North West Fest Line-Up 2014

Yanchep National Park & Crystal Cave

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Perth to Monkey Mia 4 Day Coastal Loop (Private Single Ensuite)

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1 Day Pinnacles Sunset Dinner Stargazing Tour

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The Bell Tower Experience Tour

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Perth – Arcades & Laneways

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Date Night Tour

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Back for 2014, North West Festival is set to light up Port Hedland once again, but this year will see an exciting new change. For the first time in its history, North West will take place across an entire weekend from 22nd – 24th August, resulting in more acts and more fun.

Beckoning those from the south to escape winter and head north to the rich Pilbara region for temperatures exceeding 28 degrees, this is a festival experience many others cannot replicate. Entertaining ticket-holders this year are groups and artists from all genres. Iconic Rock comes from the likes of America’s The Dandy Warhols and Australia’s very own Wolfmother, Art vs Science will be hitting the stage with Electronic Dance and Hip-Hop comes courtesy of Hermitude and solo artist, Illy. Female singer-songwriter, Missy Higgins, will be dazzling us with her Indie acoustic sound, as will five-piece, Ball Park Music. With mostly internationally recognised and deserving Australian acts to the stage, North West Fest brings the talent to you beside food stalls, arts and crafts and a fully-stocked bar.

The expansive area that is dedicated to North West means that camping is an easy option for accommodation. The campground allows you to pitch up your tent next to your vehicle, while a separate area will put up campervans and caravans. Camping is also free with your ticket (except Friday only and Sunday only day tickets), and while you can bring food in with you, BYO alcohol is strictly a no-no, but the bar in the festival should suffice. If you want a little more luxury, festivalgoers can stay at Cooke Point Holiday Park for the duration of the event with a 30% discount between 21st and 25th August with a minimum stay of two nights. Be aware that accommodation in Port Hedland is generally tight, so book early or get your camping gear for a night under the stars!

To close the weekend, an afternoon of music will take place at Port Hedland Civic Centre Gardens. Sunday Sundowner sees Dustin Tebbutt, Thelma Plum and local artists from 4pm – 9pm on 24th August to round off what is expected to be an epic weekend.

The beautiful setting of Port Hedland in the outback Pilbara region may seem out of reach for anyone residing in Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane, but there are regional flights from all airports to Port Hedland International Airport, with buses and taxis available to get you the rest of the way. The festival is also the perfect excuse to explore a different area of Australia, with a strong mining history, cultural museums and a short drive to the most spectacular landscape in the country, if not the world, of Pilbara and The Kimberley.

ravel to Western Australia

The Line-Up:

 North West Festival is back this year, and with it comes a fantastic line-up. Venture to this unspoilt part of Australia for a festival experience you’ll never forget. We give the rundown of the acts you’ll be watching at North West Festival, 22nd – 24th August 2014.

The Dandy Warhols

An American Rock band formed in 1994, The Dandy Warhols have released eight studio albums and one live album. A play on the name of artist, Andy Warhol, they garnered critical and commercial success following the release of ‘Bohemian Like You’, the second single from their third album, ‘Thirteen Tales From Urban Bohemia’. A mix of Neo-Psychedelia, Pop and Rock, they formed their own label, Beat The World Records, in 2008, and release their own music on it, as well as others, to this day.

Wolfmother

Currently consisting of Andrew Stockdale, Ian Peres and Vin Steele, Wolfmother are Australia’s number one Rock band with worldwide success. Having released their third studio album, ‘New Crown’, back in March, the boys are officially back and ready to show off their sound at North West. Despite line-up changes and a temporary split, Wolfmother continue to own the stage wherever they play, including SXSW, Download and Reading & Leeds, and have performed alongside AC/DC, Aerosmith and Pearl Jam.

Art vs. Science

Explore Darwin, Northern Territory

Bringing Electronic Dance to North West Festival is Art vs. Science, a group of three boys from Sydney that were a hit from the get-go. Forming in 2008, the band won a gig at Splendour In The Grass 2009 and their 2011 debut album peaked at number two in the ARIA Album Chart. They achieved UK success following tours supporting La Roux and Groove Armada. With a mix of Pop, French Electro and Indie, tracks such as ‘Parlez Vous Francais?’ and ‘Magic Fountain’, are set to make the crowd go wild.

Missy Higgins

Melbournian singer-songwriter, Missy Higgins, is Australia’s sweetheart with number one albums ‘The Sound Of White’, ‘On A Clear Night’ and ‘The Ol’ Razzle Dazzle’, despite her dislike for “celebrity”. An amazing talent inspired by Rufus Wainwright, Sarah McLachlan and Sigur Ros, Higgins often travels the country she was born in, and refuses to be labeled as a Pop star. Her strong voice paired with a number of instruments including piano, guitar and xylophone, makes for a hypnotic watch on stage.

Hermitude

Angus Stuart ad Luke Dubber are better known as El Gusto and Luke Dubs, the two members of Hip-Hop Dance duo, Hermitude. Their first release, ‘Imaginary Friends’ EP, was a vinyl-only release, never to have been released on CD, and sold out nationally. Recording their first album, ‘Alleys To Valleys’, in the beautiful Blue Mountains in 2003, the duo would head down to Sydney to try their new material on the crowds.

Explore Nearby:

After you’ve come all this way for North West Festival, chances are you’ll want to see more of Australia’s great west, so clue yourself up with our guide on the best places to go from Port Hedland.

Dampier

A three-hour drive from Port Hedland, Dampier is an idyllic port town with a shipping and exporting history so strong, there’s even a tour at the Pilbara Iron Port to learn the secrets of crushing, stockpiling and loading. Most importantly, Dampier is the gateway to the Dampier Archipelago, a spectacular collection of 42 stunning islands lying just off of the coast. Take a cruise out to one of these protected islets and enjoy swimming and snorkeling in pristine blue waters or lie on the white sands and sunbathe to your heart’s content.

Millstream Chichester National Park

Surrounded by the dry and desolate outback is Millstream Chichester National Park, a utopia of small crystal clear pools, deep gorges and the relaxing Fortescue River contrasting the red rock the Pilbara region is famous for. Located south-west of Port Hedland via both main and off roads, camp beneath the stars at Crossing Pool or Deep Reach, and then embark on a hiking trail to Pyramid Hill. Between July and September, a carpet of wildflowers smothers the ground following the wet season, making it a perfect escape after North West Festival.

Broome

To discover one of Western Australia’s most famous towns, book a few days in Broome. Just inside the Kimberley region, this precious pearling town is home to the beautiful Cable Beach where you can enjoy the unique experience of riding on the back of a camel during sunset, and is the premier spot to view the astounding Staircase To The Moon. If you’re a fan of the movies, why not catch a film at the world’s oldest outdoor cinema, Sun Pictures? With plenty of accommodation and just under an hour’s flight from Port Hedland, this might be your only chance to visit.

Travel to Western Australia

Port Hedland

North West Festival’s location is in fact full of things to see and do that you needn’t travel too far, as Port Hedland itself is a wanderer’s playground. Follow the Cultural and Heritage Trail and learn about the port’s history, or head out onto Koombana Lookout for incredible views. Pretty Pool and Six Mile Creek are perfect for cooling off without stepping foot in the ocean, and stroll along Eighty Mile Beach for shell collecting, fishing, camping and the unbeatable feeling of sand between your toes.

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