Bass in the Grass 2024: What to expect as the NT’s biggest music festival kicks off

There’s one more sleep until BASSINTHEGRASS kicks off. Here’s your final guide to get psyched for the Territory’s biggest music festival.

Top (L-R) Danielle Andrews All Good Project, Ziggy Alberts, Minister Brent Potter Lotte Gallagher and CEO of NT Major Events Suzana Bishop. Front left Juran Adams and Matt McLean ahead of the 2024 Bass In The Grass festival in Darwin. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

The Territory’s largest music festival, BASSINTHEGRASS, returns on Saturday with ticket sales already up on this time last year.

More than 12,500 tickets have been bought to BASSINTHEGRASS so far, with ticket sales expected to hit at least 14,000 before the main gates open at Darwin’s iconic Mindil Beach.

Bass is run by an NT government-owned corporation, NT Major Events, and was estimated to have generated more than $13m to the Territory economy in 2023.

At a time when many major festivals around Australia are struggling to survive, Major Events Minister Brent Potter said the festival – now in its 21st year – was going strong.

“It is profitable, for every one dollar invested we’re getting $4.90, or about $5, back in the economy – that’s a great return on investment for any business venture,” he said.

“It’s great for the lifestyle, it’s great for musicians, but most importantly, it’s great for Territorians.”

Ziggy Alberts. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Singer-songwriter Ziggy Alberts said it was great to see strong government support for Bass.

“Music and the arts – I think something that’s not talked about enough – is it’s such a great thing for our circular national economy, for local economy, for the jobs created, besides the epic vibes for people,” he said.

Lotte Gallagher. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Melbourne musician Lotte Gallagher said she was excited to play, and would be looking out for her biggest fans in the crowd.

“I’ve heard a lot of good things about (Bass) because my parents have been here a few years in a row with their friends, so they’re pretty excited to come again but watch me play this time,” she said.

Matt McLean and Juran Adams of Arnhem Land band Mr Chrisy Mertas. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Another pair feeling “super pumped” were Matt McLean and Juran Adams – half of Nhulunbuy band Mr Chrisy Mertas who won the chance to play on the big stage in a local competition.

Adams said she was screaming down the phone when she heard the news they had been picked for the line-up, sitting alongside the likes of Macklemore, Jet, and Bliss n Eso.

“I definitely cried,” McLean added, saying he was most excited to see fellow Arnhem Land legends King Stingray.

“Super pumped to be on the stage, I’ve been watching Bass as a young guy, so now to be on it, it’s pretty sick.

“The access to get from Arnhem Land to the cities – it’s insane, it’s so hard.

“We just had two different cars drive 12 hours to get here, so the logistics of gigging out of town, it’s really challenging and hard for small bands to gain traction, so it’s a really good opportunity for remote bands.”

Currently, Bass is boasting the biggest festival line up in Australia for 2024 with over 25 international and Australian acts, also featuring the likes of US DJ’s Walker & Royce, UK’s Sam Divine as well as Australia’s VASSY, Bag Raiders and The Jungle Giants.

There will be four stages in 2024 with a new layout to accommodate the BASSment, a new stage dedicated to dance music. Taking to the BASSment includes Young Franco, local Territorian J-MILLA, dameeeela and Sunshine and Disco Faith Choir.