Author, journalist and Holiday Goddess editor Anneli Knight loves Victoria’s quirky Meredith Music Festival. We say, sign up for the ticket ballot now…
It is a festival with quirky rituals, sell-out shows and a language all of its own. The Meredith Music Festival, held every December on a private property in a small town 90 kilometres from Melbourne, is an icon on the festival calendar having been heralded the “best festival in the world” by leading musicians who’ve played there.
The single-stage performances for this three-day celebration are played in the dip of the “Supernatural Amphitheatre” – a gently sloping arena that gives clear open-air views in its bushland setting. Over its 21 year history the stage has been graced by the likes of Paul Kelly, MGMT, John Butler Trio, You Am I, Dirty Three, Augie March and Wolfmother: always an eclectic Indie Rock line-up.
Festival-goers take the relaxed policies of the festival seriously. These include the “no dick head policy” doctrine – Dickheads or people involved in dickhead behaviour will usually find that a solid citizen will firmly but politely inform them that their dickhead behaviour is not admired or appreciated, festival rules warn. And they love the furniture policy that allows them to truck in pre-loved sofas a by the ute-full onto the grassy slopes as long as they are no taller than “bellybutton height”. Then there’s the “Ranga Meet” – where all the red-haired party-goers meet at a set time on the Saturday night at a tree stump that’s been painted bright red. However it is the “Meredith Gift” that is taken most seriously – a competitive sprint held on the festival’s Sunday afternoon, where the only rule is that you must run nude.
For those who miss the Meredith Music Festival ticket ballot, there are usually last minute tickets available for sale on www.gumtree.com.au – especially if the weather forecast is hairy… and there have been some mud-bath, hail-storm, lightning-flashy Meredith’s over the years in Victoria’s notoriously unpredictable summer weather.
It is also worth checking out the Golden Plains festival, Meredith’s little sister event, which is held over the March long weekend at the Supernatural Amphitheatre and is slightly more chilled-out with smaller crowds to top of the tail end of the festival season.
For a full run down of both festivals and to sign up for the ticket ballot, go to:
(Tent available at Cath Kidston).
