TV on the Radio & Perfume Genius to Headline Australia’s Meredith Music Festival

Australia’s Meredith Music Festival has announced the lineup for its 33rd edition, with the likes of TV on the Radio, Perfume Genius and Colin Hay leading the charge.

The annual festival, held in the regional town of Meredith, is regarded as one of the country’s most respected and acclaimed events, thanks largely to its programming, its communal aspect and the positive ethos that it embraces.

Taking place across three days from Dec. 5-7, the forthcoming edition of the event sees the Australian return of New York City art rock ensemble TV on the Radio after a ten-year absence, the Down Under debut of J-pop outfit Atarashii Gakko!, and a return visit from Perfume Genius.

Other heavy hitters include the likes of Men at Work frontman Colin Hay, acclaimed soul trio Thee Sacred Souls, and U.K. rapper Pa Salieu. A raft of local names also make up the diverse offering, including Folk B–ch Trio, Mildlife, RONA., Radio Free Alice ,Dr Sure’s Unusual Practice and many others.

As is typical for the Meredith Music Festival, ticket sales are only available via a ballot system, which remains open until 10:33pm AEST on Tuesday, Aug. 19.

The Meredith Music Festival first launched in 1991 as what organizers described as a “party for about 200 people.” In the ensuing years, the event has grown significantly, now annually bringing in myriad international acts such as Kraftwek, Jami xx, Laim Gallagher, The Breeders, Billy Bragg and more in recent years.

“It’s now a little vaster, a bit deeper, there’s more pageantry than in its infancy,” organizers explain. “It’s been an experiment in propagation. What was planted one year harvested the next. The spirit of ‘91 preserved and evolved, an epigenetic mutation that’s retained the original strain of DNA.”

Alongside its commitment to curating eclectic lineups and offering a unique communal experience for all attendees, the Meredith Music Festival is also famed for its “no d–khead policy,” which has existed since its earliest events. 

“In part it means looking after yourself and others,” the festival’s website explains. “Just as importantly, it means treating each other with respect.”