In the wake of the NSW Liberal Government deeming them a “high risk” event on their inaugural shit list despite the event having never actually taken place before, the cheeky promoters of Newcastle’s brand new UP DOWN fest have responded by taking the full piss, and we are here to reward their efforts 100%.
We’ve just received a press release informing us that organisers have sent a formal invite to the office of one Premier Gladys Berejiklian to attend this year’s festivities, which will feature a dance-heavy roster of both international and local party starters including The Bloody Beetroots, Major Lazer’s Jillionaire, Motez, Nina Las Vegas, CARMADA, Basenji, Kilter and more.
“Gladys Berejiklian can have a guestlist of 10 and might like to bring her friend, Liberal National Party candidate for Newcastle, Blake Keating or Minister for Liquor and Gaming Paul O’Toole for a relaxing afternoon mixer on the foreshore,” write organisers, who FYI are also the team behind city’s THIS THAT festival — also on Gladys’s “high risk” list despite being praised by NSW police just months ago for the implementation of a gold standard crowd care strategy.
The experienced team have directed events and fests across NSW without major incidents or deaths for over 12 years now, and they want the Premier to come along and see their good work for herself.
“We do not condone the use of drugs at any event we run. We want to invite the Premier and her colleagues to UP DOWN to enjoy the experience of why we put these events on, for the music,” they write.
“With the last set finishing at 9pm, it should also suit her bedtime too. We’ve even included a ticket here she can print and bring with her for entry.”
Also in honour of inexplicably making the NSW Office of Liquor and Gaming’s “high risk” festival list, organisers of the brand new Newy fest are also officially renaming their hugely popular “buy four get one free” ticket offer to the “Gladys’ Party Pack”, with all Party Pack buyers from now until game day to receive a complimentary limited edition UP DOWN save live music t-shirt.
The festival has also released their crowd care and harm minimisation info for concerned punters, outlining safety measures already in play for this year’s event.
Other festivals placed on Gladys’s “high risk” list include Laneway, FOMO, Lost Paradise, Days Like This, Subsonic, Transmission, Defqon.1, Knockout Games Of Destiny, Electric Gardens, HTID, Rolling Loud and Ultra.
UP DOWN is set to takeover the Newcastle foreshore on Sunday 17th of March, a week before the NSW election just FYI.
“The three stage gathering has limited capacity to maximize the right vibes. With pop up cocktail bars and the best street food on offer, UP DOWN aims to please,” organisers write. “What to wear Gladys? Dressing the part isn’t just allowed, it’s encouraged so pull out those boardies and back ties, frocks and flowers for the ultimate Sunday session.”
Catch the official UP DOWN set times below.
(Click To Enlarge)
