After 16 years with Laneway Festival, Jessie Parker – who’s been the General Manager / Festival Director for the past six years – has stepped down from the long-running travelling event.
Parker announced her departure on LinkedIn yesterday (17 August), announcing that she’ll be leaving the role at the end of the month.
“After 16 years with Laneway Festival, and six incredible years at the helm as General Manager / Festival Director, it is time for me to wrap up this chapter and step down at the end of this month,” Parker wrote.
In 2010, Parker joined the Laneway team as an Event Assistant. She moved through the ranks of the festival team, eventually becoming its General Manager and Festival Director of Australia and New Zealand.
“Reflecting on where it all started back in 2010 as an Event Assistant, I never could have imagined the wild, rewarding journey ahead,” Parker continued. “To go from managing resident comms and running accred around the site, to leading six simultaneous touring events across Australia and New Zealand has been the privilege of a lifetime.”
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Parker’s announcement arrives during an incredible time for Laneway Festival. Last year, the event won the inaugural ARIA Award for Best Festival and was crowned the Music Event of the Year in New Zealand earlier this year.
“The true highlight has always been the work behind the scenes,” she wrote. “Championing our industry through my work on the Australian Festivals Association board and the NSW Music Festivals Roundtable has been deeply meaningful during a transformative era for live music.
“More than anything, I am endlessly grateful for the people. The crews, suppliers, venues, artists, and team members I met early on - many of whom I’m still lucky enough to work alongside today, are what made this job so special.”
While Parker announced her departure from Laneway Festival and expressed so much gratitude for the numerous opportunities she experienced, she didn’t reveal what’s coming next in her career.
However, Parker did note, “As I turn the page, I am excited for what comes next and fully open to new opportunities. Thank you to everyone who has been part of this ride!”
Laneway Festival returns to Australia and New Zealand in 2027. But last week, it was announced that the event won’t be stopping in Adelaide and Perth next year.
Laneway organisers promised that further information regarding the 2027 editions of the festival in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, and Auckland will arrive soon. Presumably, this will include venues and dates, with the full line-up to follow shortly after.
Earlier this year, Laneway celebrated its 21st birthday, with Chappell Roan headlining the event, joined by international names such as Wet Leg, Wolf Alice, PinkPantheress, Geese, Lucy Dacus, and more.
