A Party You Wanna Go To: Listen Out

Parklife no longer exists, but from its ashes comes a new event that takes a more intelligent line. Let’s call it a boutique festival. It’s called Listen Out.

In a landscape over-saturated by music festivals, Listen Out is a handcrafted joint that focuses on quality over quantity. Four inner city venues across Oz will light up this Spring, being Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth. The Sydney stop encompasses Loch Ave South and Brazilian Fields in the heart of Centennial Park, and Listen Out’s self-proposed description couldn’t be more apt: “The antidote to many of the things you don’t like about big music festivals. Say goodbye to endless timetable clashes, long hikes to the 12th stage and spending your day with 50,000 people you can’t relate to.” You had us at hello, Listen Out.

So, lineup. Front and centre is Disclosure, the embarrassingly young Surrey (UK) duo, bros Guy and Howard Lawrence, aged 18 and 21. Their single, Latch feat. Sam Smith, is one you should know. Their roots are in old school UK Garage, but it’s all accessible and a little more housed-up. Their new album, Settle, is exquisite listening.

Then there’s Harlem-ghetto-queen-who-we’re-kinda-in-love-with, Azealia Banks. You came for the explicitly brash 212 (how do you make the word Cunt so innocent?), but stayed for the throwback of 1991. Gurl digs digits.

Uh, TNGHT, being Hudson Mohawke and Lunice, land for their debut Australian shows. Duke Dumont brings 100 percent house. AlunaGeorge, who you may’ve heard on Disclosure’s White Noise, also join the party. Miguel Campbell will make you you think you’re at a rooftop party. Classixx will prove it ain’t just a clever name. John Talabot will hypnotise you. Touch Sensitive will undress you. What else do you need?

So, where to enjoi:

Sydney | Saturday 28th September @ Centennial Park, 2pm – 10pm
Perth | Sunday 29th September @ Ozone Reserve, 2pm – 10pm
Melbourne | Saturday 5th October @ Observatory Precinct, Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne, 2pm – 10pm
Brisbane | Sunday 6th October @ Cultural Forecourt, South Bank, 2pm – 10pm

Tickets here. Full site here.

Welcome to your sanctuary.