stages are American soul singer Eugene Hideaway Bridges, travelling all the way from Texas, iconic Aussie ‘90s rock band Bondi Cigars and UK guitarist Gwyn Ashton.
Local acts include blues singer Chris Wilson, and rhythm and blues band Sweet Felicia and the Honeytones.
The majority of acts are based interstate such as singer-songwriter Shane Nicholson who recently won an ARIA at the prestigious annual national awards ceremony. Other highlights include Cleveland Blues, 19-Twenty, Benny C and the Associates, Wolfe Brothers of Australia’s Got Talent fame and former X Factor finalist Dean Ray.
Festival co-director Hugo T Armstrong said Temperamental’s tribute to The Divinyls was a worthy cover.
“We wanted to make sure there’s something for everyone,” Mr Armstrong said.
“A lot of festivals centred on the one genre can feel a bit same-same. It was a very deliberate decision to create a festival where your experience changes from day to day.
“We also didn’t want people to feel as though they need to go to the whole thing. They can just choose the one day that best fits their interests.”
Sunday is set to be a family fun day for all ages to enjoy. There will be rides, dodgem cars, a giant slide and kids’ entertainment throughout the day as well as a fireworks display at 8.45pm.
One of the highlights on Sunday is the Comic-Con enthusiasts Melbourne Transformers who will feature at the event in their first visit to Geelong. Kids will have the opportunity to meet Optimus Prime, Iron Man and other favourite action heroes.
Mr Armstrong said his small team of three organise the festival that is expected to reach as more than 7000 music fans next year.
This week, Motor City announced a partnership with Karingal and the festival will be more accessible and inclusive of attendees with disabilities.
Having received requests for camping grounds since the event first took off in 2014, this year there will be camping grounds for festival goers who want to crash overnight and make a weekend of the event.
The showgrounds will have 56 powered and 24 unpowered sites, with toilets and showers available.
Mr Armstrong said people have in the past travelled from as far as Mackay and Perth to attend Motor City Music Festival.
“What people often forget is that music tourism is a large part of tourism,” he said.
“We want to create a sustainable event for Geelong and hope to build other experiences around the festival program in the long-run moving into the future.”
For the full lineup, more information or to volunteer, visit motorcitymusicfestival.com.au
