Hilltop Hoods, Middle Kids and Rubens to headline returning Handpicked Festival at Langhorne Creek

There’s some big news for fans who missed out on tickets to the Hilltop Hoods’ sold-out Adelaide Entertainment Centre show in September.

This article is unlocked for everyone to read. Get full digital access to trusted news from The Advertiser and Messenger with our great introductory offer.

Adelaide’s own Hilltop Hoods will headline the return of Langhorne Creek’s Handpicked Festival, back after a two year hiatus.

It’s great news for South Australian Hoods fans who now get a second chance at seeing the longtime hip hop favourites after their September 24 Adelaide Entertainment Centre show sold out.

The Hoods will be joined by party DJs Hot Dub Time Machine, Middle Kids, The Rubens, Babe Rainbow, The Dreggs and Steph Strings at the November 12 show at Lake Breeze winery.

Adelaide’s own Hilltop Hoods. Picture: Supplied

Handpicked producer Kate Cooper said it was an enormous relief to be able to stage the festival again after the pandemic.

And she thinks that 2022’s line-up might just be the strongest yet – no small claim considering previous years have featured the likes of Amy Shark, John Butler, JET, Matt Corby and Birds Of Tokyo.

“We’re so excited for this year,” Cooper, who started the festival in 2014 said.

“Hilltop Hoods are South Australian legends. It feels pretty darn special to host such homegrown heroes in our backyard. I love that Hilltop Hoods have such a huge demographic and following, my younger brothers love them, and my parents.”

She said she was just 21 years old when she thought of the idea to stage a festival at her family’s winery with the intent of promoting the southern wine region that’s so close to her heart.

“Here in Langhorne Creek we’re always fighting tooth and nail to get recognised, so I thought this is a way I can put this area on the map,” Cooper said.

She said that from the start the plan was to create a welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere.

“I never liked feeling like a sardine at a festival,” she said.

“I never liked that there was no food or no shade or that the bathroom facilities were gross. So we set out to do the exact opposite – we guarantee that everyone will have space for a picnic rug, everyone will have shade under our ancient gum trees, there’ll be more than 20 food trucks so you won’t be lining up for hours to get food.”

And anyone keen on a late night, or perhaps a glass of Lake Breeze wine, never fear – the festival’s Tent City, with space for up to 1500 campers and glamping options will be up and running.

Pre-sale tickets and more information can be found at www.handpickedfestival.com