The Gum Ball Music Festival, is an all age camping, byo, music festival, located at Belford in the Hunter Valley, NSW.
For all the fresh and juicy first hand info on The 8th Annual Gum Ball Music Festival, to be held Friday 27th & Saturday 28th April 2012, be sure to join our mailing list and facebook page.
THE LATEST NEWS
Gummy’s Shuttle service is now taking bookings…see below and also the post on the home page.
This is the last week to be able to recieve pre sale General Admission through the ticketing page. You can choose between Full Weekend and Sat Only, there’s also heavy discounts for accompanied minors
The 2012 line up is out along with playing times. Hopefully you’re as stoked as we are to be having so many great acts from all around Australia coming to play ONE BY ONE in the front yard at Dashville. You can check out all the bands via the line up page and The Gum Ball Facebook page. (see links just there on your right->)
All tickets include onsite camping, but for those interested in delighting in a further pamperous weekend, please visit www.winecountry.com.au for a thorough list of accommodation options outside of the festival site,. We’ll also be posting festival specials through our facebook page shortly. For all accommodation outside of the festival within the greater Pokolbin region, a shuttle bus service will be available, just need to speak with Wine Country Tourism at time of booking, who will pass on your details to us and the bus driver.
If you are not already super keen, then we guarantee you soon will be. Take the time to read through all the info, catch up to speed and get ready to roll into what many know as the most laid back festival you will ever experience.
Its been around for a while, this will be its 8th year in fact, chipping away doing its own thing, rolling with the punches, building a dream, to what some may know as the ultimate live music experience.
This is our – in a nut shell - speil…
Invigorate Yourself – The Gum Ball is an awesome experience. To read the history page, you’ll see we’ve worked pretty hard over the years to establish ourselves as a real boutique music festival for the people, with nothing but the simplest of necessities.
A weekend in secluded bushland, full of awesome live music & art, onsite camping, BYO, delicious food, market stalls, kiddies mega playground, heaps of games and prizes, some big warm fires and a classic vibe similar to your mates backyard party.”
HOW IT HAPPENS AT THE GUM BALL
Well as it goes..you roll on in down the track (excited as all hell) Friday arvo (gates open 4pm-9pm) or Saturday morning (gates open 9am-10pm). Be greeted by our lovely team to show you to your camping area, there it’ll be, right in the bushy action, overlooking the glorious stage and arena.
The event is all ages, children are most welcome but under 18 must be accompanied by a responsible adult for the duration.
No $8 cans of mid strength here, this event is BYO. But we ask you very kindly to respect this privilage PLEASE DO NOT BRING GLASS BOTTLES! it is CANS ONLY.
Crack out the dancing shoes, chair, rug, tailgate or log(log supplied) on Friday night we used to call it a small prelude showcase, but now we call it the Heart Starter, with around 6 great acts set to warm your weekend up. Not ready for a snooze yet? Then dabble in a bit of the late night Silent Disco, most generally do.
If your feet or eyes don’t lose the battle before, then soon enough will come the main event, Saturday’s super special showcase starts around 10am. Starting off real cruisy, it’s designed to take you on a journey. Revealing a fine selection of what Australia and the rest of the world has to offer, from rock, country, roots and blues, to hip hop, funk, soul and world music, all on a relaxed schedule over just the one big central main stage.
There’s no real need to run around too much, though you can if you want to of course. There’s some great food and market stalls catering for all spectrums, heaps of activities and further entertainment for the kiddies, and the adults too for that matter… this year we’ve got belly dance and hoola hoop workshops, face painting, buried treasure in the beached pirate ship, full blown magicians, heaps of art/craft activities, shuttlecock etc…
The live music ends around midnight, by then you’re generally content to swagger to the tent or chill out around the fires, or possibly chuck on some headphones and jump around in the Silent Disco to some great old school tunes until the wee hours. But if thats too much then maybe just sing a song and await breakfast in the morning…then I guess if your up for it and in the area, on the Sunday afternoon, go and recover at the official after party at The Junkyard Maitland.
Location is within the secluded bushland of Johnston family Estate, affectionately known as Dashville, 103 Kirkton Road, Lower Belford (turn off New England Highway just west of Branxton)
HERE’S THE DEAL…
Naturally we want everyone to have a right ol’ time, so in order for that
to happen, you need to study all these points of interest, in particular the
do’s and don’ts.
