Answered by: Glenn Wright, Festival Director
What makes your event stand out from other festivals? We are small; we are in a small town (Mullumbimby); we are unpretentious. Affordable prices, [lots of] toilets, dancefloors and chairs, and drinks at normal everyday club prices make our event stand out. Punters can get up close and personal with the performers as there are no VIP areas. The music is always good too!
What’s improved for your next event? Nothing really. 12 years in and we just do what we do. Always fun and always a good mix of diverse performers. Always special and never boring. Kind of like a big party in every venue in a small town.
How is the festival landscape changing? Not really changing. All the good events continue and all the average ones struggle. There seems to be more smaller ones, but its cyclical.
What do you think will be some of your guaranteed highlights from your upcoming festival? Nana Stern (Chile), Will & The People (UK) and Joe Pug (US). Also the piano bar, with random guests, is always a favourite. Mojo Juju is amazing and Husky's Gideon [Preiss] and Husky [Gawenda] are also organising a late-night club each night of the festival, something a little special.
What’s the best way for up-and-coming artists to see their name on your bill? Practise, practise, practice... ha ha. I'd say the Youth Mentorship program is good if you're under 20 years of age. Applications now open. If you're older, then I think just get out there and gig, and apply each year.
How do you go about ensuring your festival is a safe space? We attempt to program a diverse event, with music from all over the world and all sorts of people and all sorts of performers. No biases of age, sex or anything else. We put up some decor. People are happy with pretty decor. Be inclusive and put up some bunting.
Do you think governments have a place in regulating festivals as has happened in NSW recently? Yes, but they need to be careful not [to] put all events in the same bag. It's ridiculous to compare all events together. It's just dumb to think an event that attracts 12-year-olds and 70-year-olds has the same challenges as a targeted youth event. They just don't. The amount of antisocial behaviour is reduced dramatically by the style of event organisers choose to put on.
