More than 35,000 tickets sold during Darwin Festival

The Darwin Festival 2022 which ran from 4th to 21st August saw more than 35,000 tickets sold across the event’s duration with 65% performances completely sold out.

This year’s electrifying program featured over 150 performances and 80 events spread across over 20 venues and showcased more than 400 artists from the NT, Australia and overseas.

Locals made up 75% of ticket buyers with visitors from interstate making up 23% of ticketholders.

Artistic Director Felix Preval notes “our opening weekend celebrating the best in contemporary Indigenous arts practice was huge. It all kicked off with our free Santos Opening Night Concert, Buŋgul, a ceremonial celebration of Gurrumul’s final album that saw 5,000 people in attendance. There were also excellent attendances at the National Indigenous Music Awards, the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair, and the Telstra NATSIAAs that same weekend.

“Music best-sellers included Arlo Parks, Confidence Man, Heartland featuring William Barton and Véronique Serret, and Tim Minchin, who performed in Darwin for the very first time to a huge crowd of over 4,500 people at the Amphitheatre.

“We delivered numerous sold-out theatre and cabaret shows, including YUMMY ICONIC, Betty Grumble’s Enemies of Grooviness Eat Sh!t, Finucane & Smith’s Travelling Dance Hall, The Boy Who Talked To Dogs, and Maureen: Harbinger of Death.

“Darwin loves to have a laugh and comedic acts from the likes of Tom Gleeson with Hard Quiz Live, Steven Oliver, Lou Wall, Vidya Rajan and Dane Simpson played to packed houses.”

Preval added “free events also drew large numbers, with family favourite City of Darwin Teddy Bears’ Picnic attracting over 4,000 people. The Festival closed with balarr inyiny, an epic spectacle of light, movement and sound, where 160 synchronised drones took to the sky to transform the coastline with ancient stories of place and Larrakia culture. It was a truly breathtaking experience.

“The beating heart of Darwin Festival is, of course, Festival Park, where families, friends and Festival-goers gathered each night to relax in the vibrant atmosphere and enjoy free entertainment and fine food. An estimated 45,000 visitors enjoyed Festival Park across 15 balmy nights this year which is a new record on all prior years.

“After six incredible years as Artistic Director of Darwin Festival, it’s been wonderful to go out with a real bang. To see free community events Buŋgul and balarr inyiny, play to capacity crowds, to have interstate and international artists and visitors return, and for the program to be so well received has been deeply gratifying.

“I love this city. I love this Festival. It’s been a privilege to have worked closely with artists from across the Northern Territory, to have commissioned local and national productions for Darwin’s delight, and to have brought so much incredible talent to experience this place. I’m leaving a changed person for sure. I’m excited to see what my successor Kate Fell does for Darwin Festival, between her and James and great team I’m sure it will be fabulous.”

Incoming Artistic Director, Kate Fell joined the Festival celebrations this year, meeting her new team and Festival stakeholders, and immersing herself in the local community.

“I’ve had a fantastic time in Darwin for the Festival,” said Fell. “Darwin is such a special place, unlike any other in Australia. The arts scene here is wholly distinct, diverse and engaging. I’m very much looking forward to working with local artists and creating a Festival program the people of Darwin can continue to be proud of.”

Darwin Festival Chief Executive James Gough advised “we’d like to thank Felix Preval for his dedication to the Festival. His passion for Darwin and consistent outstanding programming that has seen Darwin Festival cement itself as one of the hottest arts Festivals in Australia.

“On behalf of Darwin Festival, I would also like to thank the Northern Territory Government for its strong, ongoing support, as well as our wonderful team, partners, suppliers, artists, volunteers and audiences, all of whom have contributed to the success of this year’s Festival.”

Darwin Festival 2023 will take place from 10th-27th August.

Image top: Darwin Festival Festival Park 2022 Credit Rachel Younger Foldback Media NT; image above: Darwin Festival ClubAwi Sunset Stage Credit Rachel Younger Foldback Media NT