Kangaroo Island's largest music event, New Shoots Music Festival, has today announced that the multi-ARIA-winning alt-rockers The Rubens and the incomparable Ross Wilson (Daddy Cool, Mondo Rock, Skyhooks, Jo Jo Zep & The Falcons) will co-headline a stacked lineup at Penneshaw Oval on March 25.
Registrations for earlybird tickets are now open via OzTix ahead of going on sale this Friday at 8am ACDT.
Earlybird tickets are extremely limited at only $79 per person, so get in fast! Full price tickets are only $99 with
the option to camp for the weekend at the adjoining Penneshaw Golf Club for only an additional $29.
The multi-ARIA award winning headliners will be joined with some of the best South Australian musicians across the wekeend: Mell Hall, Dusty Lee's Blues Jam, Busseys, Bermuda Bay and Nathan May along with KI locals Xavier Wadsworth, Jacky Winter and Double Header who nabbed a spot on the festival’s main stage as winners of the ‘New Shoots Home Grown’ open mic competition.
New Shoots is a grassroots initiative organised by a local not-for-profit committee, East End Events Inc. who have the vision to produce a world-class, annual event that attracts more than 3,500 people across Kangaroo Island and Australia by 2025.
In the wake of the 2019/20 bushfires which destroyed close to half of Kangaroo Island (a massive 210,000 hectares), the committee, who are made up of local residents and sheep/cattle farmers, created New Shoots as a way to raise much-needed funds to support their fellow Kangaroo Island residents and landowners.
The popular South Australian tourism destination recently made the top 10 on The New York Times’ list of top places to visit in 2023, which is home to 5,000+ residents and business owners as well as Australia’s best beach!
East End Events Inc. Chair, Andy Gilfillan said this year's event would build on the success of the inaugural event held in April 2022 at the Penneshaw Oval. He states: “The committee delivered a world-class event that attracted more than 1,300 people from across Kangaroo Island and Australia. We're excited to be able to make New Shoots an annual event that will attract locals and mainlanders. This will be an event that locals can be proud of for years to come."
"This year, the East End Events committee has been fortunate to work with Connor Jolly, our incredibly hardworking and talented event manager”, he continues.
By working with Connor, Andy expressed that the committee has had more input in choosing the bands playing this year and believes the KI locals will appreciate the nine acts playing throughout the day.
"We are thrilled to have one of Australia's true music icons, Ross Wilson, who has been an integral part of the Australian music scene with Daddy Cool and Mondo Rock, as well as his work as a producer with Skyhooks and Jo Jo Zep & the Falcons" Andy said.
"Having a band of the calibre of The Rubens play on Kangaroo Island is very exciting and will encourage a younger demographic to sail over with SeaLink on the discounted fares, camp next to the venue and enjoy the weekend.”
Andy went on to say that ending the night with world-renowned DJ Mel Hall will end the event on a high. "On behalf of the committee, we are all very excited to host this next amazing event."
Festival punters will be pleased to know they’ll be wrapping their lips around delicious local beverages on offer by Dudley Wines, KI Spirits, Tattoo Me Coolers hard seltzers and False Cape Wines.. They’ll be joined by a mouthwatering selection of local food trucks including Squid Squad, Saigon Tuckerbox, Gypsea Wagin and more to be revealed soon.
For those wanting to stay the night (or explore the island for the weekend!), camping is available at the Penneshaw Golf Club (next to the festival site) between Friday 24 March – Sunday 26 March for only $29 per person.
If that’s not enough to entice anyone to make the short trip over for the weekend from South Australia’s mainland, SeaLink is offering a special 50% discount for ferry travel! Simply enter the discount code ‘NEWSHOOTS23’ when booking via the SeaLink website. Terms and conditions apply*.
The inaugural New Shoots Music festival in April 2022 featured performances by Something For Kate, Jebediah, Bad // Dreems, Ash Grunwald and Maddy Jane, raising much-needed funds for Blazeaid and Breakthrough Mental Health Research Foundation.
A portion of Event proceeds at this year’s New Shoots will raise funds for the Clontaf Foundation – a not-for-profit with a mission to improve the education, discipline, life skills, self-esteem and employment prospects of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men.
New Shoots Festival is being held on the Penneshaw Oval at Penneshaw on Kangaroo Island on Saturday 25 March 2023.
Registrations for earlybird tickets are now open via OzTix ahead of going on sale this Friday at 8am ACDT.
Earlybird tickets are extremely limited at only $79 per person, with full price tickets at only $99. Camping tickets for the weekend can be purchased for only $29.
Register for earlybird tickets here
