Fresh from their ARIA Awards win last week, former Deni man Michael Cavanagh and his King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard band mates are today announced as headliners for the Deniliquin Play on the Plains event in March.
Joining them on the main stage at the famed Deni Ute Muster site will be another band with local connections, with The Carp Factory also in the line-up.
Named for the Charlie Carp factory right here in Deniliquin, The Carp Factory includes Deni lads Sid Pearn, Will Keech and Sam Young.
Both bands will be in esteemed company with the rest of the line-up including Baker Boy, Northeast Party House and Alex Lahey.
Local Battle of the Bands contestants and finalists will keep the entertainment rolling throughout the day on the B Stage.
“We are thrilled to be back for 2024, adding to and growing the event with fireworks, camping on site and a Battle of the Bands,” Play on the Plains general manager Vicky Lowry said.
“Play on the Plains was created for a younger audience through to families, bringing them all together to experience the best of our young Australian talent.
“Come and Play and Stay On The Plains!”
Battle of the Bands allows even more local talent to be showcased, with three categories of competition - Senior band (open age), junior band (primary school aged) and solo artist (open age).
These young musicians will each get to play a set, including production and sound mixing, on the B stage between the main stage artists’ sets.
Winners in each category will win cash prizes thanks to B Green Constructions.
The solo winner will receive a $750 musical equipment voucher courtesy of Deniliquin Nextra.
The winner of the senior band competition will win $500, with $250 going to second place and $100 for third.
The winner also gets the chance to open the main stage at the 2025 Play on the Plains Festival.
Go to playontheplains.com.au for entry and terms and conditions, or call (03) 5881 3388 for further information.
Tickets to Play on the Plains 2024 are just $120 (plus booking fee) and are on sale from 9am today through Oztix.
Tickets for children under 13 are only $20 (plus booking fee).
The March 9 event coincides with the Victorian Labor Day long weekend, and visitors to the region are invited to camp and enjoy all that Deni has to offer outside of the festival too.
“This year we’re opening up on-site camping from noon on Saturday, March 9 until 11am the next day, so bring your swags, tents, caravans, station wagons or campervans and make a full weekend of it,” Mrs Lowry said.
“Site bookings can also be made through Oztix.”
Inside the festival arena, which opens at 1pm on March 9, there’ll be licensed bars, food vans, beach volleyball and a silent disco.
There is plenty of free on-site parking or take advantage of the bus service.
Local bus company Dyson Group will be operating charter buses from various local regions including Hay, Cobram, Strathmerton, Barooga, Tocumwal, Finley, Blightly, Koondrok, Barham, Wakool, Kialla, Shepparton, Mooroopna, Kyabram, Yarrawonga and Mulwala.
There will also be shuttle buses to and from various locations around the Deniliquin town centre.
Seats must be booked directly with Dysons on (03) 5881 133. Buses from surrounding towns will only operate if there are sufficient bookings.
12°C