Meredith Announces Primal Scream, Spiritualized, Turbonegro and Many More

In just a few short months, thousands will descend upon the Meredith Supernatural Ampitheatre in regional Victoria for the 22nd annual Meredith Music Festival. Is the line up any good? Of course it is.

Primal Scream, Spiritualized, Four Tet, Turbonegro, Grimes, Sunnyboys, Omar Souleyman, Regurgitator, Big Jay McNeely, Chet Faker, Rahzel & DJ JS-1, Royal Headache, Pond, Twerps, Saskwatch, Hot Snakes, Snakadaktal, DJ Yamantaka Eye, J.B. Smoove, Earthless, Toot Toot Toots, Brous, Bittersweet Kicks, The Town Bikes, Otologic, Fraser A Gorman & Big Harvest, Angus Sampson, City Of Ballarat Municipal Brass Band

Listen to it here, scroll down to hear us crap on about it.

Primal Scream:

Well, they're legends. It's as simple as that really. Since the mid-'80s Primal Scream have been pumping out ludicrously good music that has on occasion crossed some pretty massive genre barriers, particularly given when it was released. Their Screamadelica record is one of those albums that just about every household owns and if you don't have a copy you should probably get one, but they've got a million other great songs to choose from, which they'll no doubt be doing at Meredith this year.

Turbonegro:

While we thought they may have been out here for a different festival, we have to say that getting to see Turbonegro – one of the greatest rock'n'roll bands on the planet – in the Supernatural Ampitheatre is something that we are absolutely losing our minds over. If you're a Turbonegro fan then you don't need us to tell you why this is such an amazing prospect, if you aren't then you probably will be by the time their set is over. They haven't been here in almost ten years and, while they might have a new frontman, we still can't fucking wait.

Spiritualized:

One of those bands who are almost custom made for the Supernatural Ampitheatre experience, the drugged out psychedelic rock of Spiritualized is best manifested in classic album Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating In Space, though it must be said that their latest effort Sweet Heart Sweet Light sees them in pretty good touch, which bodes well for a top notch performances at the end of the year. They certainly delivered when they were last here so we're confident they'll do so again.

Grimes:

The dark indietronica of Grimes is something that many people have wanted to see live ever since her obscure debut became not so obscure anymore last year. And it's fair to say a deadset fuckload of people have been added to the list of people keen on seeing her since the release of the magical Visions record earlier this year. She's one of the hottest acts in indie music right now and she's playing the first night of this year's Meredith.

Four Tet:

The past half a decade or so has seen Four Tet quickly become renowned as one of the real greats of modern electronic music, with the kind of music that can appeal to your average non-dance music fan as well as those who are more electronically incline. Kieran Hebden has a real knack for creating tasteful tunes using synthesized instruments but creating an altogether organic feel. We can feel this as one of those very early morning sets you just can't miss.

Sunnyboys:

We couldn't even believe it when we heard they were playing the Hoodoo Gurus invitational Dig It Up! show earlier this year and we couldn't stop pinching ourselves when news of the Sunnyboys playing Meredith came through a couple of weeks back. They have a bag of songs that rate up there with some of the finest to have ever come out of this country and getting to actually see them perform live is so rare a treat we can't stress the fact enough. Tears, sing-alongs, punching the air, dancing… expect all of this and more from when these masters hit the Meredith stage this year.

Omar Souleyman:

One of Syria's most fascinating musical exports, Omar Souleyman has spent the past few years touring extensively and starting parties everywhere he goes. He's also done more than a little collaborating, most famously with an artist by the name of Björk. A unique talent for an Australian festival that will likely have plenty of people opening their minds.

Regurgitator:

One of those bands that came out of that awfully fertile mid-'90s Australian alternative scene and still manage to go pretty hard without sucking. Regurgitator turn 20 next year, so what better way to celebrate the end of their teens than by partying like a motherfucker to some of their finest tunes.

Big Jay McNeely:

Didn't see this one coming; Big Jay McNeely isn't a household name and you might not even be all that familiar with any of his songs, but he is one of the truly great rhythm'n'blues sax players in history. We can't even believe he's still going and can't help but wonder if, at 85-years-of-age, McNeely is the oldest man to grace the festival as a performer or punter. Go for educational purposes; stay because it's going to be a fucking awesome party.

Chet Faker:

If you haven't heard of this 23-year-old bedroom producer by now then you're mixing with the wrong kinds of people. Chet Faker has been slated as a genuine next-big-thing possibility and we can't help but agree with that. It was Blackstreet's No Diggity that got him well known to begin with, but it'll be his own brand of downbeat indie groove that gets him across the line.

