The second-annual Tent Pole Festival, which was set to take place in just six weeks, has been officially cancelled by promoters. In an email to ticket buyers and on a statement posted to the festival’s website, the organisers have described the cancellation as “a very disappointing turn of events.” It assured readers that the decision was “not been made lightly” and that “there is still strong belief in the event and what it can offer.”
“However, the current economic climate coupled with the difficulties associated with establishing a new regional festival has made it impossible for us to proceed,” the statement concluded.
Dinosaur Jr. were scheduled to headline the event, with the festival serving as part of their anniversary tour for their 1993 album Where You Been. Scottish post-rock band Mogwai were also set to perform, alongside Cajun indie-rock band Calexico and a slew of Australian bands such as Cash Savage & The Last Drinks, Our Carlson, The Belair Lip Bombs and RVG. At the time of writing, the tours for Dinosaur Jr., Mogwai and Calexico have not otherwise been affected.
Dinosaur Jr. – ‘Start Choppin’
Tent Pole held its first festival in March 2023 at Mt. Duneed Estate in Geelong. It was headlined by Pavement, then on their first Australian tour in nearly 13 years. Spiderbait, Magic Dirt, CLAMM, Floodlights and The Schizophonics were also on the bill.
In Music Feeds‘ review of the event, the inaugural Tent Pole Festival was described as “a fabulous showcase of heavier and cerebral rock.”
“As the set progressed, the sound elevated to an ethereal plane,” it read when describing Pavement’s headlining set. “Renditions of ‘Fight This Generation’ followed by ‘Range Life’ and ‘Summer Babe’ were the stand-outs, and of course ‘Cut Your Hair’, which the crowd sang along to with gusto.”
Further Reading
A Guide to Every Australian Music Festival Happening in 2023/24
