Taking place on Sunday 9 February, the iconic St Kilda Festival has announced an incredible line-up for its 40th anniversary year.
Attracting over 400,000 people to St Kilda’s picturesque foreshore annually, since its inception in 1980, the Festival has played host to over 1,500 bands, focussing on supporting Australia’s homegrown musical talent.
The Main Stage will showcase Melbourne favourites Cash Savage and the Last Drinks; the high priestess of Soul Kylie Auldist; stack-blowing rockers Stonefield; electro-pop ensemble The Kite String Tangle; infectious four-piece rock band Port Royal and blues-inspired melodic pop duo Busby Marou.
The phenomenon that is the dance-through-the-decades AV party monster Hot Dub Time Machine will headline this year’s festival, blitzing crowds at festivals worldwide including Coachella, SXSW, Splendour in the Grass and more.
The O’Donnell Gardens Stage will feature the likes of 15-strong girl group The Rebelles; Victoria’s atmospheric pop teen queen Yergurl, and art rockers Jade Imagine, with the effortless musical prowess of Remi headlining the proceedings.
The Alfred Square Stage will include the iconic The Black Sorrows; punked-out seven-piece brass outfit Horns of Leroy feat. Thando, with the primal drums and howling harmonies of duo Mama Kin Spender as headliners.
The Fitzroy Street Stage will be graced by psych-pop outfit Zoe Fox and The Rocket Clocks; charismatic rockers Teenage Dads; innovative electronica act Huntly, and many more artists, with Kimberly hip hop artist Dallas Woods headlining.
Artists on the Little Catani Stage include vocal and beatboxing adventurers Mal Webb & Kylie Morrigan; multicultural arts company The Indigenous Arts Project, Ngiyampaa man and melodic singer-songwriter Pirritu, and hypnotic vocalist and First Nations Artist Bumpy, with kid-friendly rockers The Haploids as headliners.
In total, over 50 acts will take to multiple stages for the 40th anniversary of Australia’s biggest free music festival. In tribute to the first ever St Kilda Festival held in 1980 and as part of a fancy dress party for the Festival’s 40th birthday, festival-goers will be encouraged to dig out their iconic 80s fashion items, from acid wash, to leg warmers, to stirrup pants, day-glo and denim.
St Kilda Festival is also excited to announce that a Very Special 40th Anniversary Guest will be revealed on Friday 31 January before taking to the Main Stage at the festival.
“We’re celebrating 40 years of Australia’s largest free music festival with another superb line-up of artists and activities for people of all ages,” said City of Port Phillip’s Mayor Cr Bernadene Voss. “We’re extremely proud to have supported St Kilda Festival over 40 delightful years.”
The 2020 St Kilda Festival takes place on Sunday 9 February. The diverse program features live Australian music and dance, workshops, carnival rides, sports demonstrations, community group activities, food and market stalls, extended business trading, and family-friendly entertainment. For more information and full program, visit: www.stkildafestival.com.au for details.
Image: St Kilda Festival Main Stage – photo by Nathan Doran