Overview
Some may call it ambitious, given the mess of uncertainty that 2020 has been. Most will simply celebrate having something big, loud and live to look forward to. But whatever your thoughts, music agency Novel has announced plans for its next huge live music event and you're all invited. Set to take over an undisclosed space on March 7, 2021, and headlined by Berlin DJ great Ben Klock, is Novel's grand post-pandemic debut, Smalltown Street Rave.
The COVID-safe dance party will be the first IRL outing in about 12 months for the group, which is the same crew behind events like Let Them Eat Cake and Pitch Music & Arts. Crowd restrictions have meant that it's been a tough year for the music industry as a whole, with Novel managing to squeeze in just a handful of shows before COVID-19 swooped in. And of course, that's off the back of its 2019 venue dramas, which involved VCAT hearings, a head-to-head with local council and the last-minute relocation of one of its huge Smalltown events.
But next up, Smalltown Street Rave looks set to close curtains on past issues and end Novel's hibernation with a bang. And a big one at that: the team's managed to nab a 5000-person-capacity inner-city venue for the occasion. They're keeping the exact location under wraps for now, but we're told it's in a secluded industrial area, with minimal sound restrictions and acres of space. The secret will be out soon, but in the meantime, just think back to past Novel offerings at sites like Marvel Stadium's underground carpark, St Kilda Foreshore and Werribee Mansion, and let your imagination run wild.
B3 underground car park
There's also no word yet on exactly who will be joining Ben Klock in making excellent use of the Funktion-One Soundsystem, though Novel is, of course, well-known for pulling the big guns. Past Smalltown events have drawn such heavy hitters as DJ KOZE, Nina Kraviz and Stephen Bodzin. For now, just know there'll be international guests among the lineup, with names to be revealed in the coming months.
The music agency is countering the uncertainty that this year's pandemic has thrown our way by initially selling tickets for just 25 percent of the venue's capacity, until future crowd restrictions become a little more predictable. You can snap one up from 12pm this Wednesday, October 7, safe in the knowledge that both refunds and ticket exchanges will be offered in the case of any postponement. Smalltown Street Rave will also be compliant with all regulations, including following a COVID-19 Safe plan.
Smalltown Street Rave is set to takeover a yet-to-be-announced Melbourne location from 12–11pm on Sunday, March 7. Tickets go on sale from 12pm, Wednesday, October 7. You can grab yours here.
Top image: Let Them Eat Cake