Beer, BBQ and music festival returns to Adelaide Showground this winter

Beer, BBQ and music festival returns to Adelaide Showground this winter

While many Australian music festivals and events are facing unprecedented challenges and cancellations, the Adelaide Beer & BBQ Festival has announced that it is returning to the Adelaide Showground from 12th -14th July, featuring an incredible lineup of live music.

The Adelaide Beer & BBQ Festival embodies a tight-knit community of the music, beer, and hospitality industries, who are all facing the toughest of times right now. Brewers are entering voluntary administration, venues are closing by the week, and events and festivals are cancelling across the country. Since its inception in 2015, ABBF has stood as a beacon of support for these businesses, and this year’s tagline encapsulates it all: 'Ale We Need Is Love’.

Co-Director of Beer & BBQ Festival, Aaron Sandow noted "at a time when the festivals, live music, craft beer, and hospitality industries have been hit the hardest, we're passionate about creating an event that brings people together and celebrates the resilience of these great industries. 'Ale We Need Is Love' is more than just a motto; it's a rallying cry for the community to come out and be our best selves together, arm in arm and beer in hand."

Headlining the music lineup for the festival are some of the biggest legends of Australian music. The Australian Rock Collective (ARC) – featuring members of Powderfinger, Spiderbait, You Am I and Jet – will rock the main stage on Friday 12th July, delivering an electrifying performance that showcases the absolute best of Aussie rock. On Saturday 13th July, Bad // Dreems & Friends (a very special one off collaboration performance) will belt out The Great South Australian Songbook which pays homage to the state's rich musical heritage. And for the kids young and old, the iconic Peter Combe will be performing alongside his Newspaper Mama Band at the family and dog-friendly session on Sunday 14th July.

Other must-see emerging musical acts across the weekend include WA’s outrageous Southern River Band, soon-to-be superstars Floodlights (VIC), Birdman or The Unexpected Virtue of a Tony Hawk Pro Skater Cover Band (NSW) playing, yes, every track you know and love from the iconic playstation game, self styled metal occultists The Neptune Power Federation, WA folk country revivalists The Bures Band, “Australia’s best punk rock band” C.O.F.F.I.N., and bush balladeer Watty Thompson & His Total Fire Band – with a stack more South Aussie talent yet to be announced across FOUR live music stages.

You can also get around a Country Hoedown at the heaving crowd-fave, Secret Pickle Saloon, and also catch the finals of UNTAPPED – ABBF's regional search for the best undiscovered music talent live on stage. All hosted by Australian  singer/songwriter/outlaw, and host of Tower of Song on Double J, Henry Wagons, who'll once again ensure an unforgettable experience for all attendees at ABBF.

Alongside the live music on offer will be the largest lineup of barbecue ever assembled at the festival, and a huge curated selection of beers (and “not-beers”) from near and far.

This winter, immerse yourself in a beer lover's paradise with over 1000 beers (and “not-beers”) on offer, sourced from breweries near and far. The beer industry has been hit very hard post-covid and ABBF are working with the Independent Brewers Association of Australia to present a curated 60-brewer lineup, which’ll drop on April 23rd. ABBF’s inaugural Beer Ambassador, Ryan Davidson (ex-Little Bang founder) will be presenting some topical on stage debates and masterclasses with the industry’s best and brightest minds.

ABBF Beer Ambassador, Ryan Davidson shares "The independent brewing industry is doing it tough right now. Ridiculously tough. Cost of living, rent, materials, excise increases, big business squashing us with lock-out contracts, and consumer preferences shifting mid-recession has made for a uniquely shitty set of circumstances. But we’re a resilient bunch. We love this industry and we believe in what we do. There’s never been a more important time to get along to events like this and show your support for these remarkable businesses and the people behind them. After the year we've had, it's going to be one hell of a party.”

The 2024 BBQ line-up at ABBF will rival any food festival in the country. The first round of announcements includes US low’n’slow by Carolina Smoke and Brisket & Brawn (NSW) and the SA debut of the ‘Pig Ferris Wheel’ that’ll be hauled down from QLD by Flamin’ Grillas. Señor BBQ (Argentina, by way of Melbourne) and Victoria’s smashed burger sensations Goldieburger will also be making their SA debut.

ABBF also welcomes Californian (by way of Redfern NSW) anti-heroes Mr Charlie’s. The plant-based icons boast a menu full of nostalgia and are busting perceptions about plant based food. ABBF will be putting Mr Charlie’s front and centre for the ‘Pepsi-challenge’ to question what people know about tastes and thinking.

Returning in 2024 is ABBF BBQ Ambassador Alana Brabin who has put together a diverse lineup of chef’s to contribute to the ‘World’s On Fire’ activation, including Warndu (First Nations), The Levant Project (Jordan/Palestine), The Thai Guy (Thailand) and El Costanco (Sth America). Plus, introducing the Polyphagia Feast by Alana Brabin & Sarah Turner. The full BBQ lineup will be revealed in May.

In addition to the stellar beer, BBQ and live music lineup on offer, the event offers a plethora of activities to keep you entertained all weekend long. Experience live BMX and skating demos, take in the mayhem of Riot City Wrestling, engage in masterclass panel discussions with brewers and chefs, test your skills in a pie eating contest, try your hand at axe throwing, and get inked at the tattoo parlour. Browse through market stalls, dance the night away at the silent disco, and participate in the infamous Beer Bod Wet T-Shirt Competition.

The Adelaide Beer & BBQ Festival is made possible with the support of the South Australian Government's Music Development Office. On the announcement of the return of the Adelaide Beer & BBQ Festival this winter, Minister for Arts and Small & Family Business, Andrea Michaels MP states:

Adelaide Beer & BBQ Festival July 12th-14th, 2024
Adelaide Showground
Tickets are on sale now through Moshtix

Images from top: Adelaide Beer and BBQ Festival Credit Nick Astanei; Adelaide Beer and BBQ Festival Credit Daniel Marks; Adelaide Beer and BBQ Festival BBQ Credit Danny Howe; ABBF Festival Beer Credit Daniel Marks