What started in Perth in 2015 as a 400-person block party has now evolved into a tri-state movement with Freedom Time Festival returning NYE 2017 in Perth and NYD 2018 in Melbourne; 2018 marks the inaugural Sydney event as well.
Renowned for its eclectic line-up, positive energy and free-spirited atmosphere, Freedom Time presents a respected mix of international and local artists in each city, united together for an open-air celebration of music, diversity and community.
A pioneering house producer, Larry Heard (aka Mr Fingers) has created some of house music’s most iconic and enduring tracks under a myriad of different guises across his 30-year career. The Chicago house icon will close out the festival in all three cities.
{youtube}k4vllvhbEzw{/youtube}
Headlining alongside Larry Heard will be legend of Jamaican music and living legend Johnny Osbourne, bringing his roots and reggae sounds. London’s Rhythm Section International will host a special label showcase in each city with local artists hand-picked by head honcho Bradley Zero.
Other additions to the three-state lineup are modern soul duo Silentjay and Jace XL and the percussion based Phil Stroud Band (Perth & Melbourne only), while Swiss DJ and Patchworks Party founder Sassy J will also be sharing her inspired selections across the country.
Perth
Perth punters will be treated to a three stage, eight-hour affair. The day-night event will feature a spectacular selection from the depths of Perth’s dance music and DJ communities including dub and reggae masters Earthlink Sound letting loose on the KBI Sound System, RTRFM presenter and DJ Rok Riley, and the mighty METHODS crew.Melbourne
The New Year’s Day event will welcome the multi-talented disco vocalist Leroy Burgess as he teams up for a special collaborative performance with producer Harvey Sutherland and his All Star Freaks for this inter-generational world debut, plus a set from his famed trio Bermuda.Enigmatic songstress Nai Palm of Hiatus Kaiyote will also perform, along with Melbourne’s much-loved CC:DISCO and highly acclaimed Brisbane-via-London vocalist Jordan Rakei, who’ll infect his soul-stirring, neo-jazz onto the night.
Zambian-born, globally-loved poet and singer-songwriter Sampa The Great will lay down her hip hop magic as well as jazz-fusion four-piece Krakatau providing explosive jams throughout the ten-hour celebration.
Sydney
Wrapping up in style, Freedom Time will take over the leafy surrounds of Sydney University’s Manning Bar and Gardens.Disco soulman Leroy Burgess and boogie minimalist Harvey Sutherland will also be joining the Sydney line-up with local flavour added by some of the city’s finest. Stalwarts Ben Fester and Simon Caldwell will bring their house and techno selections to the day, alongside local acts like Freda & Jackson and Jonti.
International party crew Rimbombo will see their Sydney allies shine as James Greville, Adi Toohey and Earl Grey throw their collections into the mix, while the Inner West Reggae Disco Machine will offer their glorious sound system.
Freedom Time Festival Dates
Sun 31 December - Northbridge Carpark (Perth)Mon 1 Jan - Coburg Velodrome (Melbourne)
Sun 7 Jan - Manning Bar and Gardens (Sydney)
Perth Line-up
Larry Heard (Mr. Fingers)Johnny Osbourne
Sassy J
Bradley Zero
Silentjay & Jace XL
Rok Riley
Phil Stroud Band
Methods
Kuzich
Guy Contact
Manchild
K.B.I Sound System
Earthlink Sound
Charlie Bucket
John Safari
Ginole
Nicole Filev
Jaxon
Melbourne Line-up
Larry Heard (Mr. Fingers)Leroy Burgess & Harvey Sutherland
Johny Osbourne
Sassy J
Bradley Zero
CC:Disco
Nai Palm
Sampa The Great
Wax'o Paradiso
Nozu
Jordan Rakei
J'Nett
Silentjay & Jace XL
Krakatau
30/70
Prequel
Heartical Hi Powa
Phil Stroud Band
Samantha Goldie
Big Rig
Umut
Jeremy Spellacey
Winters
Cazeaux Oslo
Pjenne
Millu
Sydney Line-up
Larry Heard (Mr. Fingers)Leroy Burgess & Harvey Sutherland
Johnny Osbourne
Sassy J
Bradley Zero
Nai Palm
Jonti
Freda & Jackson
Ben Fester
Simon Caldwell
Boogie Monster
Rimbombo
Silentjay & Jace XL
Inner West Reggae Disco Machine
Jimmy Sing
Love Bombs
Mike Who
Cazeaux Oslo
