Hey, who are we speaking with and what’s your role in Tanglewood Festival?
I’m Steph Born and have been organising the event with my brother Leigh and partner Samuel Marton for four years. Having seen more and more music venues close down and being art and music focused ourselves, we wanted to see Melbourne’s hidden talent exposed, so we started French Fest as a not for profit. After three French Fests we’re now working under Born Rhythm Entertainment and will be holding our new event Tanglewood Festival this New Year’s.
Tanglewood Festival provides punters with the opportunity to have a safe and affordable New Year’s bash away from the chaos of the city. What kind of atmosphere should we expect?
We pride ourselves on giving everybody a great show. All the money raised goes straight back into the event. Our small amazing crew, including ourselves, volunteer countless hours to make this event what it is.
We put a lot of effort into production, décor, and art, creating each design and structure ourselves. We source some of the best musicians and producers for top quality sound, and we keep the numbers low creating an intimate experience where everyone looks out for one another. The atmosphere is positive, inclusive, and truly unique.
You aim to highlight Victoria’s amazing musical talent with a versatile lineup including blues, metal, hip hop, reggae and good old fashioned rock’n’roll. Who are some acts that we absolutely need to catch?
They are all acts worth checking out, but some of the highlights would have to be Spoonbill, Tash Sultana, Hypnotech, Funk Form, Reuben Stone, Dub Princess and Isaac Chambers.
The festival has a no dickhead policy. What’s some classic dickhead behaviour that attendees should avoid?
It is all about respect: respect for the crew, artists and other patrons around you. I would hope that people know the difference between good and bad behaviour, but if they don’t it is pretty simple – they will be asked to leave. There are a list of rules that can be viewed on our website, but the biggest one for us at the moment considering the dry, hot summer we have already seen is no fire of any kind. This includes BBQs, fireworks and twirling.
Tanglewood will be held in Thornton, Victoria, just a 90 minute drive from Melbourne’s north. What makes this picturesque location the perfect place to farewell 2015?
It really took my breath away the first time I laid eyes on this site. The journey alone is stunning; the event site is the icing on the cake. It also helps to be working with an amazing local community of people that have been helping us all along the way.
There’ll be a number of reasonably priced food stalls, craft markets and cultural and educational workshops. Can you elaborate on some of these features?
We have sourced some of the tastiest, most nutritious local food stalls to keep everyone fed and happy, from burgers to popcorn, smoothies to Spanish cuisine. It is a BYO event, but we also have the Good Brew Company selling organically brewed cider and craft beers cheaper than chips.
We also have a healing space with tarot reading, massage and an onsite naturopath; workshops including yoga, hula hooping and acrobatics; and a creation station where you can have your face painted for NYE or make a sign to mark your campsite.
There’ll be over 20 market stalls selling local wares, clothing and jewellery, and an art gallery featuring some amazing Melbourne artists doing live art and chainsaw sculptures. A ‘third stage’ where anyone can get up and jam will be new this festival, so anyone can showcase their unique talent.
What is unique about Tanglewood festival in comparison to other Aussie music festivals?
It is all about supporting the local community – the music, art, and the good vibes. We do not have dollar signs in our eyes and we do not just seek big names in the industry, but rather provide genuinely talented musicians with the opportunity to help create the best possible experience for everyone.
TANGLEWOOD FESTIVAL goes down from Wednesday December 30 – Friday January 1 in Thornton, VIC.
