Aussie fans are pretty much spoiled for choice when it comes to music festivals, and you don’t have to be a diehard industry expert to have noticed that the pool of new boutique events is steadily growing in tandem with the bigger name national festivals.

In fact, sometimes it’s hard to keep up, so we’ve handpicked a number of festivals that may not draw the same blockbuster attention as your Big Day Outs, Splendours, and Bluesfests but deserve your attendance just the same with an interesting range of lineups, themes, settings, and ideas. Remember bigger isn’t always better.

From New South Wales to Western Australia and in-between, here’s six music festivals we think you should totally considering snapping a ticket to.

Circó Festival 2014

Where? Claremont Showground Pavillions, Graylands Road, Claremont – Perth, WA
When? Saturday 28th June  
Why? Following its inaugural launch last year with an attendance of over 4,000, boutique music festival Circó is returning for 2014 and bringing a killer lineup of local and international talent with it. Presented by creative collectives Metric and I.C.S.S.C., organisers promise “the most intimate, rewarding concert experience possible, keeping fans up-close and personal with the rising artists they love.”

Headlining is Brisbane’s festival-honed, mosh-starting Violent Soho and Bloc Party frontman Kele Okereke in his solo electronic guise. Other international acts include cross-dressing New York female rapper Mykki Blanco, French hip hop beatmaker Onra, Finnish expermentalist Teeth, Norfolk’s Sully, and gritty garage from DJ Q. Locally there’s plenty to enjoy, including The Kite String Tangle, Perth wonder Sable, former Triple J host Nina Las Vegas, and the much-hyped DMA’s. Plus, Circó will also feature two Perth-based visual projection artists – Combs and Shadow Data – to enhance the festival night-time skyline.

Who’s Playing?
Violent Soho, Kele, Nina Las Vegas, Onra, The Kite String Tangle, Touch Sensitive, Mykki Blanco, Teeth, Sully, DJ Q, DMA’s, Basenji, Golden Features, and more to be announced.
Tickets: start from $89 (+b/f) more info at http://events.ticketbooth.com.au/event/Circo2014

Come Together 2014

UPDATE 28/05: Come Together 2014 has been cancelled due to poor ticket sales. Full story here.
Where? Big Top Luna Park, Sydney NSW
When? Queen’s Birthday Long Weekend, 7th June, 2014
Why? Last year marked Come Together’s 10th anniversary edition, so with a decade’s experience you know the Aussie hip hop festival is going to roll out another stellar event this year – same time, same venue.

Then there’s the lineup, featuring – as organisers put it, “the biggest, brightest and baddest names in Oz hip-hop.” Topping the bill is ARIA-charting Melbourne MC Kerser, arriving following the release of his second album No Rest For The Sickest. Joining him on the lineup are scene veterans Funkoars, Sydney duo Jackie Onassis, rising star Remi, Africa-via-Melbourne’s Diafrix, Canberra wordsmith Citizen Kay, and more for less than 50 bucks. With that list of names, price, and an exciting setting, Come Together ticks all the festival boxes.
Who’s Playing?  Kerser, Funkoars, Jackie Onassis, Remi, Diafrix, Citizen Kay, Briggs, Mr. Hill And Rahjconkas, Miracle, Mind Over Matter
Tickets: $49 (+b/f) more info at http://www.cometogether.com.au

Bass In The Grass 2014

Where? Darwin Amphitheatre, Darwin NT
When? Saturday 24th May
Why? Already established as one of the biggest and best music events in the Northern Territory, this 12 hour all-ages festival is now entering its 12th year, even scoring a $350k Grant from NT Chief Minister Adam Giles. More importantly for music lovers, Bass In The Grass 2014 has scored a stellar lineup for this year’s some 6,500 patrons.

