New coastal festival hits town
A new coastal festival is coming to Manly this spring, with the inaugural Surf + Sound launching across three consecutive weekends from Friday 16 October to Sunday 1 November.
The festival will transform Manly Wharf, and feature live music, a free public art trail, and food and dining experiences. The event will culminate in the Surf + Sound Boardrider Battle at Manly Beach on the final weekend.
Surf + Sound was an idea brought to life by five mates, led by Creative Director James ‘Jamo’ Willis alongside Adam Flaskas, Joel Parkinson, Paul Henry and Lachie Given. Willis brings more than 25 years of international experience across hospitality, surf and entertainment.
Surf + Sound is a celebration of Manly and the Northern Beaches and reflects the surf, music, art and culture that have long shaped the area.
Adam Flaskas, co-founder of Artemis Group and owner of Felons Manly, Hugo’s and Stanley at Manly Wharf, says Manly has a ‘unique energy and cultural vibrancy.’
“Surf + Sound is about building on that,” Adam says. “We’re a group of friends who wanted to create something that brings people together through art, surfing and live music.”
Live music is at the heart of the program, with some of Australia’s most recognised and influential acts set to perform alongside a new generation of artists. Skegss, The Whitlams, Skunkhour, The Beautiful Girls, GANGgajang, Winston Surfshirt and Mudhoney are among the first acts announced, with the full music line-up still to come.
For The Whitlam’s Tim Freedman, Surf + Sound marks a return to the Northern Beaches more than four decades after his first local show.
“It’s been a long time between my first ever show at the Time and Tide Hotel in Dee Why in 1981 and this one,” Tim says. “Just seven kilometres, and 45 years later. It’ll be great to be playing back in the hood, at Felons for Surf + Sound.”
GANGgajang’s Graham ‘Buzz’ Bidstrup also has a long history with the Beaches, having surfed and played venues across the area since arriving in Sydney in 1976.
“I’ve spent many hours surfing here, while legendary venues like The Flix Theatre at Manly, The Royal Antler in Narrabeen and the Manly Vale Hotel have been like a second home to me,” Graham says. “Now Surf + Sound steps up to make its mark, and the GANG are really excited to be one of the first to grace its stage.”
Sydney-raised, New York-based artist Jeremyville has been appointed Surf + Sound’s inaugural art curator and will lead the festival’s art program, transforming Manly Wharf into a free immersive exhibition.
Presenting partner Defender will bring its ‘Adventures in Sound’ outpost to Surf + Sound. As part of the collaboration, Arts-Matter will bring together Australian artists to transform five vintage Land Rover Defenders into an interactive art trail, painted live.
There will be a dedicated food village, curated vendors and market stalls, and a series of special dining experiences.
The festival will finish with the Surf + Sound Boardrider Battle at Manly Beach on 31 October and 1 November, spearheaded by World Champion Joel Parkinson.
“What started as an idea for a surf competition became something much bigger,” Creative Director Jamo says.
“Surfing, music and art have always been a huge part of my life, and bringing those worlds together in Manly is really about friendship, community and celebrating what makes this part of Australia so special.”
SURF + SOUND FESTIVAL
Manly Wharf over three weekends
Friday 16 October to
Sunday 1 November