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Tent Pole: A Musical Jamboree
4th October, 2023TENT POLE: A MUSICAL JAMBOREE
RETURNS IN 2024
FEATURING DINOSAUR JR., MOGWAI, CALEXICO AND MORE!
SATURDAY 17 FEBRUARY 2024
MT DUNEED ESTATE, WADAWURRUNG (GEELONG)
PRESALE STARTS MONDAY 9 OCTOBER – EARLY BIRD TICKETS AVAILABLE!
Mark your calendars and get ready to turn the festival experience on its head once again because the Surf Coast’s highly anticipated Tent Pole: A Musical Jamboree is back! We’re stoked to reveal it will return on Saturday 17 February at Geelong’s Mt Duneed Estate.
“We might just do this again,” was the collective sentiment of everyone involved at the conclusion of this year’s unforgettable debut. And do this again we will, with next year’s Tent Pole promising to be even bigger and better with amps proudly turned up to 11!
Featuring 10 incredible artists across two stages, the colourful and carefully curated line-up features an array of artists spanning various genres and eras. Headlining the next instalment of Tent Pole are legendary US alternative rock band DINOSAUR JR. – playing their seminal album, 1993’s Where You Been in full – plus renowned Scottish indie pioneers MOGWAI; Arizona desert noir, nu-folk, alt-country legends CALEXICO; Melbourne powerhouse CASH SAVAGE AND THE LAST DRINKS; revered post-punk rockers RVG; Melbourne punksters CIVIC; one-of-a-kind techno artist OUR CARLSON; garage post-punks DELIVERY; Frankston’s own indie pop purveyors THE BELAIR LIP BOMBS; and alt-rock singer-songwriter AL MATCOTT.
Tickets go on sale Friday 13 October at 2.00pm local time from Ticketmaster with a day on the green, AAMI and Love Police members’ presale beginning Monday 9 October at 2.00pm local time. With a bill bursting with revered, respected and rising stars, get in quick and secure your discounted early bird tickets for just *$169.90. Children under 12 admitted free. Return buses are available from Melbourne, Laverton, Werribee, Torquay and Geelong. Or catch the train – Waurn Ponds Station is just 90 minutes from Southern Cross, and limited shuttle buses will be running to and from the venue. And V/Line daily fares are capped at less than $10!
Celebrating 30 years of their much-loved landmark album, 1993’s Where You Been, DINOSAUR JR. will play the seminal record in its entirety followed by a set of songs from the band’s extensive catalogue. It will undoubtedly be an explosive performance when they close Tent Pole’s main stage. Consisting of original trio, J Mascis, Lou Barlow and Murph, it’s the band’s first visit to Australia since 2017.
Sonic architects MOGWAI bring their magnificent and mesmerising soundscapes to the Tent Pole stage. The hugely influential band have released several critically acclaimed albums over their 25-year career, with their latest, As The Love Continues, scoring the band their first UK number one in 2021. Their live shows are legendary, taking the audience on the most epic of journeys.
CALEXICO fuse the dusty sounds of the American Southwest with spaghetti western soundtracks, ’60s surf rock, cool jazz, Americana, alt-country and a broad spectrum of Latin influences, creating a unique and distinctive sound described as ‘desert noir’. Formed in 1996, CALEXICO continue to break new ground and released their 10th studio album in 2022, El Mirador.
Prepare for iconic, indie, lo-fi, hi-fi, post-punk, alternative, renegade rock. Showcasing a diverse line-up of acts, ranging from up-and-coming, breakthrough and ground-breaking emerging artists to well-established, influential musicians and iconic, seminal bands. So magnificent, it will take two stages to contain them all! Arrive early and discover your next favourite band.
Tent Pole is a collaboration between Roundhouse Entertainment (the team behind Australia’s iconic outdoor summer concert series a day on the green), Love Police (led by music maverick Brian ‘BT’ Taranto, promoter of excellent international tours Out On The Weekend & Boogie, merch guru, book publisher and record label wiz) and Johann Ponniah, founder of I OH YOU (home to one of the country’s most successful independent record labels). They are combining their decades of expertise in booking the finest bands from all over the globe to give music fans the ultimate experience.
