BELOVED COMMUNITY EVENT SANTA FEST RETURNS TO WOLLONGONG ON DECEMBER 14 FEATURING KLP, LENNY PEARCE AND MORE
After a short one year hiatus, Santa Fest is back in 2024, with hundreds of Santas set to descend on the main watering holes of Wollongong for the mother of all pub crawls that will hit 11 local venues and feature 30 live music acts, bringing back this beloved community event in support of local charities Sahssi and Disabled Surfers Association.
Hailed as ‘Wollongong’s Christmas party’, the Santa-laden crawl will kick off at North Gong Hotel on Saturday December 14, before merrily ambling to The Illawarra Hotel, Towradgi Beach Hotel, Humber The Prince, La La La’s, and more, with tickets on sale now from Oztix.
After spreading Christmas cheer for thirty years and contributing over $2.5million towards charitable causes, Santafest had to sit last year out due to challenging conditions, but the spirit of the event has been revived as key figures in Wollongong’s hospitality scene step forward to ensure the tradition continues, albeit with a sustainable new approach, and with a full line up of live music at the forefront, featuring 30 acts across the participating venues, including sets from KLP, Lenny Pearce, Furnace and The Fundamentals, Fleetmac Wood and more.
With the blessing of the event’s creator (Neil Webster), Adam Murphy (Humber/Heyday/Halfway), Josh Hill (North Wollongong Hotel), and Ryan Aitchison (The Illawarra Hotel) have come together to save and rejuvenate this iconic event. Working collaboratively, they are poised to bring Christmas joy and charity back to Wollongong for another 30 years.
“Santa Fest’s humble beginnings started in 1993 with a group of mates coming together to celebrate the festive season and donating presents to the less fortunate. North Wollongong Hotel proudly became the spiritual home of Santa Fest, nurturing the event from one hotel to multiple venues, from a group of mates to 12,000 people coming from all over the world to participate at its peak,” explains North Wollongong Hotel venue manager, Josh Hill.
“This event is culturally important to Wollongong, I came from a Sydney venue, and every local I’ve spoken to has shared a story or two of their fond memories attending this event. The team at North Wollongong Hotel are proud and excited to continue the legacy that Neil started in 1993, continue to support local charities and continue to provide an event that creates fond memories for everyone who attends.”
To make the event future-focused, we know we need to make changes. What was once perceived as a day of intense drinking is now evolving into a Festival of Place. Our goal is to celebrate Wollongong—its people, its live music, its hospitality, its unique character and most importantly, its charities—by inviting people from near and far to Wollongong’s Annual Christmas Party,” says The Illawarra Hotel Publican, Ryan Aitchison.
Tickets to Santa Fest are available now from Oztix.
CHARLIE BEDFORD RELEASES UPBEAT NEW SINGLE ‘DAYDREAM’
Jam-packed with charisma and summery tones, the new single Daydream out today from Australian singer-songwriter and guitarist Charlie Bedfordsparkles with upbeat instrumentation set against frank lyricism. Also marking the first taste of this exciting artist’s new album due out in early 2025, Daydream finds Bedford expanding his blues roots further into upbeat indie rock territory, with the talented musician also primed to perform his latest single live in action in South Australia and Victoria to close out 2024, with some shows also locked in to kick off the new year.
Embracing inspiration from the likes of Neil Finn, Custard, John Mayer, Paul Kelly, Ash Grunwald, Theo Katzman, David Bowie and The Clash, amongst others, Charlie Bedford’s ever-emboldening trademark sonic style finds fresh new terrain on his latest single. A track soaked in honest storytelling, fun and passionate delivery, Daydream flourishes with luminous melodics, driving instrumentation, and an Aussie tinge that also urges its listener to strive for positivity, as Bedford elaborates, “Daydream can be interpreted a few different ways, but the way I resonate most with it is by identifying it as an internal conflict – loosely based around procrastination. The takeaway for me is to realise how easy life can be if you push on, find the positives in your situation and access the willpower to get the important things done.”
Working alongside Mark Lowrie from Guffland Studios to bring Daydream to life, Bedford also amassed a team of fellow creatives to enhance every aspect of his latest sonic endeavours, both on the new single and for the broader impending album of the same name set to release next year. “I worked with a number of people behind the scenes, getting opinions and advice on my songwriting,” Bedford shares. “The person I worked with most overall was my good friend Mark Lowrie from Guffland Studios in Melbourne. He helped me produce, record and master this album. He was fantastic to work with, always open to entertaining my wild ideas and adding a few of his own along the way where he saw fit. I’ve also had the absolute privilege of collaborating with some amazing artists, one of them being a very talented friend Nikota Kelly, we’ve been collaborating closely on the artwork and visual design of my singles and album cover. Her work naturally matched the exact style that I was looking for with these new recordings, our creative flow has been just perfect – it’s been incredible working with her and watching her illustrations come to life!”
