Brace yourself for three days of Dirt & Asphalt Drags, Rock’n’Roll, Hot Rods, Choppers and Customs this December.
Rain, hail or shine, the drag races of the 1950s and 60s went off regardless. Tearing up the dirt and mud, flicking it up into the wheel trims and panels of the hundreds of cars and bikes that took its path. Regional Victoria’s Chopped festival is homage to this time and returning for 2022 with more than 25 powerhouse bands performing, it’s an event that’s for the rockers, the petrol heads, hipsters and greasers.
Hailed a hybrid hot rod, motorcycle and music camping festival that embraces the path less trodden by mainstream society, Chopped is making a triumphant return for its 11th year, taking over Carisbrook with a wild three-day event (from December 2 to December 4 2022) headlined by Melbourne’s explosive retro-punk rockers Amyl and the Sniffers, presented by Always Live.
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Since 2016 Amyl and the sniffers have been a snarling, dirt-covered gem of the Melbourne punk-rock scene. They sport a raw, 70’s style in sound, dress, and attitude, and their records demand being played at max volume, which barely compares to their blistering live performance, which sees Amy consistently delivers maniacal, lewd energy as she careens around the stage between her mulleted companions. Renowned for their ball-tearing live show, Amyl and The Sniffers – rounded out by guitarist Dec Martens, bassist Gus Romer and drummer Bryce Wilson – has gone from strength to strength in recent years, going from Melbourne dive bars to US television screens, bringing along their raw self-expression, defiant energy, and unapologetic vulnerability.
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You couldn’t find a band more fitting to headline the return of this Victorian favourite festival.
Alongside The Sniffers, Chopped have managed to lock in the best Australia’s got in rock, rock, garage, psych and country who will take to the the Main Stage & Wolfman’s Rambling Truck including the likes of Andy Golledge, C.O.F.F.I.N, Grindhouse, Smoke Witch, Parsnip and Nick Nuisance & The Delinquents, among many others who will keep you pumping throughout all the action of the cars and bikes in the smoke and dust. You can peep the full lineup below.
These acts will perform across the iconic ‘Wolfman’s Rambling Truck’ which will roll through the festival by day moving the music to the people through the campgrounds, arenas and displays, as well as the favourite ‘Main Stage’ by night, belting it out in the middle of all the action at the Entertainment Arena.
The music is merely one part of this rip-roaring event. Chopped will also feature noisy, smokey and powerful Asphalt Drag Racing presented by ‘HARD METAL’; the tradition of live ‘Dirt Drag’ racing; and Chopp’A’rammA, an indoor Chopper Motorcycle Show presented by ‘Thanks Tattoo Sydney’. The curative vision of Mitch Bailey, one of Australia’s lead painters within the traditional custom chopper scene, here you’ll find 30 of the best Choppers from across the nation on display. You can also get some fresh ink from the Thanks Tattoo crew who will have their mobile studio on site.
Over in the vehicle arena, punters can get around pre 1966 Traditional Rods and Customs from every corner of Australia mixed with Traditional Style Bobbers and Choppers. Driven and ridden from all corners of Australia these bikes and cars are tribute to the scene, hours of devotion and love are poured into the creation of the vehicles, they are artworks of their own.
Within the Entertainment Area, there’s a truly excellent ‘Young Henrys’ Tiki Tavern and Tiki Isle ‘Cocktail Cave’ where a range of Young Henrys will be flowing among the palm and the coconuts, with cocktails shaking in the island sounds and vibes. Drop in a Saturday night Toga Party and this island will get loose with the late night DJ’s taking over when the Main Stage wraps.
As with every quality multi-day festival, there will also be an awesome range of vendors and food fitting for the scene, no nonsense in here, all are hand picked and really have something to offer.
This is also a camping festival, so get your shit in order because you’ll be pitching a tent. Camping is included in the Chopped Full Festival Pass, and if you have a Camper, Bus, Caravan, 4WD with roof tent there will be a dedicated campground for you all.
Chopped Music Lineup 2022
- Amyl & The Sniffers
- Andy Golledge
- C.O.F.F.I.N
- Grindhouse
- Smoke Witch
- Parsnip
- Nick Nuisance & The Delinquents
- Last Quokka
- Downgirl
- Battlesnake
- Papa Pilko & The Binrats
- Smooch
- Levitating Churches
- Needle Injection
- Blonde Revolver
- Sketch Method
- Split System
- Hot Tubs Time Machine
- The Blamers
- Frontside Backsides
- In Transit
- Prayer Group
- Silver Tongue
- Dead Flowers
- + DJ’s
Tickets are on sale now, with the option of a full festival pass for the duration of the event or a day pass available on all three days.
Chopped will take over Carisbrook Racecourse and Recreation Reserve, Carisbrook, Victoria from December 2 to December 4 2022. Purchase tickets here.
