Blacken returns for it’s fourth incarnation this weekend as a two day festival, in the dead centre of Australia.
More than twenty bands from around the country descend upon Alice Springs for a weekend of music, camping, and community-spirited heavy metal culture.
Since it’s inception in 2013, Blacken has been bringing heavy bands to Central Australia to play alongside the thriving local scene. The Easter weekend event has become a musical icon in the small town, each year leaving local and visiting audiences asking for more. This year event organisers are delivering exactly that.
The lineup this year features King Parrot, Disentomb, Miazma, The Horror, Colossvs, Mason, Southeast Desert Metal, Alkira, Mammoth, Deadspace, SNAKES, Hidden Intent, Iwantja, The Black Scorpions, The Holy Dimes, Nokturnl, My Enemy’s Enemy, Didgeridoomerang, Metalation and Ashmoon.
King Parrot vocalist Matt Young is a big supporter of the event:
“BLACKEN is one of the most unique metal festivals I’ve ever been to. The local community get right behind the event, and I can honestly say they are some of the most passionate supporters of metal in the world.”
Lochlan Watt of Triple J’s The Racket and Colossvs adds:
“Having been to BLACKEN every year since its formation, I am very excited to see it take the next step. Turning it into a two day camping event is something the dudes have been talking about ever since I had my mind blown by my first taste of metal in the Territory. I can’t wait to be a part of heralding in this new era and everything else that is still to come.“
The event takes place at a new venue, with a massive outdoor stage being erected at the Gap View Hotel, beneath the stunning MacDonnell ranges. The festival site will host multiple gourmet food-vendors, a fully stocked bar, merchandise and market stalls. There is also a camp-ground with showers and utilities, two swimming pools, a skate ramp, street art demos an open-mic session and lots more in store for attendees.
Doors open at 3pm on Saturday and the event continues throughout Sunday. This is a licensed / all-ages event.
Tickets are available from Rock City Music, Stay True Tattoo and online at blackenfestival.com. Load the van and go for (a bloody long) drive?
