Punters go to festivals for different reasons.
Some just want to have a good time in a beautiful location, hanging out with friends and family. Others crave live music in any shape or form. Many identify with the event’s values, especially if it’s themed. There are also those whose decision to attend is determined by the line-up.
The inaugural Undertone Festival somehow manages to cater to all those festival-goers. And I’m here for it, too.
PART 202 OF “AM I EVER GONNA SEE YOUR FACE AGAIN?” A RANDOM COLLECTION OF UNKNOWINGLY OBVIOUS FACTS ABOUT AUSTRALIAN MUSIC SCENE
In case you’re wondering, I belong to the last group of punters. I go to festivals primarily because of the line-up.
So when Undertone Festival announced its bill, it felt like it was tailored to my taste 100%. I have been following the indie pop/rock muso Hope D and the blues/country/folk group Hussy Hicks for years with great interest. And I’m always happy to expand my musical horizons. So seeing stage names of local artists who don’t necessarily ring a bell (yet), like Eleea and Tomorrow’s Forecast, is an added value.
However, regardless of my personal preferences, the event is significant in other ways, too.
Numerous articles have already been written, and tons of conversations have been held on underrepresentation in the music business. Mind you, it is not only an issue in Australia.
Even though the systemic problem has been largely acknowledged by festival organisers and promoters, the facts speak for themselves. In 2024, women and non-binary artists are still a minority in the music business, in general, and on festival bills, in particular.
One way to demonstrate that disparity and advocate for change is by organising an event where musos from those underrepresented groups play the first fiddle. And what better move than inviting very vocal (directly and indirectly speaking) female-identifying artists/activists, like indie pop diva Jack River and alt-pop rep Montaigne, to lead the pack?
The lack of representation often goes hand-in-hand with other shortcomings of the music business. Undertone Festival clearly wants to highlight them, too, promising to be an all-ages, inclusive, accessible, and family-friendly space.
There’s more to the meaningful part the event strives to play in the Australian music scene. It will donate a portion of the ticket sales ($1 from every ticket) to a charitable organisation, uplifting LGBTQIA+ trans, non-binary & gender non-conforming people. And again, it’s not a random, unrelated choice. The I AM ME Foundation is a platform founded by none other than the internationally famous gender-fluid Australian artist Tash Sultana.
The festival’s format and location are also something to applaud the organisers for. Gold Coast Music Network has secured the beloved open-air dining/epic gig venue Miami Marketta for the one-day event, going down on Sunday, November 10th.
On that last note, the kick-off is at noon already. So if you’re an ancient millennial whose new midnight is 8 PM, want to bring your jolly bunch along or have to wake up early for work the next day, you should still be able to see most performances.
Having said that: are you on the Gold Coast of Australia on the second Sunday in November? Then why not stop by Undertone Festival, listen to your favourite female and non-binary artists and do some good? The very affordable tickets can still be purchased here. Send pics!
Cover Image: Gold Coast Music Network’s FB
Learn about more inclusive music events in Oz:
The new TRANSGENRE Festival sheds light on the trans- and non-binary artists’ community in Australia
2023 has been a year of festivals in Australia. That’s a fact. In July, Splendour In The Grass (SITG) made up for the disastrous event from last year. At the beginning of October, Aboriginal rapper Briggs put on a one-day music celebration in favour of the “yes” vote in the “Voice to Parliament” referendum. And…
Welcome to Wild At Heart, a Melbourne-based inclusive community, changing disabled people’s lives through arts and music
How many disabled artists are on your favourite playlist? When was the last time you saw a disabled musician at a festival? Do you know any music-related projects in your local area, designed specifically for the disabled community? I bet you really have to think hard about answering these questions. But you’re not alone. Disability…
Is Ability Fest the most accessible music festival in Australia?
Short answer: yes. Not only that. It’s also the first of its kind Down Under. So there’s no need for me to write an entire post about it, right? But the reasons behind its conception are definitely worth shining a light on. Because you can’t talk about Ability Fest without mentioning the festival’s founder. PART…
Silly McWiggles blog & podcast 