Surry Hills Festival Announces First Acts For 2012

The Surry Hills Festival have dropped their 2012 lineup , fresh with some festival veterans and new talent that is sure to keep with the day's aim of celebrating Australian music, art, food and culture.

Fans can expect the electronic indie sounds of festival-round favourites Tijuana Cartel, the monolithic pop rockers Fire! Santa Rose, Fire!, the hip hop beats of The Tongue, on top of DJ sets from producer Alison Wonderland and a WA's Canyons for a DJ set.

Here's the full list of bands:

Tijuana Cartel, Alison Wonderland, Fire! Santa Rose, Fire!, The Tongue, Canyons (DJ Set), Nantes, Purple Sneakers DJs, The Liberators, Softwar, SOSUEME DJs, Mojo Juju, Slow Blow, True Vibenation, Rhythm Section Showcase, Steve Smyth, Keyim Ba and Madhu.

This year will see the festival come home to the revitalised Prince Alfred Park, providing attendees with a range of new treats to discover on Saturday 27 October. This year it is being run by the team behind Peats Ridge, and Festival Director Matt Grant said, “Surry Hills Festival just brings so much together in one day, different genres of music, markets, gourmet food, great little bars, amazing art, roving performances and so much that you just don't see anywhere else, and the fact that it is the major fundraiser for Surry Hills Neighbourhood Centre just makes it even better.”

The festival's multiple stages, art installations, kids activities and roving performers are due to keep everybody entertained as guests explore market stalls, food outlets and themed outdoor bars, all on top of incredible lineup of bands on offer.

More info on some of the acts:

Tijuana Cartel
Having played Australia's Splendour in the Grass, Bluesfest and Peats Ridge festivals, as well as Germany's Fusion Festival and The Edinburgh Jazz festival in the last year, Tijuana Cartel can be termed as one of Australia's  hardest working bands. Their stage show, bursting with flamenco guitar, brass, afro Cuban percussion and special guests, can now be found at the Surry Hills Festival in October.

Alison Wonderland
One of the country's top female DJ, Alison Wonderland has also trekked the local and international festival circuit, tallying up great gigs to her name, including the Grammys After party in Los Angeles, the Brit Awards in the UK and London's Ministry of Sound. She has a worldwide recording deal with EMI, and is currently recording her first solo record which fans will be sure to get a taste of in Surry Hills.

Fire! Santa Rose, Fire!
The Adelaide-based tech-pop rockers have been busy recording their new album at Sing Sing Studios with UK producer Gareth Parton (Foals, The Go Team), and will follow up their most recent single release Panther Shine with a new track called Codebreaker, which is due to hit the radio just in time for the festival.

The Tongue
With a repertoire that stretched two albums, an EP and three mixtapes with Sydney label Elefant Traks, and experience touring with bands such as Public Enemy and Dizzie Rascal, The Tongue is not to be missed. He has collaborated with the liked of Urthboy, The Bag Raiders and Bertie Blackman, and now his music will be on show in October.

Canyons (DJ set)
After releasing their debut record Keep Your Dreams through modular in 2011, Canyons moulded their club pop sound into a six-piece band and toured nationally, supporting the likes of Justice and Battles, and playing festivals such as Peats Ridge and now the Surry Hills Festival.

Nantes
Indie rockers Nantes are currently recording and producing their debut album with their new single Unsatisfy out now. Their debut single Fly was used for the Unearthed and Renault TV commercials, and they will now bring their post punk and electronic inspired tunes to the festival.

Purple Sneakers DJs
The Sydney-based boys have recently moved away from playing club sets to focus on headlining shows and performing the festival circuit around the country. They have supported the likes of Bloc Party, Miike Snow and La Roux and will bring their sweet DJ set to Surry Hills, just in time for the release of their new single Last One Standing.

The Liberators
With their huge 10-piece sounds of afrobeat, The Liberators have received rave reviews for their debut album which was released early last year, and are set to drop their new record in 2013. The band held their debut gig at the famous Russ Dewbury's A Night At The Jazz Rooms, and will now give fans a treat in October.

Softwar
Softwar are one of Australia's hottest up-and-coming DJ outfits. They are the monthly residents at Slow Blow at Goodgod in Sydney and are regular guests for MTV, Rolling Stone and Gucci. They have a big forthcoming release through Modular and fans can catch them at Parklife before the Surry Hills Festival.