HAVE you got a sleeping bag, toothbrush, towel and a tent organised?
That’s about all you need to roll into Lucindale for Australia’s 2019 Triple J One Night Stand.
It is an all-age, mammoth, live music blockbuster with free admission.
It is also a drug and alcohol-free event which is held annually in a regional or remote location somewhere in Australia.
While the event is aimed at young people, everyone is welcome to attend – mum, dad, the kids, grandma, grandpa – even Auntie Pearl.
The only prerequisite is a passion for modern live music and partying without drugs or alcohol.
Each year thousands of city-based attendees as well as country people do a road trip to the One Night Stand location, camping on-site or near the venue.
Many young people take holidays for the extravaganza and meander around regions taking selfies and crossing things off their bucket list.
Social media will soon be bustling with selfies from our Blue Lake and Millicent’s Lake McIntyre to Larry the Lobster and Bordertown’s white kangaroos, plus all the well-known haunts in between.
Additionally, activities are being organised before and after the main event.
Last year’s One Night Stand attracted 20,000 people to St Helens in Tasmania.
In 2017, 7000 rolled in to Mount Isa while 15,000 partied at Geraldton in WA for the 2016 epic show.
The first One Night Stand was held in 2004 at Natimuk, a couple of hours east of Lucindale, where 9000 people made memories for a life time.
Lucindale’s Kate Rayner attended that event and was inspired – Lucindale could host one as well.
With a small committee at her side including Lucindale Area School principal Adrian Maynard, Daniel Ryan, Tim Williams, Hayley Miller, Louise Stock and Charlie Riggs, campaigning sparked in 2012-13.
But Lucindale’s efforts were by-passed and Mildura was selected as Triple J’s host town for 2014.
In late 2017, Kate re-ignited the committee plus a large group of supporters, to help lobby once again.
This time Triple J could not ignore Lucindale’s loud united voice.
Last month Triple J issued a press release announcing Lucindale as its 2019 host town.
So, Yakka Park, the home of the Field Days which involves 40 acres of lush green grass with car parking, flushing toilets, showers, sheds and a raft of powered sites, will soon host one of Australia’s premier live music events.
The site can cater for 22,000 people.
Live music gigs are popular and big money spinners for regions.
Relatives on the Birdsville Track and Marree claim a lot of South Easterners are still meandering around the Outback following Birdsville’s Big Red Bash.
Although aimed at a different crowd, last month more than 9000 people attended that event
They all survived without mobile phones and 1600 people under 18 years also survived with no internet.
There were zero security incidents, zero speeding fines, zero DUI readings and zero rain clouds along with no mains water or grid electricity.
There were 323 “friendly” dogs, 395 Bashville drag queens, 454 volunteers, 210 composting toilets and 2330 Nutbush dancers.
According to Live Performance Australia (LPA), festivals and attendances are increasing – in 2017 around 23 million people attended live music events held throughout the nation, pumping $1.9b into the Australian economy just from ticket sales.
Triple J’s One Night Stand at Lucindale is an important gig for our entire region.
And young people will be pleased to know their mobile phones will work while staying at Lucindale.
Triple J’s One Night Stand fires up at Yakka Park around 3pm on Saturday, September 14.
Artists include the Hilltop Hoods, Meg Mac, Ocean Alley and G Flip as well as the 2019 Triple J Unearthed competition winner.