From Aussie rock legends The Living End tearing up the Darwin Amphitheatre, to Hottest 100-topping songsmith Vance Joy soothing the crowds, there’s something to satisfy every kind of music fan. Hardcore (the mighty The Amity Affliction), hip hop (mixtape star Allday and Jackie Onassis), electro-pop (Melbourne songbird Owl Eyes), dance (Peking Duk), and – in probably the biggest coup – a surprise DJ set planned from the previously shelved Pendulum, by members El Hornet and Verse.
Who’s Playing?  The Living End, Pendulum DJs, Vance Joy, The Amity Affliction, Peking Duk, Allday, Justice Crew, Owl Eyes, Jackie Onassis, and more.
Tickets: $70 (+b/f) more info at bassinthegrass.com.au/2014/tickets

State Of The Art 2014

Where? Perth Cultural Centre, Perth WA
When? Saturday 31st May
Why? If you’re out west at the end of the month, there’s no better place to be than at SOTA festival; how does 10 hours of music from 34 artists across four stages sound? Presented by Celebrate WA in partnership with WAM, State Of The Art is now entering its third annual year of showcasing the state’s top-tier talent and this year’s lineup is no exception.

Headlining the event is hip-hop extraordinaire Drapht, along with two of WA’s most celebrated bands – alt rock mainstays Eskimo Joe and indie-pop darlings San Cisco. There’s also The Stems, performing their first show in four years with a new lineup, the classy Blackeyed Susans, legendary Scientists ringleader Kim Salmon, plus two of Spinning Top’s finest in siren Felicity Groom and a DJ Set from Tame Impala frontman Kevin Parker. And with tickets at $35 a pop, its huge value-for-money as well.

Who’s Playing? Drapht, Eskimo Joe, San Cisco, The Stems, The Blackeyed Susans, The Kill Devil Hills, Optamus, Kim Salmon, Felicity Groom, Mathas, Kevin Parker (Tame Impala) DJ Set, Sable, Split Seconds, Axe Girl, Gunns, Kučka, and more.
Tickets: $35 (+b/f) more info at sotafest.com.au

Festival Of Voices 2014

Where? Hobart, TAS
When? Friday 4th July – Sunday 13th July, 2014
Why? This Tasmanian festival is marking its 10th anniversary this year, and if you’ve yet to be immersed in the Hobart-based event that focuses on talented singers and the power of the human voice, there’s no better time than now. This year features 10 days of concerts, public events, and special workshops, most hosted by music-making artists.

The extensive 2014 program includes a headline performances from Ben Lee, who is also hosting a 90-minute vocal workshop, the ARIA-winning Clare Bowditch, also leading a three-hour performance class, and American a capella group The Exchange, tipping the lot with a five-day workshop class.

Other highlights include performances from Tex Perkins, with trusty guitar sidekick Charlie Owen, Deborah Conway and Willy Zygier performing songs from new album Stories Of Ghosts, plus choral concerts from the 30-strong bilingual group Big World, Small Voices and highly acclaimed male vocal ensemble, The Spooky Men’s Chorale.

Who’s Playing? Ben Lee, Clare Bowditch, The Exchange, Tex Perkins & Charlie Owen, Deborah Conway & Willy Zygier, Big World, Small Voices, The Spooky Mens’ Chorale, Bonfire And Big Sing, Ali McGregor, Eric Dozier, David Lawrence, and more.
Tickets: Full program info and tickets available at https://festivalofvoices.com/

No Good: Winter 2014

Where? Petersham Bowling Club, Petersham NSW
When? Queen’s Birthday Long Weekend June 8th, 2014
Why? If your ears are craving to be introduced some far-out sounds and emerging artists, this is the festival for you. Spawned from the series of No Good: Monthly parties hosted by Sydney label No Good, this brand new boutique festival focuses on the city’s more eclectic music-makers, bringing a melting pot of artists to the inaugural launch of what will be a quarterly event.

Among the list of artists on the bill that fit No Good’s ethos of “genuine, inventive music that comes firmly from the left of centre” are two acts that we’ve previously spotlighted over on The Profile, specifically the multi-cultural ethno-pop of Rainbow Chan and the experimental hyper-duo Yon Yonson (whose Hypomantra was also ranked in our list of great albums you can download for free). They’re just a sample of the nearly 20-strong bill of bands, DJs, producers, and other outré musicians. Come discover your new favourite band before someone else does.
Who’s Playing? Rainbow Chan, Maatzi, Loose Change, Simo Soo, Moon Holiday, Jasper Clifford Smith, Yon Yonson, Reckless Vagina, Nakagin, Tees, Tanned Christ, and more.
Tickets: $35 (+b/f) via oztix.com.au

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