Thousands celebrate Party in the Paddock’s jam-packed line-up
Despite challenges that are affecting the entire music industry, the organisers of Party in the Paddock are not letting it get them down. Check out our gallery.
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As Party In the Paddock 2024 hits the halfway point, organisers have hailed the festival as a success so far despite some financial challenges.
British electronic act Rudimental, Australian indie darlings Ball Park Music, and glam rock icons The Darkness are set to close out the festival on Sunday.
Festival organiser Jesse Higgs said an event like Party In the Paddock was important.
“The quality of acts we have is what we used to see in yesteryears with Falls Festival, so it really nice to bring that back to Tasmania,” Mr Higgs said.
“This is something we take a lot of pride in. We don’t just do this for money.”
However, despite the success of this year’s event, he said he was expecting the festival to run at a loss.
“It’s a pretty challenging year with the cost of living crisis,” he said.
“As a company, we will take some hits this year as numbers are slightly down across the different events we put on.
“It’s tough out there, as far as economics are concerned for the music industry, but we are holding firm and really thankful that the Tasmanian community is supporting us the way they do, as they have always done with Party In The Paddock.”
Acts excited to be on home turf
Much-loved summer staple Party in the Paddock festival has rolled out the red carpet for its 2024 line-up, bringing an impressive mix of music to Tasmania.
With a reputation for showcasing some of the best in the business, PITP snagged a blend of international acts, local stars, and cult favourites this year.
Triple j Unearthed 2024 winners Offset Vision didn’t have to travel far to grace this year’s festival stage.
Hailing from Launceston, the pop-punk band is set to captivate audiences with its blend of metal-core and hip-hop influences.
Offset Vision band member James Baker said going from playing at small venues to a huge festival would be a great experience.
“It’s pretty strange. We’re used to playing in 100-capped clubs, in these tiny spaces, so to be here is a bit weird but very exciting,” Baker said.
“It’s definitely going to be a different crowd to who we usually play for, but it’s fantastic to get that experience.
“It’s also kind of funny, we should have got t-shirts made that say, ‘I drove 11 minutes to get here’.”
Tasmanian-born artist Bec Stevens said she was excited to be playing on her home turf.
“It’s surreal to be here, especially because the festival is run by people I grew up with. I think that’s the wildest part,” she said.
“Growing up, I’d go to festivals like Falls and I never could imagine to be a part of something like this, other than as a volunteer maybe. So I feel really lucky.
“I think playing up there on stage will be really beautiful. And I’m keen to see all the other amazing artists perform alongside me, too.”
Stevens said she was most excited to see US artist Petey.
“I’ve been waiting for him to come to Australia for years,” she said.
“And now I’m on the same festival as him? It’s amazing.”
Stevens said her setlist would include all of the fan favorites, including a heartfelt cover written by her late friend.
“My song, James’s song, which is written by my friend James, who I lost a few years ago to suicide,” she said.
“James was from Launceston, and I think his family will be here, so that will be really special.”
Rashell Mayo and Sharnaya Brotherton travelled from Burnie to Party in the Paddock.
“We’re excited to be here, to see all of the music and just have a good time,” Ms Mayo said.
“There’s just so many good bands playing this year.”
Jesse Springer, Trey Banks, and Conor Dobson of Launceston came festival-ready in their matching shirts.
“It’s just a bit of fun to dress up, and we figure we can’t get lost dressed like this,” Mr Banks said.
Party in the Paddock continues to Sunday evening.
Everything you need to know about Party in the Paddock 2024
Grab your freshest festival fit and put on your dancing shoes because Party in the Paddock is back for its biggest festival yet.
Up to 15,000 partygoers are ready to descend on farmland just outside of Evandale for four days of festival fun.
With international acts like the Darkness, Rudimental, Milky Chance, and a smorgasbord of local talent, including Lime Cordial, G Flip, Ball Park Music, San Cisco, Holy Holy, and more, this year’s line-up has something for everyone.
Party in the Paddock founder and Vibestown artistic director Jesse Higgs said more than 170 artists would hit five stages over the next few days.
“We have a really large line-up this year; in fact, it’s the largest we’ve ever had,” Mr Higgs said.
“We’ve got over 170 artists on the bill, and a good handful of our headliners are international acts, which has been difficult to wrangle since Covid.
“We’re really happy with who we’ve got, like Rudimental and the Darkness – it’s a high school dream of mine to hear them play live – so to have their music reverberating through the Carrick paddocks is going to be sensational.”
Mr Higgs said thousands of festival revellers would come through the Quercus Park gates over the next few days.
“We’ve got about 3000 people coming in today, much better than the eight to 9000 people we had coming in at the same time on Friday – like last year. That was not a good time,” he said.
“We haven’t sold out of tickets just yet because the capacity out here is massive.
“But the fact that we still have as many people coming as we did last year, it’s just a massive testimony to our culture here at Party in the Paddock. We’re so thankful to the loyal humans that support us.”
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