The Sounds Loud Festival is not only a free, all ages event, but also a diverse showcasing of both acclaimed and emerging local bands.
The Sounds Loud Festival is not only a free, all ages event, but also a diverse showcasing of both acclaimed and emerging local bands. Last year’s inaugural Sounds Loud Festival enticed over 9000 music fans, and Event Manager Ella Mason expects this year’s festival to be an even grander experience for music lovers of all ages. The 2011 Sounds Loud festival features an impressive line-up that includes the likes of Oh Mercy, The John Steel Singers, Muscles, Stonefield, ILLY, The Melodics and Ruby Rose.
The FReeZA-sponsored event ensures that those who are unable to afford expensive tickets will not miss out on experiencing great live music.“There are so many music festivals held all year round now and these aren’t always accessible to younger audiences or people who may not be able to afford to pay the ticket prices,” says Mason. “The cost of festival tickets can be pretty steep these days, and there are so many people who love their music but just can’t afford to go to these events. Similarly, I’m sure there are many young music fans that have missed out on seeing shows in the past because of licensed venues. Therefore, I’m really glad the Sounds Loud Festival is able to provide an opportunity for people of all ages to watch their favourite bands and discover some new ones in a fun festival setting – all for free.”
Having fervently-adored bands like Bluejuice, Philadelphia Grand Jury, Hungry Kids Of Hungary, Calling All Cars and Behind Crimson Eyes on last year’s line-up seduced a multitude of fans to the inaugural Sounds Loud Festival. “We were incredibly happy with how last year’s festival went,” states Mason. “We hit the mark with our target audience and we had a great range of acts for them to enjoy on the day. It was also great to see the bands themselves having a great time not only on stage but also roaming around the festival, watching the other bands and chatting to fans.In terms of numbers we had 9000 people attend the festival last year, which was very exciting given it was in its first year as the Sounds Loud Festival. This year we have a feeling it will only get bigger and better because of the amazing response we had to last year’s festival.”
The Sounds Loud Festival is a progression of the Moonee Valley Youth Week Festival. “It was a fantastic festival, also free and all ages, and we had a lot of amazing acts come and play for us over the years including Mammal, Cog, British India and Pez,” says Mason. “The festival had gained so much momentum over those six years that we decided it was only natural that the festival evolved in response to its growing popularity. So in 2010 we decided it was time to diversify the line-up, open up the festival to a wider audience, and the Sounds Loud Festival was born.”
What have they done differently this year compared to last year’s preparation? “Because last year was our first festival, we were provided with a lot of great feedback, which we’ve been able to take on board to make the festival even bigger and better,” Mason asserts. “This will also be my last year with the festival as I am starting a family, so naturally I want to make this year’s event the best that it can be.Other than that, not much has changed – we’re still dedicated to giving people the best experience possible.
“It’s very exciting to have such brilliant Aussie acts on the bill,” says Mason, referring to acclaimed bands such as Oh Mercy and The John Steel Singers. “We love giving fans of all ages the chance to check out some of Australia’s best talent for free. I think we’ve got a great DJ line-up this year. Muscles is not just a great DJ but a talented electronic artist in his own right, so we’re very excited to have him. Ruby Rose will no doubt be a lot of fun – we can’t wait for her set. We’ve also got some younger local DJs playing. We like giving local acts the opportunity to show our punters what they’re capable of.”
Having the chance to see emerging bands such as Stonefield and The Melodics emphasises the importance that the festival places on supporting fresh new talent. “It’s always great to be able to give emerging talent the opportunity to showcase themselves on the same stages as these bigger bands,” says Mason. “We always have a good feeling about the up and coming bands we choose to play at the festival, so we hope the punters will love them too.”
Mason affirms that the keys to a successful and rewarding music festival lie inputting the punters first. “That they’re safe and having a good time is our number one priority,” she emphasises. “We love providing people the chance to see some quality acts and emerging talent in a friendly festival setting. I think accessibility is also very important – it’s important to us that our event is free to the public and all ages. And of course, meticulous planning and preparation is crucial when you’re running an event like this one.
“Our basic ethos is to provide people of all ages free access to quality live music in a safe and alcohol-free environment, and we have a great team that makes sure people of all ages can enjoy the day,” Mason avows. “Another great aspect of the festival is that on the day, a lot of the staff including stage crew are young volunteers looking to get work experience in the industry, and this adds to the benefits the festival provides for young people. And lastly, the festival is completely free, so there’s no reason not to come!”
What are Mason’s tips and recommendations for all the excited fans descending on Queens Park next Saturday? “Just to take care of yourself and your friends, so everyone can enjoy the day,” she enthuses. “Weatherwise, Melbourne can be pretty unpredictable, so keep an eye on the forecast and come prepared for all sorts of weather. Other than that, remember to print out a copy of the playing times and get ready to see some really great acts. We’re looking forward to an awesome day.”
The free and all-ages Sounds Loud Festival is in Queens Park, Moonee Ponds on Saturday April 9, featuring Oh Mercy, John Steel Singers, Illy and more. For more information visit www.soundsloudfestival.com.