Roundhouse Entertainment Director Michael Newton says: “Our first Tent Pole event was so much fun, from the moment we started talking about it until the after-show beers! It’s great to be back.”
BT of Love Police, says: “The vibe created this year by the punters and the bands, and the spirit of good times will live on! It’s a privilege to be able to help curate the tunes again and deliver it to the sweet Surf Coast.”
Johann Ponniah of I OH YOU, says: “I had an absolute blast at the inaugural Tent Pole earlier this year and am so stoked with the line-up for ’24. Pumped to hit the Surf Coast again!”
In a celebration of timeless tunes and cutting-edge sounds, Tent Pole promises to deliver an unforgettable day and bring together music lovers from all walks of life with fans enjoying an unparalleled unique musical experience.
“When you have the right people on the job, with the right attitudes and the right connections, amazing things are possible. And so it was that those savvy enough to heed the call of the inaugural Tent Pole festival scored a golden ticket to an intimate chilled music fest like no other. So many happy punters. Cannot wait to see what incredible surprises they pull out for the next one. 5 Fuchsias out of 5! Gig Bill
“Tent Pole was a fabulous showcase of heavier and cerebral rock.” Music Feeds
Tent Pole is a family-friendly, inclusive, welcoming event that encourages people of all ages to come and enjoy the experience. Children under 12 are free, with games and activities designed for friends, families and fellow music fans to relax together. Beyond the captivating sounds on the stages, attendees can revel in a variety of interactive installations, relax in shaded chillout areas for some sensory and sonic downtime, enjoy a variety of delicious food and drinks, as well as a wide range of merch and records for sale at our curated marketplace.
“With no clashes and only two stages, each act had their moment to shine … The day’s vibes sat at the pleasant axis of family-friendly, with picnic blankets and snack spreads littered over the grass, and high-energy rock punting … meaning there was an enjoyable option for everyone.” Mixdown
“Including up-and-coming acts as well as familiar favourites, it was clear that a lot of thought went into putting this bill together. Musically and atmospherically, I would call Tent Pole a great success. Let’s hope it is the first of many to follow in its ilk.” What’s My Scene
Sign up here for membership details, and for the latest information and updates on all things Tent Pole, follow us on socials.
Tent Pole: A Musical Jamboree. Moments of magic to excite all palates. Ten acts. Two stages. And a no-holds-barred attack on your aural senses. Come for the music, stay for the experience.
Tickets on sale Friday 13 October at 2.00pm local time from Ticketmaster. Early bird tickets on sale from Monday 9 October at 2.00pm local time.
ARTIST BIOS
AL MATCOTT
A firm staple of Melbourne’s live scene, alt-rock singer-songwriter AL MATCOTT finds inspiration in classical literature, philosophy, poetry and bands like Interpol and A Place To Bury Strangers. His songs are punctuated with masterful songwriting craft, engrossing lyricism, caterwauling guitars, a blistering rhythm section and a dark, despairing mood. His forthcoming debut album Summer’s Coming, released in November through Cheersquad Records & Tapes, takes his songwriting to scorching new heights, and features collaborations with Freya Josephine Hollick, Jack Ladder, Kate Dillon and Taylor Hollingsworth of Conor Oberst’s Mystic Valley Band.
CALEXICO
Fittingly named after a town on the border of California and Mexico, CALEXICO fuse the dusty sounds of the American Southwest with spaghetti western soundtracks, ’60s surf rock, cool jazz, Americana and a broad spectrum of Latin influences, creating a unique and distinctive sound described as ‘desert noir’. Formed in 1996 by Joey Burns and John Convertino, CALEXICO continue to break new ground and released their 10th studio album in 2022, El Mirador, a kaleidoscopic beacon of rock, bluesy ruminations, and Latin American sounds. Their music is a unique and immersive listening experience, and after decades on the road their music remains boundless and romantic.
