Overview
FOMO — Australia's clash-free, one-day summer festival — is back for a third year. After a Brisbane debut in 2016, this time, the event is hitting Melbourne for the first time too, with a new evening edition called FOMO by Night, as well as making a return to Sydney and Adelaide.
Leading the program is California's RL Grime, who's been headlining festivals all over the world with his experimental, high energy mash-ups of sound, colour and texture. Hot on his heels is Montreal's Kaytranada, who was here last year and bass lines have had him topping hip hop and dance charts (that is, when he's not collaborating with Alicia Keys or Chance the Rapper).
Meanwhile, New Jersey-based neo-soul singer SZA is making her Australian debut on the back of debut album CTRL, and Texan rapper-singer Post Malone is coming back, after winning a lot of love during his Australian tour earlier this year.
Also on the schedule is Grammy nominee ZHU with a brand new show and a live band, performing tunes from his dark and mesmerising EP Stardustexhalemarrakechdreams, along with London-based Grammy winner Tourist, and LA's Drezo, whose underground house has won admiration from Diplo, Destructo and Porter Robinson, among others.
As always, FOMO is lining up homegrown talent up next to international stars. Representing Australia are The Kite String Triangle, Nina Las Vegas and Sweat It Out signee Dena Amy. Plus, there's an Australia-wide competition on the boil, which will see four emerging local artists join the bill.
FOMO will kick off on Brisbane's Riverstage on Saturday, January 6, before moving to Parramatta Park in Sydney, on Saturday, January 13. Melbourne will get a slightly smaller lineup at their FOMO by Night, which will take place at Festival Hall on Thursday, January 11.
Pre-sales start at 10am on Tuesday, September 5 and general sales on Wednesday, September 6. $1 from every sale is going to music charity Heaps Decent and, if you can't afford your ticket in one fell swoop, you can opt for a payment plan, which lets you pay it off via monthly instalments. Here's the full lineup.
FOMO 2018 LINEUP
RL Grime
Kaytranada
ZHU
Post Malone
SZA
Tourist
The Kite String Tangle
Drezo
Stööki Sound
Nina Las Vegas
Dena Amy
FOMO BY NIGHT 2018 LINEUP
Kaytranada
Post Malone
SZA
The Kite String Tangle
Dena Amy
Mimi
FOMO 2018 DATES
Saturday, January 6 — Riverstage, Brisbane
Sunday, January 7 — Elder Park, Adelaide
Thursday, January 11 — Festival Hall, Melbourne
Saturday, January 13 — Parramatta Park, Sydney
FOMO will take place in January 2018. Tickets go on sale this week. For more info, visit fomofestival.com.au.
Image: Mitch Lowe.