Australia: SandTunes Festival Moves, Sydney Lockouts Relaxed, OneLove To Bow In Oz

Two Queensland festivals, TEG Dainty’s inaugural SandTunes and Rabbits Eat Lettuce Ltd’s Bohemian Beatfreaks, have been forced to  shift from their original sites.

The much anticipated SandTunes moved from the Gold Coast’s iconic Coolangatta Beach to the grounds of  Metricon Stadium after a backlash from residents and small businesses. They cited security, environment, economy and brand reputation concerns.

TE Dainty’s Paul Dainty said SandTunes was “a great concept” but “Ultimately the locals pushed back, the community obviously didn’t like the idea, they were very very anti-it. We came to the conclusion that we should listen, take it on board what they say, we’re intelligent people, make a common sense decision, and make the move and make everyone happy.”

Music and lifestyle event Bohemian Beatfreaks (Nov. 22-24) is to announce its new location in weeks. Cherrabah Resort in Elbow Valley rescinded permission after the promoter’s other festival, Rabbits Eat Lettuce which takes place in April at the same location, was marred by two deaths. Police had expressed concern to local council about safety and “excessive strain” on their resources. The promoters said, “When we became aware there might be issues with the Cherrabah venue permit back in June this year we promptly secured a replacement venue in south-east Queensland to ensure the November festival will be going ahead.”

NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian announced Sept. 7 that the controversial 1:30 a.m. lockout laws will be scrapped from the central business district by year’s end but remain in place in the Kings Cross precinct. “Community safety will always be a major focus for my government, but we need a balanced approach,” she said. “Sydney is Australia’s only global city and we need our nightlife to reflect that.”

The live sector kept up an intense campaign after the rules’ introduction in January 2014 immediately led to a 40% drop in foot traffic and ultimately closure of dozens of venues. A current parliamentary inquiry into the Sydney nighttime economy allowed for a further push for dismantling. Live Music Office GM John Wardle urged the government to work with local councils to revive venues and present fresh opportunities for musicians. A 2019 study by MusicNSW found 85% of musicians estimating their careers had been harmed, 75% had less work and 40% saw their income drop.

After four years of attracting an annual 20,000 reggae fans in New Zealand, OneLove festival makes its Australian debut Feb. 1 at Broadwater Parklands on the Gold Coast. Sean Paul and Shaggy headline over Toots and the Maytals, Third World, Polynesia’s FIJI and NZ’s Sons of Zion. The NZ event on Jan. 25-26, has a similar bill as the Gold Coast show but with more NZ and Pacific names.

The Australian Football League’s grand final Sept. 28 at Melbourne Cricket Grounds opted for an all-Australian bill for its pre- and post-entertainment. The music’s coordinator, Frontier Touring’s Michael Gudinski, has Paul Kelly topping a bill that mixes fellow veterans John Williamson and Mike Brady, with recent global achievers Dean Lewis, Conrad Sewell and Tones And I.  The latter was 12 months ago busking and living in her van, and now selling out European dates after her chart-topping debut single “Dance Monkey.”

In the meantime, the National Rugby League’s at ANZ Stadium Oct. 6 has OneRepublic topping its bill, while Billy Idol returns January for tennis’ Australian Open.

1970s The’ Dudes are being inducted into the New Zealand Music Hall Of Fame and presented with the 2019 Legacy award. It’s part of the Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards Nov. 14 at Auckland’s Spark Arena. Formed in 1975 by singer songwriters Dave Dobbyn and Peter Urlich, they called it quits in 1980 after a series of radio hits. Also to be inducted into the HoF, this time as part of the songwriters’ Silver Scroll awards early October, are Ruru Karaitiana, Pixie Williams and Jim Carter for creating 1949 classic tune “Blue Smoke.”