CASH SAVAGE AND THE LAST DRINKS
A pillar of Melbourne’s music and queer communities, Cash Savage has spent the past decade making tough and tender rock’n’roll with her colossal band, The Last Drinks, a powerhouse of fierce and brooding energy. Their legendary live shows – a cathartic and communal experience – are an overwhelming flood of emotion and sound, with magnetic frontwoman Cash Savage at the centre of the storm. Their latest album, the critically acclaimed So This Is Love, is a commentary on fragile mental health, a fragile economy and the fragility of the environment and personal relationships and has been nominated for an ARIA Award, Music Victoria Award and National Live Music Award.
CIVIC
CIVIC are one of the most exhilarating and exciting bands to emerge in recent years, dreamed up in 2017 by charismatic frontman Jim McCullough as a musical project inspired by iconic Australian punk acts like Radio Birdman and the Saints. A captivating live act defined by masterfully controlled chaos, the Melbourne-based five-piece’s latest album Taken By Force was produced by their hero, Radio Birdman’s Rob Younger. Hailed by The Guardian as a “band to watch”, their dynamic and frenetic sound has earned them massive critical acclaim as well as admiration from the likes of punk legend Henry Rollins.
DELIVERY
Delivering a sharp punch of garage, post-punk and new wave, Melbourne five-piece DELIVERY released their debut LP Forever Giving Handshakes in 2022, a 12-track “catchy as can be” garage-punk opus with one clear group mission – to rock! "Underneath the rapid-fire vocal delivery, intricate guitar interplay is rife; it's always a case of more is more,” declared Tone Deaf, with NME giving the album 4 out of 5, stating the band “have debuted with one of the year’s best local punk albums”.
DINOSAUR Jr.
Iconic rock band DINOSAUR JR. formed in Massachusetts in 1984, founded by J Mascis, Lou Barlow and Murph. Known for their dynamic and raw sound, they have released some of the most influential albums of the past 40 years. Their distinctive blend of alternative, rock, punk and indie rock, characterised by their signature loud, raw, fuzzy, distorted guitar-driven sound, melodic hooks and introspective lyrics, saw the band solidify their reputation as influential figures in the alternative rock scene. DINOSAUR JR. have released several critically acclaimed albums and remain a force in the indie rock scene, releasing their 12th studio album in 2021, Sweep It Into Space.
MOGWAI
Scottish rockers MOGWAI formed in Glasgow in 1995. Almost 30 years since their inception, the sonic architects have carved out a niche entirely their own. Transcendent and atmospheric, magnificent and mesmerising – often copied, but never bettered – the band continue to experiment with new instrumentations and technology. The hugely influential band have released several critically acclaimed (and mainly instrumental) albums and classic songs over their 25-year career, with their latest album, As The Love Continues, scoring the band their first UK number one in 2021. With legendary live shows, you may know what to expect from MOGWAI, but you will never get the same!
OUR CARLSON
Electronic producer and DJ OUR CARLSON feels like Café del Mar meets Toecutter blasting from the back of a VL Commodore in the carpark of Highpoint Shopping Centre circa 2000. Naming himself after “Our Kylie”, OUR CARLSON doesn’t hold back on his 2021 debut EP A Bit Much; his writing is both funny and frustrated as he speaks to the experience of living and of being diagnosed with epilepsy at age 33. Ranting over dance club and break beats, his music is honest and from the heart, pulling at heart strings, one relatable and witty existential crisis after another.
RVG
Revered Melbourne band RVG released their highly anticipated third album Brain Worms in June to critical and mass acclaim. Big and bombastic, The Guardian called it, “One of Australia’s finest,” with Rolling Stone declaring, “The sound of a band at the height of their rock powers”! After a momentous first five years which saw them find critical acclaim for debut A Quality of Mercy and land on countless end-of-year Best-Of lists, RVG then released their sophomore album, 2020’s Feral. Led by the charismatic Romy Vager on vocals and guitar, they are one of the most vital bands on the music scene today. 2023 is the year of RVG and the release of Brain Worms is just the beginning!
