Harvest Rock festival to become a yearly staple in South Australia

The state government has revealed talks are already underway to make Harvest Rock an “iconic event” and a permanent fixture in SA’s events calendar.

The stage is set for the new Harvest Rock music festival to become a yearly staple in South Australia’s growing events calendar, as the state government reveals plans to strike a long-term deal with organisers Secret Sounds.

New Lord Mayor Jane Lomax-Smith has also thrown her support behind the two-day event, dismissing concerns Adelaide City Council would again oppose any moves to close major roads for the parklands festival.

Tourism Minister Zoe Bettison said it was the government’s ambition to make Harvest Rock an annual festival exclusive to Adelaide.

“It has been a challenging entry into the market for Harvest Rock, and all things considered, we have been pleased with the support the festival has received and anecdotally with the number of people who travelled to SA,” she said.

Tones and I performs at Harvest Rock 2022 in Rymill and King Rodney Parks. Picture: Emma Brasier

Tourism Minister Zoe Bettison said talks are underway to make Harvest Rock an annual fixture of SA’s events calendar. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Emma Brasier

“We hope Harvest Rock will become an iconic event in our annual calendar and look forward to working with all stakeholders, including the (council), to make that happen.”

Event co-producers Jessica Ducrou and Paul Piticco said 15,000 people attended each day of the festival, headlined by American musician Jack White on Saturday and Crowded House on Sunday.

“It was a truly unique event and we’re proud to have shared it with the close-knit Adelaide community and those who travelled from all over the country to join us,” they said in a joint statement.

“We look forward to many more Harvest Rock Events in the future.”

In August, the council voted against closing Bartels Rd for three days, which would have stopped the festival going ahead.

Mega gallery: Harvest Rock 2022 in Adelaide

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Premier Peter Malinauskas then declare it a major event, granting the government power to shut the road.

On Sunday, Dr Lomax-Smith said she would not stand in the way of the event in future years.

“I am absolutely in support of all the major events and I am just grateful that the government invests so widely in bringing activities to the city,” she said.

“I look forward to early negotiation with the event organisers about the timing of necessary street closures so we can avoid uncertainty in the build-up to next year’s event.”

Ms Bettison said booking data showed Adelaide’s hotel occupancy was sitting at 85 per cent one week out from the festival. She said it was expected occupancy had increased to 90 per cent at the weekend.

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