Laneway is almost here, so it’s time to get acquainted with its impressive 2018 offerings. The festival will celebrate 14 years of much-lauded summer days with stops in seven cities (including five dates across Australia, plus visits to Singapore and New Zealand.)
Growing from a Melbourne-based alleyway party to a domineering force in the southern hemisphere’s festival scene. There’s a little something for everyone… including a just announced DJ set from Tame Impala’s Kevin Parker at Laneway’s Fremantle date on Feb 11.
Australia is well represented in the talent, welcoming home artists like Alex Cameron (who teamed up with Angel Olsen last year on the need-to-hear “Stranger’s Kiss”), recent Vance Joy tour mate Amy Shark, industrious psychedelic rockers Pond (who celebrated 2017 with the release of their seventh studio album, ‘The Weather’), and likely 2018 breakouts Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever.
If you’re looking for local newcomers, look no further than triple j’s Unearthed competition. The station has added rising artists Angie McMahon, T$oko, Hatchie, Exhibitionist, and Paradise Club to the fest’s offerings.
Coming from a bit further away, Laneway will also feature sets from the likes of talented multitasker Anderson .Paak; guttural Brit punks Shame; electronic wizard Bonobo; ‘Stranger Things’ soundtrack phenoms S U R V I V E; perennial NME favourites Wolf Alice; shoegaze legends Slowdive; and the too-cool-to-argue-with Father John Misty. We’ll also most definitely be hitting the dance floor for sure to be fun sets from Sylvan Esso, TOKiMONSTA, and Odesza.
Not to be left out, a couple of notable Canadian acts will show up for the 2018 edition, too, including the always affable Mac DeMarco and jazz weirdos/Ghostface Killah collaborators BADBADNOTGOOD.
While much of the talk right now has been on the quiet removal of controversial Australian artist Kirin J Callinan, it’s an important indication that festival organizers have taken appropriate steps to make the festival feel like a safe space.
St. Jerome’s Laneway Festival kicks things off in Singapore on Jan 27. Sidewalk Hustle will be there for it all at the Melbourne date on Feb 3. For full festival info, the complete lineup, and tickets head to lanewayfestival.com