Erin Pearson
CENTRAL Geelong will host it’s biggest music festival when award-winning Australian bands play in the city during April, according to organisers.
They announced on Facebook that FESTIVUS For The Rest Of Us! would feature drawcards such as Little Red, Children Collide and The Vasco Era.
The event would have potential to draw thousands of patrons into central Geelong from midday to 10.30pm on April 24.
More than 1500 people had responded to the event’s Facebook page by Wednesday afternoon to confirm they would attend.
Organiser Barry Brauer, who has run past events such as Geelong’s 2008 Grazzhopper Festival, said the inner-city festival would feature the “cream of the crop” of Australian independent, rock and electronic artists over a full day.
“It’s been a long time coming that Geelong had its very own inner-city music festival,” Mr Brauer posted on Facebook.
A character in US television comedy Seinfeld coined the name Festivus for a new celebration of the festive season minus the commercialisation.
Councillor Bruce Harwood, who holds council’s major events portfolio, praised the music festival.
“Any event that comes to Geelong has the potential to enhance the economy and I’d certainly encourage events to come into the CBD,” he said.
“Any event organised, especially music events that bring a cross section of the community out, is strongly encouraged.
“The broader the appeal to the community the better the event and this sounds like one of those.”
The Facebook page said the 18-years-and-over event would also feature bands and performers such as Muscles, Tom Piper, Act Yo Age, Ajax, Red ink, 1 Fish Two Fish vs Malakai, The Human Electric, Mock Turkey, Schmikey vs Full Metal Cardigan, Driveby Epic, Kick It DJ’s, Brendan Yuen, The Happy Endings and DJ Earl.
Organisers would announce additional acts closer to the event, Mr Brauer said.