Grassroots musicians/ acts take notice, Brisbane will welcome a new festival to the local landscape next year that’s aimed directly at the newcomers and emerging artists in South East Queensland.
Rock On Roma St is the brainchild of Brisbane musician Natalie Repetto, who performs in the band Diamond City. In conjunction with scenestr and 4ZZZ, the day long festival will highlight some of Brisbane's best emerging bands. "There are so many [local] festivals that have interstate and international headliners that [I] thought there should be a festival just for emerging bands that might not necessarily have the same opportunities," Natalie says.
"I really wanted to keep the festival as simple and down to earth as possible; I am managing it alongside my two brothers and my cousin ... We were looking at the Riverstage, but it was very expensive to hire [so] my brother suggested The Amphitheatre [at Roma Street] and we managed to organising the leasing very easily.”
The Parklands AmpitheatreRock On Roma St is set to take place on Sunday 31st May next year. "It's a free, all-ages rock festival at The Parklands Ampitheatre with ten of Brisbane's best emerging bands that will be appropriate for kids, but it still will be a good old fashioned bare bones rock festival — you have to be there!"
The bands will be selected at an still to be announced band competition open to unsigned acts. "We are looking less at acoustic and solo acts and more at large amped bands, we really want to showcase and celebrate the best of what is emerging right at this moment.”
Organising a festival from the ground up may seem an impossible task, but Natalie seems to take it all in her stride with the industry know how and support of the wider Brisbane community. "The real motivation is to help these bands get noticed; they will receive an editorial in scenestr, be played on 4ZZZ and have professional band photos taken.”
There is a real can-do startup feel about the whole initiative. Natalie hopes to raise money through a crowdfunding campaign with Pozible (3rd Sep - 9th Oct), with all funds raised supporting the licensing, band fees and advertising. In return for the investment, Brisbane will be treated to some new, exciting, homegrown talent. "There will hopefully be a nice laidback vibe where people of all ages can come, have a picnic and listen to some great music," Natalie says.
Written by Ted Tabet
Rock On Roma St Music Festival is scheduled for Sunday 31st May, 2015.