WHEN TO GET THERE
FRIDAY Gates open 4pm-9pm, don’t arrive outside of these times as the gates will be locked. Saturday gates open 9am, music kicks off 10am, get there nice and early, any later your missing out.
HOW TO GET THERE
IF DRIVING – Get onto the New England Highway, the main highway running through the Hunter Valley. Belford is between Branxton (5mins) and Singleton (15mins) turn north into Kirkton rd, head through Belford National Park, follow the signs about 4km in, entry will be on top of a hill, on your right no. 103… too easy!
GUMMY’S SHUTTLE SERVICE - all seats must be pre booked via email info@thegumball.com.au
FRIDAY 27th
Newcastle Airport – Departs 2pm -coincides with best flights from Brisbane, Melbourne, Canberra etc. ($20 return) takes you to the Grand Junction Hotel for a few refreshments and window opportunity to grab supplies etc
Grand Junction Hotel (Maitland Train Station) Departs 4pm to festival (arrive just after gates open). If travelling from Sydney you need to catch the 1115 or the 1215 service from Central Station, change over at Hamilton onto Hunter Line, and head to Maitland. ($20 return)
SATURDAY 28th
Shuttle will depart from Victoria St Station (East Maitland) at 10am (change of station is due to SteamFest which restricts access to Maitland Station) servicing Vineyard region arriving at the festival around 11am. ($20 return or less)
Other shuttle services are available on our smaller 10 seater bus, but must be pre arranged and priced accordingly.
SUNDAY 29th
Return shuttle departs from festival at 10am, and takes you back to Maitland for all public transport connections.(and possibly the official afterparty at the Grand Junction Hotel)
So by all means if the mentioned shuttle service doesn’t work for you, give us a shout, via info@thegumball.com.au or post a note on our facebook page and we will do our best to help find a solution.
The best thing about this situation is that the Gum Ball crew are such a friendly bunch that you’ll have no worries scoring a lift if you put the call out!
For all people driving out to the event, we ask you to please be responsible in two ways, firstly drive carefully, people are dieing all the time on our roads from simple sometimes careless activities, and if its not people, its our lovely fluffy native animals. The other thing to do, is to make sure that you’ve got a full car of passengers. Car pooling, is not only better for the environment, but it will allow for a lot more space in the camping areas.
CAMPING
The camping set up is simple, and thats the way we like to keep it, no such thing as a bad spot as its all there surrounding the venue, you’re welcome to bring your caravan/poptop, just need to get there early around 4pm Friday. Any troubles with camping, need supplies etc send us an email and we’ll try and sort it out
ENVIRONMENT
We here at The Gum Ball feel a strong sense of respect for our environment and if you are coming to this event you have no choice, but to feel the same. When you purchase a ticket, waste management becomes your responsibility just as much as ours, and ultimately your response to waste management will determine the future of the event
The plan is to avoid bringing anything to the event that is non recyclable. Everything should be aluminium, paper or plastic. We will have a stack of recycling bins at the festival and camping areas. Another new installation will be strategically placed can crushers in key locations
All you’ve got to do, is make the effort, read the signs, crush and dunk accordingly.
For people who are camping, you will be issued with an extra set of garbage bags, please use these. Clear
is for cans and plastic. Black is for banned(everything else).
In the morning it will be your responsibility to clean up your site. So do your best, respect your position, remember nothing in this world consumes more then
we do.
BRING PLENTY OF FUNDS- EFTPOS will be available but it’s usually best not to have to rely on it.
FOOD
We suggest not to bring any food at all, if you have to, bring some of those sweet treats you can hide in your swag for when you go down.
There is going to be heaps of super grub ready and available to cater for absolutley everybody. Just off the top of my head, this year we’ll have some German, Portugese, Italian, Moroccan, Australian…..Vegetarian. There’s also coffee, chai, ice cream, lemonade, homemade cakes and treats..so yes prepare to be stuffed!
Breakfast will be available both Saturday and Sunday mornings
THE MARKET MALL
There is going to be some really cool little art, craft, clothing, jewellery, trinket etc stalls in and around to stop shoppers from shaking. There are still a few spots available, hit the contact page for enquiries. There will also be a merchandise stall, set up for all produce associated with the bands and the event. Please be ready to check them all out and support their efforts on the day.
