Nightcliff Seabreeze Festival hits 30,000 headcount despite competition from AFL and rodeo

A packed weekend for major events did not deter music lovers from turning out in droves to the Seabreeze Festival. See the pictures.

More than 30,000 people visited the 2024 Nightcliff Seabreeze Festival over three days this past weekend. Picture: Liz Cruse

With fierce competition from both the footy and rodeo, the Nightcliff Seabreeze Festival drew more than 30,000 music-lovers this weekend, matching last year’s crowds.

Seven thousand punters watched the Gold Coast Suns’ demolition job of North Melbourne, while Saturday’s Rock n Rodeo Muster at the showgrounds saw at least 3000 cowboys don their spurs.

Seabreeze Festival logistics manager Andrew Arthur said the packed weekend may have shaved off a few numbers, but the three-day event went off without a hitch.

More than 2000 individual musicians and dancers performed at the festival. Picture: Liz Cruse

“Every stage had a great performance and every musician was stoked to be playing,” Mr Arthur said.

“What I loved was seeing these family groups just wandering around, lapping up the views, soaking up the atmosphere, running into other people and friends that maybe they haven’t seen in ages.”

Mr Arthur, who also co-founded the volunteer-led festival in 2004, said the strong turnout demonstrated a case for additional funding.

The festival also featured other attractions like a polocrosse exhibition match and a sand sculpture competition. Picture: Liz Cruse

Picture: Liz Cruse

The NT government awarded the event a $130,000 grant and loaned out three vehicles, while Darwin Council also chipped in $15,000 as part of a $400,000 community funding pool.

In 2023, organisers hit a road-bump when the council slugged them with a $1350 power bill that was not initially accounted for in their budget.

The festival only went ahead this year because of a funding lifeline from Darwin businessman Tim O’Connor.

Mr Arthur said its governing committee recently passed a resolution that it “(wanted its) relationship with the City of Darwin clarified”.

Among his personal highlights was a performance by Aboriginal rockers Salt Lake Band from Umbakumba.

“The crowd was so excited to hear this band singing in language,” he said.

“The band asked this little kid up on stage, and before you knew it there were around fifty people up there joining in. There was this excitement and appreciation of hearing music from country.”

More than 200 acts performed over 12 stages, and the presence of more than 2000 individual performers was “probably an Australian record” according to Mr Arthur.

He also said that organisers highlighted local food and beverage, stocking drinks by every one of the Top End’s 30-plus breweries.