Again the festival spans two days, with a First Nations Program on Saturday15 February followed by the Big Sunday Program on Sunday 16 February. In a small but important change, this year the Sunday program ends at 9.30 pm rather than the usual 10 pm.
However, we are not convinced by the Council’s claim that the Festival is ‘better than ever’ (Divercity Jan 25). TWiSK is disappointed by the loss of the St Kilda Live Music Precinct Program that catered to locals on the Friday of Festival weekend — a feature of last year’s program that delivered 16 gigs with local acts in local venues.
Mayor Louise Crawford said there won’t be a Live Music Precinct offering in the 2025 Festival. “As the Friday prior falls on Valentine’s Day, our Council is allowing room for traders to benefit from this lucrative hospitality opportunity,” she explained.
Given that a lot of popular music is about love, loss, and other mating behaviour, TWiSK says this seems like a lost opportunity. Imagine, St Kilda ‘Loves’ Music on Valentine’s Day; indeed, the Festival has frequently fallen on Valentine’s Day, and that hasn’t stopped the show.
According to the Council, the highest-billing local act is Painters and Dockers (pictured above), who are scheduled to headline the Catani Gardens South Stage, playing a set from 8 PM to 9 PM on Sunday. (See below for P&D video clip)
The Council says the Sunday line-up features at least 12 local acts, giving them exposure to a festival audience. That’s good news for a precinct that wants to secure its reputation for music.
Most of the local acts can be found at the aptly named Locals Stage in Acland Plaza.
Here’s a list of artists and times:
Celeste Willoughby | Remy Sayers | Bronte Morrison | Brazaman | Jarabi Band (trio) | Amos Roach | Penny Ikinger
Dont forget the other colorful festival treats
The range of other free activities will definitely impress.
Just click here to see everything that’s happening
FYI Painters and Dockers video from 1987, Die Yuppie Die.
