| Location(s) | Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia |
|---|---|
| Years active | 2003 - present |
| Date(s) | Mid to Late May |
| Genre | Rock, Hip hop, Electronic, Indie |
| Website | http://bassinthegrass.com.au |
Bassinthegrass[1] is an Australian music festival. It is the largest music festival in the Northern Territory, and has been held annually since 2003 at the Darwin Amphitheatre in the territory capital. The festival is operated by the Northern Territory Government through the Northern Territory Major Events Company,[1] part of a project of the previous Martin government to bring prominent bands to the territory and showcase local talent. Bassinthegrass has grown rapidly since its inception, resulting in the imposition of cap on ticket numbers in 2007. A sister festival, Bassinthedust, has been held in Alice Springs since 2004, replacing an Alice Springs leg of Bassinthegrass which had been held at the first festival in 2003.
Contents |
The festival was first held in 2003, to fulfill a campaign promise by the Martin government to hold a Big Day Out-style youth concert in the territory.[2] It was held in both Darwin and Alice Springs in its inaugural year, with the Alice Springs leg later becoming the Bassinthedust festival.[3] 5000 people attended the Darwin leg, with a further 1500 in Alice Springs, listening to headline acts The Living End, 30 Odd Foot of Grunts, and NoKTuRNL.[3][4][5] It was widely hailed as a success in the territory media, and became an annual event.[6]
It became a Darwin-only festival in 2004, with the creation of Bassinthedust, and a crowd of 6000 turned out to a hear a larger lineup, including Grinspoon, Frenzal Rhomb, The Dissociatives, The Superjesus, Jebediah, Even, Shannon Noll, Human Nature and Sophie Koh.[7][8] Radio personality Jackie O had been meant to MC the event, but arrived nine hours late, and stormed off stage after being booed by the crowd and played over by Frenzal Rhomb in an incident that received national media coverage.[9] You Am I, Little Birdy, Evermore, Regurgitator and Anthony Callea headlined the festival in 2005.[10][11]
The festival switched to a two-stage format in 2006, with The Living End, Hilltop Hoods, Pete Murray, Something for Kate, The Herd, 28 Days, Slinkee Minx and Gerling appearing at the festival.[11][12] Ticket sales increased dramatically, with all presale tickets selling out, and a total turnout of 9000 - a 40% increase on previous years.[13] The high turnout resulted in a cap of 7000 tickets being introduced for the 2007 festival because of safety concerns.[14] Presale tickets sold out a week before the event, with a capacity crowd turning out to hear Jet, Eskimo Joe, Hilltop Hoods, TZU and the Young Divas.[15]
Bassinthegrass 2008, was held on May 24, 2008 at the Darwin Amphitheatre. It's lineup included Powderfinger, Wolfmother, Gyroscope, Twisted Metal Heart and The Potbelleez.
Tickets for the event are found on sale throughout the Darwin suburbs roughly a month before the event each year.
A unique aspect of BassintheGrass is the ticketing system. Rather than a conventional event paper ticket as seen with most music festivals, logo-branded caps are given out as a proof of purchase. This helps organizers to distinguish any unpaid entries and to ensure efficient entrance to all patrons, and also serves as protection from the sun.
Patrons receive tokens for free Cool Ridge bottled water upon entry, which can be used throughout the day.
On arrival all bags, containers are fully checked for alcohol. Wristbands are issued near the entrance to concert-goers over the age of 18 years. Government issued ID such as a Drivers Licence, a Proof of Age card or a Passport must be presented by people over 18 wanting to consume alcohol. Secondary and Tertiary Education ID's are not accepted.
Alcohol is only sold at designated alcohol booths, and only to people with the 18+ wristbands.
Designated security personnel patrol all of the "wet" areas at random to ensure youth are not consuming alcohol.
All alcohol booths operate within the restricted times of 5.00pm and 11.00pm. Only four drinks are served to any one person at a time and all drinks are opened at point of sale.
Approximately 25 per cent of the venue is a designated ‘dry area’. This area is clearly marked and shaded with temporary shade structures in the middle of the venue.
Local food vans provide food and extra beveraged throughout the day.
BassintheGrass is surrounded by a two metre high barbed wire fence along its perimeter. Local Police forces are present in relatively large numbers to ensure a safe day for all patrons. No glass bottles, no sharp objects, no aerosol cans, no Alcohol, and no illegal substances are to be taken into the event.
Crash barriers are also in place with security at the front of the stage.
St John Ambulance Officers are present in a tent throughout the day to provide first aid where needed. In the case of serious injury, an ambulance is on stand by to take the patron to the local hospital.
Road blockages are held around the venue through most of the day to ensure the safety of patrons upon leaving the venue.
Buses are available from certain stops around the city and suburbs (this changes by the year). A number of free buses from the venue are provided following the end of the concert.
BassintheGrass is advertised in many forms of media within the Northern Territory including the NT News newspaper, and Southern Cross (The local distribution of Australia's Seven Network, the Nine Network, along with posters around Darwin.
*Jet *Eskimo Joe *Hilltop Hoods *Shannon Noll *Young Divas *Little Birdy *Behind Crimson Eyes *TZU *Mammal *Lowrider *The Strikes *The Weathermen *The Moxie *Enth Degree
* Stokes Hill * Neo * Zenith ASP * Flesh Petal * 28 Days * Gerling * Faker * Lee Harding * Worldfly * The Herd * Something for Kate * Pete Murray * Hilltop Hoods * The Living End
* You Am I * Regurgitator * Anthony Callea * Little Birdy * The Flairz * Thirsty Merc * Nabarlek * Evermore * Vanessa Amorosi * The Spazzys * Black Chapel * Test Theory * Pop Fantastic * Storm Riders * Vassy
* Grinspoon * Frenzal Rhomb * The Dissociatives * The Superjesus * Jebediah * Human Nature * Shannon Noll * Even * Hairy Lemon * Sophie Koh * World Fly * Lifted Mace * Plonker * Roy Mackonkey * Elusium
* The Living End * Machine Gun Fellatio * 30 Odd Foot of Grunts * Sophie Monk * 28 Days * Selwyn * Endorphin * NoKTuRNL * Three on a Tree * Plan B * Leon Spurling * Culture Connect * Cinco Loco * Llypente Apurte * Shelley Morris * Public Holdup