Tasmanian music festival goes out on a high note: ‘it feels like we’re saying goodbye to a dear old friend, a loved one’
A major Tasmanian music festival’s 2020 edition will be one to remember, after organisers announced the it will be the final ever instalment.
The Northern Mercury
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*LANGUAGE WARNING*
PARTY in the Paddock 2020 will be the last ever instalment of the major northern music festival, organisers have announced.
They took to social media this morning to break the news to fans that the much-loved contemporary music festival will be laid to rest after its February event near Launceston.
“We believe PITP is at the top of its game and ‘only the good die young’,” the post read.
“[It is] surreal and something that we’ve been holding tight for along time now, so we’re really glad that we can finally share it with you.
“One of the hardest decisions of our lives, it feels like we’re saying goodbye to a dear old friend, a loved one … like we’re putting down the family dog… But we’ve had to be really honest with ourselves about the amount of energy and passion that goes into making PITP special every year.
“As a team, we’re ready to tackle new and exciting projects on the horizon. All things must at some point come to an end and we want the most special project of our lives, to go out on top.”
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The post on Facebook had almost 1500 comments after 2 hours.
Danny Blum commented; “Jesse, Carly and Justin I hope you’ll do me the honour in allowing me to be part of this amazing journey with you all one more time!”
Angelina Malerbi said; “Better to burn out than fade away. look forward to your next exciting projects.”
The summer festival began as a humble but “wild and fairly innocent” party in a paddock at White Hills hosted by a group of close friends and grew into an official festival in 2013.
“We invited our mates and they invited theirs and it just kept growing, until the smell of independent music and arts festival was in the air,” the post continued.
The festival has always given independent local artists a platform as well as attracting some of the biggest names in Australian music.
Last year’s festival saw about 7500 punters turn up for a line-up including international pop royalty including Lily Allen and Yungblud and Australian legends The Presets, Vera Blue, The Jungle Giants and Winston Surfshirt.
The post continued saying organisers had thought long and hard about “how this story might end”.
“Would PITP go on to become the next big festival, would it stand for 25 years, maybe 50… But in the process, would it grow soulless, through the test’s of life; would we grow lazy or maybe greedy and would we let it become just another franchise or money making operation?
F--- that…
“That was never the plan, that’s the kinda sh-t as rebellious youth’s, we hated. Party in the Paddock, is art and was always meant to be bullsh-t free – created with the intent of fun, freedom, mates, diversity, some more fun, MUSIC, art and hay bales.”
“How special have we made our annual pilgrimage to a paddock,” the post continued.
“From final show’s, to so many magic performances, [Vibes Town] March’s/giant conga lines, ashes, rainbow’s, engagements, [Lily Allen] and the best memories of our lives.
“Did we get lost along the way? Maybe… Sometimes perhaps, but we grew and we learnt a lot, a real lot – and together. Here we are today, 8 years on and still together! Still on top of these f...ing hay bales haha… Are you with us..?”
“For one last time, for you (our friends) we’re going to put on the most epic PITP in our history… We’re gonna snip fences to make room for every single person that’s ever been to a Paddock!!!
“You’ve been warned our friends, don’t miss a part of Tasmanian history. We’ve only got a couple’ thousand left, get moving. Oh and by the way… We’re inviting a few special guests back to help us celebrate… Haha, holy sh-t this is going to be a monster.”
The Party in the Paddock 2020 Line-up is packed with Australian heavyweights including Matt Corby, Jack River, Dune Rats and Hermitude.
For the Full Line-up and tickets, visit www.partyinthepaddockfestival.com.au
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Final paddock party getting started
The three day program of the final edition of Tasmania’s Party in the Paddock music festival kicks off on Thursday.