Dust, distortion and dirt bikes: Victoria's wildest hot rod and punk festival, Chopped, is back for round 14.
Chopped festival is roaring back into Carisbrook this September, headlined by Sydney rock’n’roll outfit C.O.F.F.I.N across three chaotic days.
Now heading into its 14th year, Chopped brings together dirt track racing, hot rods, choppers and a heap of Australian punk and garage bands for a weekend that’s equal parts petrol and distortion.
The festival takes place at Carisbrook Raceway & Recreation Reserve, out in Victoria’s Goldfields region, and this year’s Chopped lineup features 21 acts spread across the Main Stage and the roaming Wolfman’s Rambling Truck.
Chopped festival
- 18-20 September
- Carisbrook Raceway & Recreation Reserve, 337 Bucknall Street, Carisbrook
- Tickets here
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The music
Chopped’s Main Stage kicks off at 3pm on both Friday and Saturday, building toward two very different headline slots.
Friday night runs through Dog Watch, Super American Eagle, Thee Long Knights, Stupid Fuck the Silly Clown, Smoke Witch and Where’s Jimmy, before wrapping up with Melbourne punk outfit Public Figures at 10pm.
Saturday’s bill is the bigger one, kicking off with Problem Green and running through The Antics, Techno 666, Hot Machine, Straight Arrows and Party Dozen, before C.O.F.F.I.N close the night out at 10pm.
Away from the Main Stage, Wolfman’s Rambling Truck keeps things moving through the campgrounds and race areas across all three days, starting as early as 8.30am.
The truck’s lineup features Dirtbag, Harold Holt Search Party, Dolls, Pussy Horse, Rattleback, G-String Nicotine and The OK’s rotating through the program, giving festival-goers something to catch between races.
Headliner C.O.F.F.I.N, made up of four Sydney musicians who’ve been playing together since 2005, arrive at Chopped off the back of their sixth studio album, Out In Oslo.
The record’s release is also accompanied by a feature documentary tracing the band’s two-decade history, which has already screened to sold-out crowds across Australia, Europe, the UK and the US.
Burnouts, ink and everything in between
Chopped isn’t just a music festival though; dirt drags run across all three days, alongside a gasser elimination shootout that whittles 16 competitors down to a Sunday final to crown the next Chopped Gasser Lord.
There’s also a dedicated race window called Hard Metal Muscle Madness, built for muscle cars from 1964 to 1978 along with other street freaks and modified rides, where entrants are expected to actually get out on the track rather than just sit for show.
For those more interested in the visual side of things, Chopp’A’ramA brings together tattoo artists and custom motorcycles in an indoor invitational, while the traditional show ‘n’ shine features hot rods, bobbers and customs with daily trophies up for grabs and the option for entrants to take their vehicle out on the dirt.
For anyone sticking around after dark, the Tiki Tavern area runs late into the night with drinks and music, and camping is available on-site for those who’d rather not drive home after a weekend of dust and decibels.
A mix of independent vendors and food trucks will also be set up across the site for the full three days.
For more information, head here.
This article was made in partnership with Chopped.
