In summer most of us suffer from festival overload. After shelling out cash for The Big Day Out, V Festival, the upcoming Blues and Roots shows most of us are too broke to even think about another one. But what if you heard about a festival that actually gives back to the music industry? I’m not talking about lining Richard Branson’s wallet; I mean really supporting the biz at a grassroots level. That festival is Duck Duck BOOM.
“You can think of a major music festival as a tertiary graduation day of sorts with pomp and fanfare, but it’s your local venues who are the underpaid and underappreciated primary and secondary school teachers and childcare workers of the music industry. And really there aren’t a lot of major events groups who are acknowledging this and putting something back,” explained Duck Duck BOOM coordinator, Dave Dreimann.
“I’ve got nothing against major music festivals. I think they are awesome. They bring in some incredible international talent and often take local bands who are doing well that one more step out into the public eye. They definitely serve an important purpose. But on a day-to-day basis it’s your local music venues, not these guys, who are giving the bands that go on to greater things their start and their education.”
In keeping with its altruistic aims, Duck Duck BOOM isn’t travelling to your local showground or stadium. Instead, this one-day festival will hit North Fitzroy’s Empress Hotel. This Victorian institution has worked tirelessly to support local bands for decades, a job that’s just become even tougher under Yarra Council’s noise restriction laws.
Duck Duck BOOM features a fantastic lineup of artists from all around the country, including local indie darlings Plastic Palace Alice and Number Station, Queensland folk rockers Yves Klein Blue, and Western Australia’s Will Stoker and The Embers. Sherlocks Daughter, Tonight is like Space Invaders, Plague Doctor, The Vice Chancellors, and Quiet the Few round out this impressive bill.
Strictly limited tickets are available now from Moshtix. At just $35.60 including booking fee, it’s a small price to pay to see some awesome bands and support the local industry.