Rahzel & DJ JS-1:

He is the Human Beatbox. No, we mean it. He is the Human Beatbox. There are plenty of people who try and take Rahzel's title of being the best human beatbox in the world, but no one can touch him, as you'll see in December.

Pond:

One of the million bands from that great Perth psych scene right now, Pond are probably the most intense rock'n'roll band out of the lot of them, with plenty of big riffs, feedback and soaring pop hooks to basically make you want to punch your fist in the air and maybe, just a little bit, wish it was 1977.

Twerps:

They released one of the best guitar pop records we have ever heard come out of this country last year and even after playing said record to death we can't get enough of Twerps. They will be perfect fodder for a lazy, hungover afternoon on the hill of the ampitheatre; beer and sausage sandwich in hand.

J.B. Smoove:

Look, he's done plenty of great stuff over the years, but we just want you to watch this video. It's NSFW and not fit for anyone who is easily and maybe not so easily offended, but it's also one of the funniest things ever.

Saskwatch:

The Melbourne funk scene is really shining right now and Saskwatch are one of the bands who are making it so. This bunch of great musicians proved they can party at Golden Plains and make an almost immediate return for a dose of Meredith action.

Hot Snakes:

They're back together and they're probably just as good as we remember them; we fucking hope so. Hot Snakes outta San Diego feature some of your favourite members of bands like Rocket From the Crypt, Drive Like Jehu, Night Marchers and OFF!, but they're fucking awesome just the way they are as well. There will be plenty of people pinching themselves with this news.

Snakadaktal:

One of the most rapidly rising bands in the country in goodness knows how long, this kids are legitimately packing out massive venues all by themselves thanks to their dreamy brand of indie-pop. They're a nice counter point to what is largely a pretty heavy rock leaning bill.

DJ Yamantaka Eye:

He's a master. As leader of Boredoms he has been responsible for some pretty incredible and heavuily experimental music and as a DJ… well let's just say he might scare the shit out of you this December (in the very finest of ways).

Earthless:

Another heavy psych act who will make you lose your mind when they hit the stage on the Friday night of Meredith this year. Earthless are an instrumental power trio who are going to rip a hole in your brain and you'll love every second of it.

Toot Toot Toots:

One of the most loved (relatively) new bands coming out of Melbourne town right now, the Toot Toot Toots released an ambitious debut record this year that saw them widen their fan base significantly and you can bet there'll be more than a few dedicated fans ready to hear their very fun take on country music.

Royal Headache:

Honestly we've completely run out of hyperbolic comments to make about this band. They're definitely one of the best rock bands we've heard in years – from Australia or elsewhere – their eponymous debut is a garage rock masterpiece with incredible songs and a perfect production aesthetic and one of the finest vocalists in the country, Shogun, slamming it out with sweetness and epic power. We really like Royal Headache and we are looking forward to going batshit crazy when they play.

Brous:

She's been a little quiet over the past few months, but we haven't forgotten about Brous and her incredible voice. She'll add a certain class to proceedings when she hits the Meredith stage this year.

Bittersweet Kicks:

Just another of the great rock bands on a great rock line up; Bittersweet Kicks are probably going to be one quite early but will be the kind of band everyone talks about all day. Don't miss out on the fun, they go pretty hard.

Otologic:

A great DJ duo, that's for sure. But if you realise that you're watching (and listening to) them DJ, then you are up very late and probably shouldn't even both going to bed (so long as you're not driving anywhere the next day).

Angus Sampson:

Just hanging out, having a few beers and a good time? Maybe he'll tell some really funny jokes? Perhaps he'll sing with Earthless? Maybe he'll enlist you to appear in a film project he's working on? We have no fucking idea.

Fraser A. Gorman & Big Harvest:

Fraser A. Gorman has been kicking around the Melbourne scene for a while, playing a faithful kind of country gospel that is awfully sweet. This year he gets his first shot at the Meredith title and we're sure he won't let you down. Another potential contender for best hangover cure of the festival.

City Of Ballarat Municipal Brass Band:

A traditional Meredith favourite; the festival just would not be the same without them. Definitely more entertaining than you're guessing they would be and always a shitload of fun.

Head to the Meredith website to enter the ticketing ballot before 10pm on Tuesday 21 August. The first round of lucky ballot winners will be notified this morning (they've already been drawn, dudes) and the second round comes out on Thursday 23 August. Tickets are once again going to cost $279 + bf ($9) + postage ($5.50).

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