Seething teens or genteel scenes? Choose the right music festival for you with our guide
DO you prefer your festivals include a picnic blanket and a glass of chardonnay, or an army of moshing teens? Our festival guide will help you choose.
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DO you prefer your festivals include a picnic blanket and a glass of chardonnay, or an army of sweaty, moshing teens? We have a festival guide to help you choose.
HARVEST FESTIVAL
November - Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane
An alternative music festival, this year featuring Franz Ferdinand, Massive Attack, Primus and Goldfrapp - for grown-ups who prefer to wander leisurely between stages instead of getting poleaxed by a daisy chain of chaotic teens. Has a companion arts event including installations and guerilla performances.
BIG DAY OUT
January - national
The big daddy of the travelling musical circus is attempting to time-travel back to its roots as a gathering of musical tribes rather than a rite of passage for 16 and 17-year-olds. Introduced Chow Town last year to appease older fans who actually like to eat something at festivals that hasn't been deep-fried within an inch of its life.
SOUNDWAVE FESTIVAL
February - national
For lovers of the black band T-shirt whatever their age, Soundwave has become one of the most successful music events because it caters for a specific music market who like their music loud and made with guitar and drums. Melody optional.
STEREOSONIC
November and December - national
The self-proclaimed most popular electronic festival in Australia based on gate numbers expands to two days in 2013. Punters must be tanned and preferably sweat perfume. Lads must leave their tops on.
FUTURE MUSIC FESTIVAL
March - national
Started as a DJ-heavy event before gradually adding bands that weren't exactly your typical electronic fare, including influential heritage acts such as New Order and The Stone Roses. Most of the audience looks like a casting call for an Australian production of Geordie Shore.
WARPED
Summer - national
The junior Soundwave returns to the festival calendar in 2013 and should prove a big drawcard for Gen Yers and their older brothers who love punk, metal and hard rock. Expect a more mixed crowd at the regional shows and skip the moshpit unless you love circle dancing.
GROOVIN' THE MOO
May - national
A truly eclectic festival which mixes international and local acts and genre hops from hip hop to beardcore - that's hairy young men playing folk music. The regional run attracts a wide age demographic starved of big music shows.
SEE the Hit liftout in tomorrow's News Corp Australia newspapers for interview with Harvest headliners Franz Ferdinand.