Our Favourite Festivals of 2011…

We asked our contributors to share with us their favourite festivals of 2011. We collected the votes and these were their TOP FIVE touring festivals of 2011…

5. Groovin’ The Moo

A festival we love so much here at the AU review that it graced the cover of the 2010 edition of Australia’s Year in Music. It’s the only major regional touring festival in Australia and it not only embraces the parts of Australia so often ignored, but it uses these crowds to its advantage, creating a fantastic atmosphere with consistently amazing lineups. 2011 was no exception, with bands like The Jezabels, The Holidays, Hilltop Hoods, Gotye, Cut Copy, Darwin Deez, Datarock and The Wombats giving punters one hell of a festival to remember. It seems our contributors were among those who remember it fondly indeed…

4. Soundwave Festival

While some festivals feel the need to branch out and capture as many pieces of the market as possible in terms of the genres they showcase, Soundwave shows that if you focus on one section of the market, and do it well, then you’re going to have just as much – if not more – success as a touring festival. Fast becoming the biggest touring festival in the country, that’s not to say that the rock-centric Soundwave is without its eclectic appeal. From Queens of the Stone Age to Iron Maiden, Primus, Melvins, Fucked Up, Sum 41, Sevendust and even Third Eye Blind, there was a little something for Rock and Roll fans of all shapes and sizes. Their 2012 installment, which has already sold out the three big shows – Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne – is looking no different.

3. Big Day Out

It’s fair to say that Big Day Out holds a special place in all music lovers hearts. Maybe that’s why pundits have been so quick to yell “we’re disappointed!” at the lineups in recent years… for many it was the first festival they attended (it certainly was for me). You’re always going to be the most critical of the things you enjoy most. But the fact remains that year after year, Big Day Out pump out one of the most impressive, and eclectic, festival lineups on our music calendars. Featuring Tool, Rammstein (fire! fire! fire!), Grinderman, Iggy and the Stooges and many more, 2011 was indeed a good year, and we can say pretty confidently that 2012 is looking even better… I mean have you SEEN Mariachi El Bronx!? They’ll be worth the price of admission alone.

2. Laneway Festival

Unlike the festivals aforementioned, Laneway is dedicated more to the ‘niche’ markets of the industry, with the headliners usually more underground/triple j sensations than mainstream fodder. Though sometimes they book people like Florence Welsh and Mumford and Sons early and get lucky… In 2011, the festival featured a diverse lineup that included The Antlers, Les Savy Fav, Deerhunter, !!!, Yeasayer, Gotye, Two Door Cinema Club, Beach House and Cut Copy. To say a good time was had by all is putting it mildly. Bring on the 2012 edition!

1. Harvest Festival

And finally, our favourite festival of the year, was also the biggest surprise of the year. With the Soundwave folks at the helm, and following the collapse of Soundwave Revolution, it would be fair to say that expectations were low, in spite of an inspired lineup that boasted The Flaming Lips, Portishead, TV on the Radio and more. Things got off to a rocky start in Melbourne, thanks to long lines at the sold out event. But by the time they hit Sydney, things well and truly smoothed out. The locations were unique, the music was phenomenal and the atmosphere and crowds were the best we saw in 2012. Who knows what the future holds for Harvest, but we sure as hell hope it comes back… it was as close to perfect as a festival gets.

But of course the touring festivals aren’t the only ones that got the love. We also found out plenty of the local festivals that our contributors enjoyed. Here’s are our favourite State exclusive festivals and events!

Favourite NSW Festival: Changing Lanes

“Walking away with a bunch of favourite new artists and tired legs from a whole lot of dancing, it was hard not to be satisfied with all that Changing Lanes had to offer.” – Lucy Inglis

Runner Up: Byron Bay Bluesfest

Favourite QLD Festival: Sunset Sounds

“The first post-New Year’s festival to hit Brisbane, Sunset Sounds (AKA the two-day northern Falls minus the camping) brings together musical talent both young and well-established as well as throngs of revellers flock to the Gardens for two days of fun, rain, mud and top-notch live music. Sunset Sounds, we’ll miss you (even if our footwear probably won’t).” – Denis Semchenko

Runner Up: Splendour in the Grass

Favourite WA Festival: Southbound

“Southbound is this amazing little village that arrives every January, squeezes the life out of itself in three days and then goes off on vacation for the next 12 months to recover. It has everything you need to survive for three magical days….. minus the kitchen sink.” – Tony Lendrum

Runner Up: West Coast Blues n’ Roots

Favourite VIC Festival: Meredith

Little needs to be said about Meredith… it delivers year after year – this year holding what may mave been the final performance ever from Grinderman during a Lunar Eclipse. Not a bad way to celebrate the end of the year if I do say so myself…

Runner Up: Cherry Rock

Favourite SA Festival: FUSE Festival

“Held annually in Adelaide SA, Fuse is the longest running music industry conference and showcase festival in Australia, drawing over 5000 people each year. The Fuse Festival live showcases are an important part of the festival, with three nights of the best live music across Adelaide’s best live venues that allows delegates, attendees and fans alike to see what it is we’re really all talking about.” – Adam Monkhouse

Runner(s) Up: Womadelaide & WOMAD Earth Station

Larry Heath

Founding Editor and Publisher of the AU review. Currently based in Toronto, Canada. You can follow him on Twitter @larry_heath or on Instagram @larryheath.