A celebration of local indie music that also focuses on building positive messages around mental well-being in the music industry and generally, after its initial Brisbane launch event in April Torch Fest is expanding with Sydney and Melbourne events planned this winter.
Produced by award-winning mental health music charity Listen Up Music, Torch Fest is geared towards bringing together musicians and music lovers to stimulate conversations that impact the community with constructive and beneficial outcomes for all involved."After launching Torch Fest Brisbane in April, we wanted Sydney and Melbourne to have their own editions, so we're doing just that," Ali Taylor, the co-founder of Listen Up Music, says.
"Mental health doesn't discriminate, and so we felt it only right to shine further light on the topic, in two other states, taking place in July and August."
Part of the festival will include each act performing a 'torch' song, representing the light that has helped them through any hardship and/ or mental health challenges – each punter attending Torch Fest will be given a battery-powered torch that they can 'light up' during these songs.
The Sydney leg (3 July) will feature 15 acts and 10 DJs headlined by Phebe Starr, AYA YVES, Imogen Clark, Tiarnie, David Taylor, Jesabel, Amy Vee and many more.
"We're cooking up a storm for the show. You don't wanna miss it!" beams AYA YVES.
Adds Imogen Clark: "Very excited to be a part of Listen Up Music's Torch Fest this July! I love being an ambassador for #ListenUpMusic and it's wonderful to be able to finally get together in person for Australia's largest mental health music festival, especially alongside such a great line-up."
While the Melbourne concert (14 August) will feature a line-up of 13 artists headlined by WILSN and her full band. The recording project of Melbourne-based singer-songwriter Shannon Busch, WILSN's goal is to make classic music; music that isn't easily forgotten.
WILSN will be joined by the likes of Shannen James, Alexander Biggs, Wolfjay, Sir Jude, Jade Alice, RARIA, NUSSY, The Mamas and more.
"Torch Fest's concept resonates deeply with the values of my own work and so I'm thankful to be onboard. Thanks Listen Up Music for your work," Alexander Biggs says.
Adds Wolfjay: "My first festival in over a year! Super excited to be playing at Torch Fest with a bunch of amazing artists."
Tickets for Torch Fest Sydney and Torch Fest Melbourne are on sale now.
Torch Fest Sydney takes place at The Factory Theatre 3 July. Torch Fest Melbourne takes place at Max Watts 14 August.
Torch Fest 2021 Line-up
Sydney
Phebe StarrQueen P
AYA YVES
SAYAH
RISSA
BVT
Sarah Wolfe
Laura Hyde
Imogen Clark
David Taylor
LamBros.
Tiarnie
Seb Szabo
Amy Vee
Little Green
Jesabel
Forward Fox
Daniel Tonik
Oscar Jamo
Loyalty
Loosie Grind
MADAMI
Edgar Boulevarde
Melbourne
WILSNAlexander Biggs
Benjamin Trillado
Jade Alice
NUSSY
RARIA
Ruby Mae
Seb Szabo
Shannen James
Sir Jude
The Mamas
Velvet Bloom
Wolfjay
