St Kilda Festival program extended to nine days for COVID safety

The St Kilda Festival, presented by City of Port Phillip, will this year shift from the one-day format of recent years to allow social distancing - with the extended nine-day program of live music and entertainment providing more time and space to enjoy this popular event.

More than 50 artists will be performing across multiple stages with street performers, family entertainment, sports demonstrations, market stalls, local community group activations and more also on offer.

This year’s Festival incorporates the Yaluk-ut Weelam Ngargee: First Peoples Arts & Cultural Showcase featuring artists including Archie Roach. Yaluk-ut Weelam Ngargee has a long and proud history spanning over 20 years in St Kilda. The 2022 program is a mix of long-established artists, beautifully complimented by the next generation of young and emerging First People’s musical talent.

Acclaimed Indigenous vocalist and Melbourne rhythm combo, Emma Donovan and The Putbacks, will bring their signature soul sounds, while Daryl Brathwaite will also headline the multi-day event over 5th – 13th February.

The 2022 New Music Competition, presented by JMC Academy, will be held online from 5th – 20th February through the St Kilda Festival website. The six finalists are Brotha Asanti ft. Soulelectric, DEVY, Freeds, Keaper, Squid the Kid, and Jack Stirling and the Perfect.

Audiences can watch sets from each act and vote for their favourite performance for a chance to win a voter prize pack. The winning act will take home $5,000 and an invitation to perform at the St Kilda Festival Main Stage in 2023.

The St Kilda Festival will be operating under a comprehensive COVIDSafe plan. Any COVID-related updates will be communicated via social media and the Festival website.

O’Donnell Gardens Stage:

Kicking off the festival on Saturday 5th February will be Babyccino, Barkaa, Good Morning, KYE, Monnie, Queen-P, The Lazy Eyes, WILSN, plus DJ sets from PET$ and Shaad.

Foreshore Stage, South Beach Reserve:

Wednesday 9th February will include Jordan Dennis, Mo’Ju, Shannen James, The Bamboos, plus DJ sets from Big Rig.

Thursday 10th February features Emma Donovan and The Putbacks, Daryl Brathwaite, Gordi, Romero and DJ Sets from Soju Gang.

Friday 11th February will see Ashwarya, Baker Boy, Franko Gonzo, Jalmar, Pricie, TSEBA, all take to the stage, plus sets from dj pgz.

Yaluk-ut Weelam Ngargee: First Peoples Arts & Cultural Showcase is on Saturday 12 February with Archie Roach, Benny Walker, Chasing Ghosts, IZY, Kee’ahn and The Merindas.

Beach Stage / Push Stage, Catani Gardens:

Sunday 13th February will feature All the Queens Men, Big Fish Little Fish, FREAKCLUB, George Alice, IJALE, Kanani, Pevan and Sarah, The Dummies, and Waliens.

Street Stage, Catani Gardens:

Sunday 13th February’s festivities will extend to the Street Stage with Approachable Members of Your Local Community, Ausecuma Beats, BIRDZ, Cong Josie, Jawbreakers, June Jones, JXCKY, Rya Park, Vetta Borne, plus DJ sets from General Feelings and Nuestro Planeta.

The full program is available at stkildafestival.com.au 

Image: John Wayne Parsons playing Yaluk-ut Weelam Ngargee 2020. Photo: Wayne Quilliam