Top End music festival to be ‘biggest’ yet

In the wake of 2024’s line-up being announced, one artist has expressed her thrill at returning to the Top End.

3 min read

November 17, 2023 - 1:30PM

Australian rock band Jet will be back in the NT following a popular performance at the 2018 Supercars concert. Picture: Martin Philbey

Northern Territory

Don't miss out on the headlines from Northern Territory. Followed categories will be added to My News.

The Top End can expect 2024 to bring one of the “biggest” BASSINTHEGRASS events of its 21-year-history, according to NT Major Events chief executive Suzanna Bishop.

In a press conference on Thursday, Ms Bishop said plans for the 2024 event were “fantastic”.

“We announced last week Macklemore, we’ve got 22 artists that we announced this morning and many of them that have never even played in a festival before, it’s fantastic,” she said.

“We’ve got (artists) Coterie and Sunshine celebrating with us today and we are really looking forward to one of the biggest yet festivals.”

Ms Bishop added the event was the “most affordable festival in the country”.

“You know, from $129 you get to play for the whole day; if you want to do it in style there’s three premium options that you can also select from, but there was a lot of consideration to keeping the price as affordable as possible.”

Melbourne-based DJ, Sunshine, with Coterie band members, brothers Conrad and Josh at Mindil Beach promoting the 2024 BASSINTHEGRASS event. Photo: Harry Brill.

Melbourne-based DJ, Sunshine, who performed at the Darwin Festival in 2022, said she was excited to return to the Top End.

“(I) absolutely fell in love with the place, that energy and vibe, and just (that) crowd.”

Sunshine said she was fond of the Territory’s festival goers.

“Everyone (comes) from all walks of life, all age groups and everyone’s there having a great time.”

Brothers Conrad and Josh, from Perth-based band Coterie, said they had waited “years” to perform in the Top End.

“We wanted to play at BASS for years – since we were in high school so it’s pretty cool for us,” Conrad said.

“There’s so many good artists that have come through (this event), it’s iconic.

“We’re from WA and we’ve always wanted to come over to the Territory.”

Revealed: Who is coming to BASSINTHEGRASS 2024

Early 2000s rock and rap enthusiasts and indie music fans alike will be thrilled with the artist announcements for the 2024 edition of BASSINTHEGRASS.

A strong contingent of Australian artists will join US rapper Macklemore and take to the three festival stages at Mindil Beach on May 18.

Rock band Jet, rappers Bliss n Eso and indie stars Jungle Giants and Ziggy Alberts as well as former Darwin songstress VASSY and Territory music royalty King Stingray have all been secured for the Territory’s premier music festival.

A new 360-style stage will be introduced, where electronic dance music artists such as Bag Raiders and Mashd n Kutcher will perform.

EDM superstar VASSY will return to Darwin for BASSINTHEGRASS. Picture: Anna Azarov Photography

VASSY said she was excited to return to her roots for the performance.

“As a local girl originally from Darwin born and raised, now based in Los Angeles, it gives me so much joy to come back home to perform for my hometown and to support my local community by showcasing local talent in my show line-up,” she said.

Chief Minister Natasha Fyles said the calibre of talent on offer would provide something for all music lovers from across the country.

“Independent research shows almost a third of BASSINTHEGRASS attendees in 2023 travelled from interstate,” she said.

“More than 35 per cent of them were visiting the Territory for the first time.

“This shows BASSINTHEGRASS is a ‘stepping stone’ event, which introduces the Territory to people who might not otherwise visit.

“This is great news for our tourism and hospitality sectors, as visitors get out and about to experience everything the Territory has to offer.”

General admission tickets and premium packages are now on sale.

FULL LINEUP FOR BASSININTHEGRASS2024 (in alphabetical order).

BAG RAIDERS

BLISS N ESO

COTERIE

JET

J-MILLA