THE BELAIR LIP BOMBS
One of Victoria’s most exciting upcoming bands, Frankston four-piece THE BELAIR LIP BOMBS released their sparkling debut album Lush Life in August. Purveyors of blistering indie pop, Lush Life paints a vibrant and emotive portrait of a formidable band built on strong, energetic, punchy songwriting with NME stating, “energy and experimentation collide on thrilling debut”. Blending striking melodies with thought-provoking lyrics, their songs are “naggingly catchy”, with their unique sound covering a range of influences from The B-52s, The Smiths, The Clash and Devo, to The Strokes and Talking Heads. Led by the creative vision of Maisie Everett, file THE BELAIR LIP BOMBS somewhere between punk, post-punk, jangle pop and new wave.
TENT POLE: A MUSICAL JAMBOREE
Sat 17 February, 2024 | Mt Duneed Estate | Wadawurrung (Geelong), VIC Lic.All Ages
All event information
tentpolemusicfestival.com
adayonthegreen.com.au
lovepolice.com.au
iohyou.com
okmotels.com.au
For Dinosaur Jr’s full Australian headline tour and ticket information, visit:
frontiertouring.com
TICKETING
AAMI CUSTOMER PRESALE
Via AAMI Events and Experiences
Runs from: Monday 9 October, 2.00pm local time
For 48 hours or until presale allocation exhausted
A DAY ON THE GREEN MEMBERS PRESALE
via adayonthegreen.com.au/signup
Runs from: Monday 9 October, 2.00pm local time
For 48 hours or until presale allocation exhausted
LOVE POLICE PRESALE
Via Ticketmaster
Runs from: Monday 9 October, 2.00pm local time
For 48 hours or until presale allocation exhausted
TICKETMASTER PRESALE
Via Ticketmaster
Runs from: Wednesday 11 October, 3.00pm local time
For 46 hours or until presale allocation exhausted
GENERAL PUBLIC ON SALE – TENT POLE: A MUSICAL JAMBOREE
Tickets on sale Friday 13 October at 2.00pm local time
From Ticketmaster
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Patrons are advised to purchase tickets only through authorised ticket sellers. We cannot guarantee any ticket purchase made through any means other than the official ticketing agents listed on the a day on the green, Frontier Touring, Love Police, I OH YOU, and winery’s websites
All shows subject to final regulatory approvals. Roundhouse Entertainment, a day on the green, Love Police and I OH YOU reserve the right to alter show details to comply with government and health regulations.
TICKET PRICES – TENT POLE: A MUSICAL JAMBOREE
General Admission: *$169.90 plus booking fees** (Full price ticket $189.90**)
*Early Bird (Presale or until allocation exhausted)
**A one-off handling free from $5.95 per transaction applies on all purchases. All ticket/item prices include GST.
Children under 12 years of age admitted free of charge, no ticket required. Must be accompanied by Parent or Guardian
TRANSPORT
For a totally relaxing, stress-free day, leave the car at home and travel by bus. This is the preferred Tent Pole transport option. Don’t miss out - book your tickets early!
For coach and shuttle bus enquiries from Melbourne, Laverton and Werribee, contact Melbourne On The Move and locally from Geelong, Bellarine Peninsula and Surf Coast, McHarry’s Coaches.
Or catch the V/Line train from Melbourne’s Southern Cross Railway Station. Just 90 minutes from Melbourne to Waurn Ponds, V/Lines daily fares capped at less than $10.
Limited event shuttle buses available to and from the venue and nearby Waurn Ponds Railway Station. Event shuttle buses must be pre-booked. Book via Melbourne On The Move
Limited Paid Parking available on site – Book HERE
Or gather your friends and car-pool to the event. If you arrive in a vehicle with 4 or more ticket holders, you will not be charged for parking.
Sign up here for membership details and updates on the full Tent Pole experience.
tentpolemusicfestival.com
facebook.com/tentpolemusicfestival | instagram.com/tentpolemusicfestival | twitter.com/tentpolemusfest
Tent Pole: A Musical Jamboree is proudly presented by a day on the green, Love Police, I OH YOU and Triple R.