There is nothing quite as transcendently beautiful—yet quintessentially Australian—in the local arts scene as a festival that blends contemporary art, interpersonal expression, boundary-pushing lifestyles, and natural beauty.
Strawberry Fields is so many things to so many people, but at its heart, it remains one of the purest, most ecstatic celebrations of Australian natural beauty, creative expression, and in-your-face larrikinism. In an age of incredible uncertainty for festivals, it stands tall as a pillar of what an event should be.
It’s hard to think of another festival that places so much emphasis on respecting its natural environment, its Indigenous culture and its global responsibility.
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Strawberry Fields Festival marked its 15th anniversary with a record-breaking event that brought 14,000 attendees to Tocumwal, NSW. Held on Yorta Yorta country, the festival balanced its eclectic mix of music and art with a deep respect for the land’s Indigenous heritage. Through storytelling, cultural performances, and community engagement, the festival highlighted the ongoing traditions of the Yorta Yorta people.
The event showcased 84 artists spanning electronic, indie, experimental, and world music genres. Yes, it’s a doof at heart – and there is nothing wrong with that. That said, it’s so much more. International stars and homegrown talent came together in performances that transcended boundaries, highlighting the festival’s role as a showcase for artistic innovation.
The highlight in our opinion was DJ EZ – one of the biggest profiles of any act at the festival, the UKG legend is a master of capturing the festival zeitgeist and his set epitomised the spirit of celebration and eclecticism that Strawberry Fields can deliver. But of course, there is so much more to any Strawberry lineup than that – the challenging and retrospectively beautiful IDM stylings of Circle of Live, featuring Sebastian Mullaert, Sleep D and Kuniyuki. The simplistically-mixed yet sumptuously balanced hip hop perfection of College of Knowledge, drifting us all into a funk-fuelled haze at The Beach stage.
Oh…and TSHA. Pwoah, words don’t quite do justice to just how brilliant a DJ this emerging global sensation is.
From awe-inspiring visual art installations to wellness workshops and theatre performances, attendees could engage in activities that enriched the mind, body, and spirit. The festival’s dedication to creating a holistic environment was evident in every aspect. The Rewash Revolution system diverted over 140,000 single-use plastics from landfill. The Berry system encouraged punters across the festival to clean up not just after themselves, but after each other.
“We’re so proud to have celebrated 15 years of Strawberry Fields, and we can’t wait to come back in 2025,” Festival Director Tara Benney said. “This year’s festival was a testament to the power of music and culture to bring people together and create lasting memories. We are incredibly grateful to the Yorta Yorta people, talented artists, and the town of Tocumwal for making this milestone anniversary one to remember.”
Register for 2025 tickets here. After how quickly this year’s sold out, you’ll need to be quick.
