Championing house party vibes, Backyard Fest is the newest music and arts festival heading to regional Victoria this November.
Becoming one of the most anticipated festivals on the regional Victorian circuit, music festival Backyard Fest (BYF) will be making its debut in Castlemaine this November, channelling some serious house party energy into a weekend of fun, camaraderie and ease.
Taking over Lot 19, Castlemaine’s most loved outdoor arts precinct, from Friday, November 11 until Saturday, November 12, there’s no irony in the festival’s name, with smaller Backyard Fests taking place as house parties in years gone by.
What you need to know
- Regional Victoria’s new music festival, Backyard Fest (BYF), arrives in Castlemaine this November.
- Babe Rainbow, Alice Skye, Cousin Tony’s Brand New Firebird, MOD CON, The Stroppies and more lead the lineup.
- With limited capacity for the event, Backyard Fest is really trying to champion that intimate house party vibe.
- Tickets are on sale now
Keep up with the latest music news, festivals, interviews and reviews here.
Starting off in suburban backyards in 2017 in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne by three Camberwell housemates, BYF was all about bringing in bands and DJs for house parties worth remembering. Wanting to bring the good times to more friends and new faces, the little backyard festival is coming to life with its first large-scale public event.
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Despite facing a few postponements and a raft of challenges over the last couple of years, the intimate festival is finally set to welcome punters to enjoy the best bits of backyard shenanigans on the cosy Lot 19 site in Castlemaine – boasting good music, good people, good food and good cheer.
“Starting off in backyards a few years ago, BYF brought in bands and DJs for a house party worth remembering. Wanting to bring the good times to more friends and new faces, the little backyard festival is coming to life this November,” the festival said in a statement.
Coming out swinging for their first event, BYF has curated a lineup that packs a serious punch, boasting a stellar mix of bands and artists from all corners of the music spectrum.
Headlining the homegrown event is Byron Bay’s psychedelic rockers Babe Rainbow, singer-songwriter, Wergaia woman and universal little sister Alice Skye, Melbourne indie rockers Cousin Tony’s Brand New Firebird, and three-piece indie powerhouse MOD CON.
The list of homegrown heroes doesn’t stop there. The festival will also see energetic sets from the likes of The Stroppies, Andras, WHARVES, The Maes, Ausecuma Beats and Bones and Jones, also appearing.
Capping off the lineup come The Groove Dudes, Moody Beaches, Sunfruits, Delivery, Dorsal Fins, Folk Bitch Trio, The Slingers, Our Carlson, Aplegate, Donald’s House and Barefoot Bowls Club. You’ll see all these acts perform back to back across two main stages.
Complementing live music and DJs, punters can also expect art installations, local food trucks, licensed bars, a Welcome to Country ceremony. Alongside the food trucks, the kitchen at Lot 19 will also be pumping out BBQ goods and vegan curries while at the bar you can expect to find Shedshaker pouring beer straight from the taps, Cloud Cuckoo cocktails, Bodriggy cans, Grainshaker vodkas, Neds Whisky and Picklebacks!
With limited capacity for the event, Backyard Fest is really trying to champion that intimate house party vibe (despite the enormity of the lineup and festival level productions). Festival goers will be able to make the most of the weekend with festival camping (with showers!) available at Campbells Creek Recreation Reserve. Dubbed ‘Camp Cambo’ for the weekend, Backyard Fest has organised free shuttle buses every 20-30 minutes to get campers to and from the festival site (all within 5-10 minutes), making the whole experience a breeze.
To camp, you will need to purchase a camping ticket for Camp Cambo. If you have already purchased a car pass, this will cover you for camping. If camping ain’t your vibe, book an Airbnb or stay in a cabin at Castlemaine Central Cabin & Van park.
There will also be a free shuttle to and from Castlemaine station to Lot 19 every 20-30 minutes, for a five minute ride.
The festival site opens from 4pm on Friday, music stops when the clock strikes midnight, while Saturday will kick off from 12:30pm with the music stopping when the clock strikes midnight.
Backyard Fest 2022 Lineup
Babe Rainbow
Alice Skye
Cousin Tony’s Brand New Firebird
MOD CON
The Stroppies
Andras
WHARVES
The Maes
Ausecuma Beats
Bones and Jones
The Groove Dudes
Sunfruits
Aplegate
Donald’s House
Barefoot Bowls Club
Delivery
Dorsal Fins
Folk Bitch Trio
Moody Beaches
Our Carlson
The Slingers
Backyard Fest hits Lot 19 at McShanag Rd in Castlemaine from Friday November 11 until Saturday November 12. More info here. Keep up to date with the Facebook event here.
