Overview
The road back to music festivals in a post-COVID world has been long and bumpy. Many festivals attempted to be among the first to return, announcing dates and lineups before being forced to postpone. One event that has managed to succeed, despite restrictions on mass gatherings, is the new Summer Sounds Festival.
Back in November, it was revealed that Splendour in the Grass organisers Secret Sounds — with the help of the Australian government — were working on a new music festival. An announcement for the Adelaide edition of Summer Sounds Festival followed shortly, with the SA leg of the fest taking place across January with a lineup full of local Australian talent, including Ball Park Music, Bernard Fanning, Mallrat and Ruel.
Now, as the debut edition of the festival wraps up this weekend, Summer Sounds has announced that it's coming to Melbourne. It'll set up shop in the Sidney Myer Music Bowl as part of the summer-long Live at the Bowl event series.
Taking place over four nights, the Melbourne lineup features Ball Park Music, Bernard Fanning, Something for Kate and Spacey Jane — all returning after sets at the Adelaide edition. They'll be joined by King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, Thelma Plum, Tropical F Storm and Rat!hammock. The current lineup of gigs runs from Thursday, February 24–Thursday March 4, with more shows to be announced.
In order to comply with COVID-safe protocols, attendees can book tickets at the private decks, stall tables and balcony seats for groups of two, four or six. This means you're saved the pain of rubbing up against sweaty strangers in the crowd, plus you'll be able to have a dance with your closest friends.
Image: Bernard Fanning by Saige Prime
SUMMER SOUNDS FESTIVAL, MELBOURNE
Thursday, February 25 — Ball Park Music and Thelma Plum
Friday, February 26 — King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard and Tropical F Storm
Saturday, February 27 — Bernard Fanning and Something for Kate
Thursday, March 4 — Spacey Jane and Rat!hammock
Summer Sounds Festival Melbourne will take place at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl as part of Live at the Bowl from Thursday, February 25–Thursday, March 5. Registration for the presale is now open, with presale tickets available from 12pm AEDT on Friday, January 29 — and general ticket sales opening at 9am AEDT on Monday, March 1.
Top image: Summer Sounds Festival Adelaide by Morgan Sette