Establishing himself as one of Australia’s most exciting up-and-coming artists, Charlie Bedford began his music career playing in bars and clubs at the age of 12, ultimately going on to become a regular fixture on the Aussie pub, club and festival scenes. Growing up surrounded by music, Bedford has performed in North America multiple times, including in Memphis, Nashville and Muscle Shoals, and has performed with band members from many iconic acts, including BB King, Ray Charles and Wilson Pickett. Bringing a modern twist to the blues genre via his 2020 full length album Good To Go, Bedford’s most recent record also reached #1 on Australia’s RMR Charts, #2 on the USA RMR Blues Rock Charts and #14 on the UK’s IBBA Charts, alongside global acclaim. A finalist in the 2020 Music Victoria Awards for Best Blues Album, Bedford has also acted as a Youth Ambassador for The Bendigo Blues & Roots Music Festival, The Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society and Blues Music Victoria, and continues to push his music into new sonic terrain, including expanding his songwriting prowess with his more recent creative pursuits.
“I’ve always listened to and enjoyed many different styles of music,” shares Bedford of his professional evolution from his earlier years as a blues guitarist. “Growing up there was a lot of the alt pop rock world playing – everything from 90s Australia over to David Bowie and The Clash. My real connection with blues music started from getting guitar lessons. My good friend Phil Smith took me under his wing at an early age and invited me to one of his jam nights in the Dandenong Ranges. It was there I discovered blues music, the rawness, grit and honesty. A local blues legend named Billy Kavanagh blew my mind and I was hooked. They told me about the Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society and their Youth In Blues program – and it all snowballed from there, from trips to America through to representing Australian youth and starting my first bands – and so much more! I’m now finding through my original music a bizarre blend of all of these sounds and I’m loving it. The more of a mix focused into one song the better I reckon!”
A passionate audiophile, mentored by some of Australia’s finest, Charlie Bedford’s live performances also shine with his modern amalgamation of pop, rock, blues and soul, with upcoming shows locked in as part of Port Noarlunga Blues Fest in South Australia and also in Victoria set to close out 2024; and the promise of more shows on the horizon.
“I’m currently performing numerous solo shows all around Victoria and surrounds,” shares Bedford. “Daydream is in the set as a more raw and stripped-back version. I’m currently organising the next events for the live show and will be touring it with a full band following the release of the new album!”
“It’s super exciting to finally be releasing this single, I’ve been working on this track and the others from my forthcoming album for a long time now, and to finally share them with everyone will be absolutely awesome,” Bedford concludes. “My new album Daydream will be released February 2025 and I’m ecstatic about it!”
Daydream is out today, Wednesday November 20.
LENNY PEARCE ANNOUNCES FAMILY-FRIENDLY REEF RAVE TOUR WITH SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS THIS SUMMER CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS
Unless you’ve been living in a pineapple under the sea, multi-Platinum and ARIA-nominated DJ and producer Lenny Pearce will need zero introduction. One of the fastest-rising stars in the electronic music scene, Pearce has cemented a global reputation as the trailblazing architect of Toddler Techno and Baby Raves, also working internationally with a star-studded who’s who of beloved kids’ characters and companies. And who better to celebrate the 25th anniversary of everybody’s favourite undersea sensation SpongeBob SquarePants, with Pearce today announcing the Reef Rave tour, jumping on the road this summer to officially commemorate SpongeBob’s quarter of a century milestone.
Kicking off in SA at Adelaide’s Hindley St Music Hall on 21 December, the Reef Rave will then paddle through NSW, WA and VIC, before finishing up in QLD at Toowoomba’s Regent Theatre on 9 March.
Tickets for the Reef Rave tour go onsale to the general public on Friday 15 November at 9am local time from teamwrktouring.com/tours/lenny-pearce-reef-rave, and fans can register for presale tickets now, with the 24 hour presale kicking off on Thursday 14 November at 9am local time.
$1 from every ticket will be donated to the Children’s Hospital Foundation. This is a foundation that funds cutting-edge equipment, vital research and on-the-ground support for kids with all illnesses, injuries and conditions, throughout Queensland and northern New South Wales.
The underwater inspired, fun-filled family day out will include an array of roving performers, face painting, singing, dancing, and of course, Pearce’s famous Toddler Techno Show, with special appearances by Pearce’s favourite friend Kuma The Monkey live, as well as some special surprise guests in store, all in honour of Bikini Bottom’s favourite fry cook, SpongeBob SquarePants. “My Reef Rave is the ultimate day out for the modern family, from newborns through to grandparents – I’ve seen them all from the last tour,” shares Pearce. “It’s an interactive show for the kids, and fun music for both kids AND parents. Families always dress up at my shows, so I’m excited to see how the outfits look at an underwater themed event.”
