The Thousands

After many teenage years of crippling boredom in Mount Gambier, the only thing that usually succeeds in getting me back there is the obligatory love of my family (and even then my mother would say it’s an uphill battle). The town itself is nothing short of stunning – lush green expanses, a sparkling blue lake, and only a hop and a skip to the beach – but somehow I can’t seem to shake that gut feeling that I’d be better off staying right where I am and watching paint dry. Four years of death metal and cover bands will do that to you.

But then something amazing happened. Riley Ellard decided that kids these days weren’t going to be bored like we were once. Next week she’ll be rounding up a circus of up-and-coming Melbourne bands, sticking them in a van, and bringing them all to a stage set amidst the foliage in the picturesque crater of the Valley Lake. She’s bringing the mountain to the mount, if you will.

And it’s not just for the locals! Tickets are a pittance, so pool your motor vehicles and bring your friendlies down. The drive is an easy 4.5 hours from either Adelaide or Melbourne, and there are camping spots aplenty in town.

Featuring: Redcoats, Dozers, Boy + Girl, Teen Archer, Learn the Splits and many more.