Headlined by Josh Teskey, the annual festival features a huge list of the hottest local music talent.
The three-day Aireys Open Mic Music Festival spectacular has unveiled its star-studded, strong local lineup after announcing it would go ahead this March in a modified format.
Returning for its 15th year, the festival will take over this coastal town from Friday 18 – Sunday 20 March with headliner (aka Mystery Guest) Josh Teskey from The Teskey Brothers alongside a slew of artists spanning a range of genres, from punk, psychedelic and indie rock, to Americana, folk, soul, pop and ska, delivering something for absolutely everyone.
What you need to know
- Aireys Open Mic Music Festival is set to take over this coastal town from Friday 18 – Sunday 20 March
- The festival has just dropped its massive lineup, featuring a slew of quality Victorian talent
- Josh Teskey will headline the event this year
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Having announced in January that the festival was to be postponed due to concerns about the rapid spread of the Omicron variant of COVID-19, the beloved open mic festival has turned it around and put together an event that remains true to its mission statement, giving artists a chance to perform in front of an appreciative audience and to encourage a love of music.
“The last two years have seen uncertainty become a huge part of our lives, more than ever before. The pandemic has forced us to rethink our ways and embrace opportunity. When faced with change, we adapt then thrive. The Aireys Inlet Open Mic Festival is no stranger to this,” the festival said.
“The entertainment industry in all forms has been decimated and we wish to give our artists a small taste of what recovery can look like. We have nurtured and supported countless artists over the past fourteen years and we think now is the time to pay them their dues.
“With that in mind, we are keeping the Aireys Inlet Music Festival running in 2022. The chance to sing, to dance, to celebrate is important. Music provides that.”
Joining Josh Teskey, who will perform live in the beer garden on Friday night, the lineup also includes the likes of Checkerboard Lounge, Forever Son, Owsley, Mojo Corner, Smoke Stack Rhino, CJ Commerford and the Supertones, Honk, Strathmore Collective, Lucy Lorenne, Libby Steel, Dear Buffalo, Seb Szabo, Localles, Tin Pot Clayman, among many others.
Some are names you’ll recognise from the local touring circuit, while others are emerging musicians ready to share their talent and love of music to an adoring crowd across stages at the Gin Tasting Room, The Captain of Aireys, Ala Grecque, Great Ocean Road Mini Golf and of course the Aireys Pub.
As always the homegrown festival usually adopts the ‘donate what you feel it’s worth’ approach, allowing guests to enjoy the open mic acts with a festival donation. Alongside the free events, this year a weekend pass will be available for $30, alongside $20 for the Friday evening with Josh Teskey, $10 for either Saturday day or night while Sunday afternoon remains completely free. Importantly, 100 per cent of ticket sales go directly to the artists.
Providing a fantastic opportunity for musicians and with annual attendance at over 5000 across the three days – you know this year’s festival is going to be the one of its most innovative and inspiring yet… especially in a time where the industry and all its workers have endured the most difficult few years of their lives.
We can’t wait to see you again, Aireys.
You can buy tickets to the Aireys Inlet Open Mic Festival here.