Honouring a quarter of a century since Nickelodeon’s SpongeBob SquarePants first leapt onto screens back in 1999, the Reef Rave tour ultimately evolved from Pearce’s viral reworking of another children’s fave; and in news set to delight both the young and the young at heart, chances are high that attendees may very well be able to meet the sponge of the hour when Pearce takes to the stage across the summer. “Earlier this year I remixed a few theme songs like the Paw Patrol theme song. It went viral on social media, which opened the doors to working much more closely with Nickelodeon,” shares Pearce. “SpongeBob is turning 25 this year, so we thought it would be good to celebrate his birthday together! We’re planning on having him attend some shows, take photos with the little ones, maybe even sing happy birthday at each show. SpongeBob played a huge role in everyone’s childhood so we’re going to involve him as much as we can in each city. It’s really exciting!”
The renowned pioneer of Toddler Techno, Lenny Pearce is at heart a dad and a DJ, with the talented artist specialising in remixing songs that toddlers know, and that parents can vibe to. A multi-generational sensation, Lenny Pearce is also beloved for his creative talents witnessed as a member of Justice Crew, the Australian dance-pop collective that stormed their way to taking out the crown of Australia’s Got Talent in 2010. Also the brother of fellow Justice Crew member and current Purple Wiggle John Pearce, Lenny Pearce is a born creative, with his recent rise to stardom coming in the wake of 12 months of high octane activations, including a #1 ARIA accredited techno album with The Wiggles, viral renditions of Wheels On The Bus and Macerena, and his infectious YouTube videos that are entertaining children and parents alike, all over the world.
Back in 1999, the landscape of animated TV was changed forever with the advent of a yellow sponge stealing hearts and primetime instantly. SpongeBob SquarePants has gone on to delight generations of viewers, with the show’s whimsical setting, humour and heart amassing a legacy that also extends to video games, merchandise and theme park attractions. Now celebrating 25 years since the world was introduced to SpongeBob himself, his loveable neighbour Patrick, the money-loving Mr. Crabs, the maniacal schemes of Plankton, and the colourful setting of Bikini Bottom as a whole, it’s little wonder why SpongeBob’s joy and laughter has led to it becoming one of the most loved cartoons in history.
Cool off this summer and submerge the family in Lenny Pearce‘s Reef Rave tour, an engaging and inclusive fun filled activity for the entire family.
Tickets for Lenny Pearce’s Reef Rave tour are available Friday 15 November from teamwrktouring.com/tours/lenny-pearce-reef-rave.
LENNY PEARCE – REEF RAVE TOUR
Tickets from teamwrktouring.com/tours/lenny-pearce-reef-rave
SAT 21 DEC | HINDLEY ST MUSIC HALL, ADELAIDE, SA | AA
Tickets available from www.teamwrktouring.com
THU 16 JAN | THE CUBE, CAMPBELLTOWN, NSW | AA
Tickets available from www.teamwrktouring.com
FRI 17 JAN | NORTHS, CAMMERAY, NSW | AA
Tickets available from www.teamwrktouring.com
SAT 18 JAN | EVERGLADES, WOY WOY, NSW | AA
Tickets available from www.teamwrktouring.com
THU 23 JAN | REHCABITE HALL, PERTH, WA | AA
Tickets available from www.teamwrktouring.com
FRI 24 JAN | REHCABITE HALL, PERTH, WA | AA
Tickets available from www.teamwrktouring.com
SAT 1 FEB | CHELSEA HEIGHTS HOTEL, CHELSEA HEIGHTS, VIC | AA
Tickets available from www.teamwrktouring.com
SUN 2 FEB | SHOPPINGTOWN HOTEL, DONCASTER, VIC | AA
Tickets available from www.teamwrktouring.com
SAT 15 FEB | 170 RUSSELL, MELBOURNE, VIC | AA
Tickets available from www.teamwrktouring.com
SAT 1 MAR | HELLO SUNSHINE FESTIVAL, MELBOURNE, VIC | AA
Tickets available HERE
SUN 2 MAR | GEELONG ARTS CENTRE, GEELONG, VIC | AA
Tickets available from www.teamwrktouring.com
SAT 8 MAR | HELLO SUNSHINE FESTIVAL, GOLD COAST, QLD | AA
Tickets available HERE
SUN 9 MAR | ARMITAGE CENTRE – REGENT THEATRE, TOOWOOMBA, QLD | AA
Tickets available from www.teamwrktouring.com