Everyone has heard stories about outrageous hospitality riders from world famous bands.
Standouts include no brown M&Ms in the venue (Van Halen), new toilet seats (more than we can write), 100 doves (Mariah Carey), and a mannequin with puffy pink pubic hair (Lady Gaga).
Caloundra Music Festival's (CMF) artist department has fielded some huge riders over 13 years, but none as crazy or outlandish as they secretly hoped.
That changed in 2017 when the opportunity presented itself in an unassuming request by Australian band Kingswood. It simply read 'a surprise'.
A lightbulb moment arrived when CMF's resident programmer and artist manager decided to take matters into her own hands and start creating weird and wonderful back stage experiences for artists. Here are a few of them.
KINGSWOOD
Snakes, wombat, wallaby. Thanks to Wildlife HQ.
Image © Martin Schmidt
ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT
Koala and snake. Thanks to Wildlife HQ.
Image © Martin Schmidt
RED YOUNG
Helicopter flight over the festival site. Thanks to Oceanview Helicopters.
Image © Martin Schmidt
GROOVEMENT
Swimming with seals. Thanks to Sealife Mooloolaba.
Image © Martin Schmidt
The 2019 instalment of Caloundra Music Festival will host the likes of Drapht, Regurgitator, Missy Higgins, Jet, The New Power Generation, Ben Lee, Conrad Sewell, Kate Miller-Heidke, James Reyne, The Cat Empire, Diesel, The Veronicas, Bullhorn, Seeker Lover Keeper, Baby Animals, Motor Ace, Harts, Resin Dogs, The Dreggs, Dave Orr Band, Sahara Beck, Thunder Fox and a stack more across four days of entertainment.
