Hoodoo Gurus touch down at the Taste of Summer for sold out New Years Show

Hoodoo Gurus lead singer Dave Faulkner believes his band is hitting a new level ahead of their headline New Year's Eve performance. Why they’re set to be a crowd-pleaser.

Taste of Summer Day Two: Val and Zac Agioski from Sydney. Picture: Linda Higginson

There are some “high expectations” for the perfect New Year’s Eve event in Tasmania — but the Taste of Summer has got it covered, organiser says.

“It’s definitely high demand and high expectations,” general manager Katharine Dean said.

“Being New Year’s Eve adds a whole other layer of complexity – we’re dealing with fireworks, we’re dealing with multiple other events around the waterfront happening.

Taste of Summer General Manager Katharine Dean. Picture: Genevieve Holding

“Everyone wants to have a really amazing, fun night celebration and be in perfect view of the fireworks, so it’s really trying to live up to that expectation, but we’re excited and think we have the perfect place for Tasmanians.”

The Taste has brought in just over 35,000 attendees in the last three days of opening as well as 10,500 people on Monday.

With the same fantastic venue and stallholders, alongside entertainment like headline act Hoodoo Gurus and the best spot on the waterfront for viewing the fireworks, Ms Dean said the event is preparing for a further 5000 people in its sold-out New Year’s Eve session.

Bronte Ingleton and boyfriend Declan Austin both of Melbourne. New Year's Eve at Tasmania's Taste of Summer. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“It’s all coming together after months of hard work, so it feels really good,” she said.

“It’s had a really positive atmosphere.

“Clearly, everyone’s on holidays and just ready to relax and have fun and it’s felt like a really great event space.”

Families and children can still have their own New Year’s Eve celebration in the day, with the Taste hosting a free entry community day from 12 noon to 4pm on Tuesday.

— Genevieve Holding

Hoodoo Gurus ready to ring in 2025

Iconic Aussie band Hoodoo Gurus has touched down in Hobart ahead of their sold-out New Year’s Eve performance at the Taste of Summer.

At PW1 on Monday, front man Dave Faulkner said their performance will come amid a “bit of a moment” for the band.

“We always give a pretty good account of ourselves but as the moment we’re really hitting a new level and [New Year’s Eve] is going to be another one,” he said.

“We’re on fire right now. See us at the top our game.”

The band emerged as part of the pub-rock scene in the 1980s, and is best known for their 1987 single, ‘What’s My Scene?’.

The last time they performed in Hobart was in 2022 alongside the Dandy Warhols for their 40th anniversary tour.

Be My Guru will bring all line-ups of Hoodoo Gurus over the past 35 years together at Vivid Live, pictures: Supplied/Dave Faulkner

Mr Faulkner said fans should expect to hear “a good chunk” of 1984 album, Stoneage Romeos, as well as a “bunch of our well-known songs that people really want to hear”.

“It’s been a couple of years since we’ve been here and we had a ball so we’re looking forward to another one just as good as that,” he said.

“Playing New Year’s Eve can be a bit hairy, because people get a bit festive too soon.

“We hope they pace themselves because they’ll be given a good long show and should be ready for it.”

This is the first time tickets to any Taste of Summer session have sold out.

Be My Guru will bring all line-ups of Hoodoo Gurus over the past 35 years together at Vivid Live, pictures: Supplied/Dave Faulkner

CEO Stephen McMullen said organisers could not be “any more pleased” with the opening days of the festival.

“I’m really happy with the first two days. Again we superseded our expectations with another 12,000 in,” he said.

“The crowds have had a really good time, the stallholders are ecstatic, the weather’s held out and the power time of the Taste is really coming forward now.”

While tickets are sold out for Friday night’s performance, there will be free access between 12pm to 4pm for the festival’s Community Day.

There will be two fireworks displays over the Derwent on Tuesday – the children’s event at 9.30pm and the main fireworks at midnight.

“We are going to have a great crowd and the forecast is brilliant,” Mr McMullen said.

“We really want the people of Hobart to experience everything that Taste has to offer.”

For more ticketing information visit tasteofsummer.com.au

— Bridget Clarke

Originally published as Hoodoo Gurus touch down at the Taste of Summer for sold out New Years Show