The days are ticking down to the return of the festival in October. Photo: David Rogers Photography.
The full line-up for Wanderer Festival has dropped, promising music, art and creativity of all kinds.
Earlier this yea, it was revealed that its 2025 line-up would be led by beloved singer-songwriter Missy Higgins, who’s performing on the Saturday.
One southeast local will join her on the stage, with Wanderer partnering with triple j Unearthed for a competition.
Artists can upload up to three songs to an online portal before the end of the month to be in the running to perform at the festival.
(And yes, you really need to be a local, since they’ll check your postcode.)
“Unearthed has been such as institution for Australian music for so long … they saw it as an opportunity to shine a light on a new act. Hopefully this will be the start of a career,” said festival organiser Simon Daly.
“We’re really excited to be able to support that and have a spot reserved for an unearthed act on Wanderer.”
The lucky muso will join alt-folk outfit Any Young Mechanic, rock quartet Cheeky Leash and blues/rock group The Vasco Era.
Joining their arts programming is La Petite Grande, which is returning to the Wanderer stage.
Earlier this year, Aussie acts Hockey Dad, Cut Copy, Boy & Bear, The Living End, Magic Dirt, Grace Cummings, The Vanns and Emma Donovan were all announced as part of the Aussie contingent.
They’ll be joined by international acts such as Saint Motel, Jacob Banks, Petit Biscuit, Lavern, Nikki Lane, O & The Mo and Dug for the two-day festival.
DJs will take over the Wanderhause stage, with Chicka b2b Rangz, Darcy M. & Carlo T., Jai Cole b2b Kurtis Markwort, Just Andrew, Swell Records DJs and Usual Suspects DJs set to bring down the house.
The program is rounded out with arts performances across the two-day festival – think Circus Trick Tease, Hannah Cryle – Giant Wheel, Josh Philips – Giant Ladder, Hobby Horse Gymkhana, Sam’s Caravan, The Swell – Festival Zeen, I Wear Wanderer, Big Lost Band, Fling Physical Theatre and We Shaped Up Like This.
Shaquille Aldridge and the Duurunu Miru Dancers from Eden will perform a Welcome To Country and a smoking ceremony.
Longtime visitor Simon Daly founded Wanderer in 2022, bringing music, dance and art to the Sapphire Coast in the wake of the combined effects of the Tathra fire in 2018, the Black Summer bushfires in 2019/20 and the COVID-19 pandemic.
The music and art festival has been bringing joy to the NSW Sapphire Coast since it debuted in 2022.
It returned in 2023 with a line-up including Ocean Alley, The Jungle Giants, Spiderbait and Thelma Plum, and more than 70 acts took to the stage.
Its upcoming return in October marks its first outing since becoming a biennial event.
“I think that the year off is a real positive for Wanderer – it’s a complete refresh for our team, but also for our audience, as well,” Mr Daly said.
“It’s only eight weeks or so away, and it’s such a great time of year. Summer is on the way; the days are getting longer and warmer.”
The competition closes at 11:59 pm on Sunday 31 August. Artists can enter or find out more information by heading to Unearthed’s website.
Wanderer Festival will be held on 4 and 5 October at Pambula Beach on the NSW South Coast. Tickets can be purchased for one or both days, and there are also camping options.
