HAYDAYS Festival: Thousands of festival-goers dance to country’s best musical talent

A festival to match any interstate, HAYDAYS Festival brings the big name acts music lovers have been waiting for.

Haydays festival at Cornelian Bay on 27th December 2023. Sisters Ellise Bishop and Sasquin made dedicated outfits for HAYDAYS. Picture: Linda Higginson

Young Tasmanian music lovers starved of a main stage full of big name acts finally had their fill as thousands of festival-goers revelled in the first HAYDAYS Festival.

Against the backdrop of kunanyi/Mount Wellington, Vibestown Productions’ – the organisers behind Tasmania’s much loved Party in the Paddock – kicked off the two-day festival at Cornelian Bay on Wednesday.

Electro-pop sensation PNAU headlined the first day, with other popular acts The Jungle Giants, Genesis Owusu, Luude, Confidence Man and MAY-A performing earlier in the day.

Tasmanian artist Sasquin made outfits for her and her sister Ellise Bishop to wear to the event.

“I don't sew but I bought kids capes and joined them together and made adult sized ones,” Sasquin said. “Why do kids get all the fun?”

Haydays festival at Cornelian Bay on 27th December 2023. Best Friends Maddy Dobson, 24 and Mickayla Tonks, 26. Picture: Linda Higginson

HAYDAYS was the first festival Maddy Dobson, 24, has attended.

“I’ve never been to a festival because Falls Festival was closed down so it’s very exciting to come to my first one here in Hobart,” she said.

But it’s not because of Covid as to why Ms Dobson hasn’t been to one.

“We’re not lucky and fortunate enough to have concerts and bands come down to Tasmania,” best friend Mickayla Tonks said.

“We miss out and then we have to spend more going to another state, where they get all the money when we’re known for our tourists and our beautiful land.

“It’s just a shame that we can’t have that down here.”

Haydays festival at Cornelian Bay on 27th December 2023. Jarrod Garwood and Shayne Franksombe from Launceston. Picture: Linda Higginson

Friends Shayne Franksombe and Jarrod Garwood travelled from Launceston to relish the chance to listen to live music.

“Any live music is so rare to get around Tassie especially Launceston,” Ms Franksombe said. “We’re super keen to see some live music and just be able to vibe to it and meet people.”

Haydays festival at Cornelian Bay on 27th December 2023. Baltimore Charlot kicked off the line-up at Haydays. Picture: Linda Higginson

Haydays festival at Cornelian Bay on 27th December 2023. Brayden Viney, Corey Bowden and Maryanne Nielsenbeck. Picture: Linda Higginson

Festival lovers Brayden Viney, Maryanne Nielsenbeck and Corey Bowden attended the festival early to discover new music.

“I’m glad to be here on time, all of my friends are getting here at like 3pm, big mistake” Mr Bowden said. “They’re missing out.

“We love coming to this stuff to discover new music, not just to see the live acts that we already know,” Ms Nielsenbeck said.

The final day of the festival will feature British dance-punk group Foals, Golden Features, SBTRKT, Cub Sport and Ziggy Ramo.