Surry Hills Festival announces 2018 lineup

With a reputation for showcasing the best in outstanding Sydney live music, Surry Hills Festival has announced its 2018 music line up comprised of some of the cities best First Nations performers. Joining the festival on 22 September is singer-songwriter pop duo Chymes, funky collective The BIG ILCH, smooth as folk/pop duo Microwave Jenny, one of Sydney’s most beloved talents Joyride and soul toasting legends King Tide rounding out the Ward Park stage lineup. Experimental rockers Rackett will be headlining the Shannon Reserve stage alongside rising hip-hop star DOBBY, energetic garage rock band Crocodylus, psych indie pop group Pirra, retro pop singer Iluka, and the amazing Jackie Brown Jr. The event will be MC’ed by locals Gavin Ivey from Koori Radio and Emily Nicol of NITV with amazing DJs to be announced for the offical afterparty at The Clock Hotel.

Plus, returning by popular demand is the curated Pop Up Stage featuring up and coming artists from the Australian Institute of Music (AIM).  

“Surry Hills Festival is a local Sydney community focused event, when programming I felt it was important to showcase and support artists from within the Sydney region and surrounds. Their music is integral to the soundtrack of the city and the lineup not only reflects the high quality of Sydney contemporary music and art but also its cultural diversity and vibrant musical heart,” says Michael Hutchings, the festival’s live music program director. 

Spread across Ward Park, Devonshire Street, Shannon Reserve, Crown Street, laneways, pop up spaces, local venues, creative spaces and everything in between – Surry Hills Festival invites everyone to be immersed in the creativity that the locals celebrate 365 days a year.

Spread over ten days leading up to the Festival, this year’s program, themed Spring into Surry Hills – kicks off from 13 September. Bold and fun, the theme celebrates founding of Surry Hills Neigbourhood Centre in era of Flower Power (late 1960s/70s). Selected creatives will overlay Devonshire Street and surrounds with a curated trail of projections, installations and performances, running 13 – 23 September.