KIDTOPIA PLAYGROUND + FULL BLOWN CIRCUS
Come on bring the young ones along!
The Gum Ball prides itself on being a family orientated/child friendly atmosphere. We’ve included some extras into the program for the kids this year, not just an awesome playground, but a whole bunch of workshops and activities set up in full sight of mum and dad, set up through the day aimed at keeping them active and interested. I remember when I was young and my oldies took me places, had some great times, but definitely scarred me for life. Just remember that on the day, we like to ease the strain, but ultimately they are your responsibility.
PLEASE NOTE : Under 6 is free, 7-12 is $30 and 13-17 is $80. All tickets are to be purchased by the parent or guardian responsible.
DISABLED ACCESS
The site is wheelchair accessible. There will also be a special disabled podium and disabled toilet close by, along with plenty of friendly assistance from Gum Ball staff and volunteers as required.
SHADE/COMFORT
The Gum ball is proud of it’s shadyness… we’ve got some cracker Gum trees scattered about for both your viewing and visor pleasure, we’ll also have lots of undercover areas with tents marquees etc because of the rather unpredictable weather, it is advised to come prepared for any situation that may arise… start with a bit of sunscreen, end with a raincoat and woollens!
If your type is the one with sore legs at the day then feel free to bring your own picnic set up i.e chair, rug, umbrella etc
REST ASSURED…We’ll also have plenty of fire warmth to keep you toasty all weekend long!
SMOKING
We understands the need to smoke, it has many positive features, why else would all the movie stars and Indians do it? Now please listen here, if you smoke, place your cigarette butts in a container, do not leave them on the ground, amongst other things they are not biodegradable. A really popular idea you’ve probably seen by now, is to bring an empty film canister and put them in that. empty it, fill it back up etc. People will really be impressed by your efforts and more then likely, you will make new friends!
OP SHOP BOP
There’s some more info on the win stuff page about this one, but rolling in after the success of last year, once again you’ve got the opportunity to come dressed in your best Op Shop clothes and go in the running to win the glamorous and highly toted King and/or Queen of the Ball. Which amongst other priviliges, entitles you to a double pass to next years event! (Just another bit of fun to support local charity.)
COOL CATS ON THE COUCH COMPETITION
This is an exclusive comp for those who purchase first release tickets. This is generally drawn out of a hat at the start of March. You need to be on the mailing list and purchase first release tickets to be in the running for this awesome prize of your own lounge room for you and five mates in the middle of the arena, with free food and beverages for the day.
DON’TS
Quick list of the main rules:
- no glass
- no personal fires
- no bungers/fireworks(see no toss clown section)
- no illicite drugs
- no toss clowns
- no moshing or stage diving
- no chair throwing
- no pets
- no 6 man tents for two people
- all children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult
- no ticket, no entry
- Photo ID to obtain wristband
- people attempting to cheat the system will be ear tagged and thrown out.
Quick check list of things to bring
tickets, wallet, car keys
Op Shop Bop attire to win King/Queen of the Ball
- Full carload of friends (if you have any, if not, that’s cool)
- slip slop slap attire
- chair/rug
- soap/towel/pluggers
- tent/swag/sleeping bag/head rest etc
- friendly attitude
- dancing shoes
- contraception?
If you have any troubles on the day, an Event Control Point with First Aid station will be located in the arena and a number of suited volunteers will be on hand around the grounds, ready to assist.
Drink driving is something that selfish, stupid people participate in. Police will no doubt be in force on main roads outside the event.
If there is anything that you’re not sure of then go to the contact us page, drop us an email with your query, we’ll be happy to help out.
Just so your all over it, we regularly send out up to date info first hand via email, so make sure your on the mailing list. This is also the place to get cheap deals and hints and tips for your big day, just click on the link on the home page.
earlier comments
More then just your standard music festival, Gum Ball has become a unique celebration of our music, our art, our history, our friends, our culture and most importantly, ourselves as individuals.
The reason Gum Ball is so unique, is that it’s gone wide, seperating itself from the flourescence of the city, bringing people back to the roots, keeping it real, doing things quite simply, in its own special way.
Thank you to the people who’ve made it what it is today.
Gum Ball is always interested to hear from people, of all age, with fresh ideas and ambition, as thats what this is all about… if your a budding young artisan, be sure to know about this one!
