Laneway Festival Prevails Against Council, Will Expand At Callan Park

December 4, 2013

Punters will once again have the chance to enjoy St Jerome’s Laneway Festival at Callan Park in 2014, with Leichhardt Council last night approving an expansion to 12,000 attendees for the festival in February next year.

Mayor of Leichhardt Darcy Byrne said that the vote on an amendment to reduce capacity to 8,000 was tied five-all, but was defeated when he used his casting vote. “In the battle between Laneway and the fun police, Sydney’s best emerging music festival has prevailed,” he said.

Conservation group Friends of Callan Park opposed the expansion and claimed it would impact the park’s heritage sites and raise noise and traffic concerns. The Daily Telegraph reported that the packed debate at last night’s council meeting lasted almost two hours, with people forced to wait outside before speaking. But Mayor Byrne said common sense had prevailed.

“For Laneway to have been curtailed, against all independent planning advice, would have been another body blow for Sydney’s live music scene,” he said. “Dozens of music lovers waited for hours to speak in support of the festival, proving once again that Sydney-siders will fight for their right to party.”

Festival organisers have assured concerned parties they will undertake all proper precautions during the expansion to make minimal impact on heritage items in the park. They will also carry out continual sound level monitoring to ensure the festival does not intrude on neighbouring residents and businesses.

St Jerome’s Laneway Festival will kick off Sunday, 2nd February at the Sydney College of the Arts within Callan Park, see the full lineup and dates below.

Laneway Festival 2014 lineup

Mount Kimbie
Jamie xx
Earl Sweatshirt
The Jezabels (exclusive to Laneway)
Cloud Control (exclusive to Laneway)
Savages.
Adalita
Autre Ne Veut
Cashmere Cat
Cass McCombs
Chvrches
Danny Brown
Daughter
Dick Diver
Drenge
Four Tet
Frightened Rabbit
Haim (exclusive to Laneway)
Jagwar Ma
King Krule
Kirin J Callinan
Kurt Vile
Lorde (exclusive to Laneway)
MT Warning
Parquet Courts
Run the Jewels
Scenic, The Growl
Unknown Mortal Orchestra (exclusive to Laneway)
Vance Joy
Warpaint
XXYYXX
Youth Lagoon