Wide Open Space Festival Central Australia – 28th – 30th April

Back for the ninth year in a row, Wide Open Space festival is set to bring a smorgasbord of entertainment to the stunning Ross River Resort in the heart of the East MacDonnell Ranges.

Just under an hour’s drive from Alice Springs, Wide Open Space festival celebrates desert culture and ancient landscape through an eclectic and exciting program of creative events spanning music, art, workshops and performance.

Wide Open Space Artistic Director, Scott Large says of the event, “We embrace all kinds of music at WOS! We’ve always celebrated sounds from across the spectrum from straight up live bands to experimental electronic to the downright theatrical. Alice Springs style has always been a bit of a mash-up, and that adds to the magnetism of this event.”

This year’s festival brings a whole host of exciting acts to the WOS stage with Melbourne’s future soul quartet Hiatus Kyotie, New Zealand’s international loopologist, Reuben Stone, as well as acts such as J:Kenzo (UK) bringing dance and electronica down under, Chimpo (UK) who blends hip hop, bass, trap and more, as well as the fabulous Mojo Juju with her unique blend of blues and alternative rock.

When it comes to celebrating the local culture and getting a real taste of Australia, thanks goes to the traditional custodians of the N’dhala Gorge/Ross River area as their involvement gives festival goers the chance to experience their ancient land. During the festival there is also a pause to stop and acknowledge the culture by watching the men perform a ceremonial dance. Traditional aboriginal culture can also be experienced during the festival workshops such as a bush medicine workshop where you can learn how to use the local plants for healing.

Taking place over three days, WOS 17 is the perfect weekend away where you will get to experience desert culture in a unique setting. Held within stunning surroundings where you can take in the rugged views of ancient rocky escarpments alongside the winding, sandy river bed while immersing yourself in music from world class artists. The weather in Central Australia can be extreme with the days ranging from dry-warm to quite hot, with nights becoming very cold. Although Central Australia enjoys a fantastic climate all year round with approximately 300 days of sunshine every year, meaning there’s minimal chance of rain.

The resort itself offers a unique festival experience as you can cool off with a pool party in the on site swimming pool, chill out in the shade under the many trees and enjoy home comforts such as proper showers and loos.

Getting to the Ross River Resort is also nice and easy as you follow the Ross Highway out of town and turn off just south of Heavitree Gap. Or if you’re without a car you can get picked up by the WOS shuttle operating from Alice Springs airport and town heading to the festival site on the Friday. The shuttle will meet incoming flights from the airport and drop you in town for 1 hour to grab any last minute essentials before heading on to the festival, providing a return service on the Monday morning for outgoing flights and back to Alice Springs.

Don’t miss out on this exciting festival in the heart of Australia.

28th – 30th April 2017
wideopenspace.net.au

Get tickets to Wide Open Space Festival 2017