Australia's fastest growing rock festival, Hotfest, is expanding its reach this year, adding Gold Coast, Townsville, and Adelaide to their Melbourne and Sydney shows with a musical extravaganza showcasing the best of Australian music from the past, present, and future.
Growing from the desire to see up and coming unsigned bands perform alongside some of the nation's heavyweights,Hotfest has grown from a one city experiment into a travelling showcase, with at least one local act per show getting the opportunity to experience the thrills of a large scale event.
A singular vision to nurture, promote and expand Australia's musical talent pool has seen Hotfest uncover acts such as Sisters Doll and Dangerous Curves and with this years Hotfest Legends & Up and Comers Tour now gives bands with an abundance of talent but a lack of exposure an opportunity to rub shoulders with and play alongside the heavyweights of Australian rock.
Hotfest not only provides a musical outlet for unsigned local bands but also provides them with a first-hand look at how their peers prepare and operate by living and breathing the essence of rock at a one-day festival that encourages musical growth amongst not only performers but to the lifeblood of every artist - the fans.
We are proud to welcome the following bands to Hotfest II.
SWANEE - John Swan, universally known and loved as Swanee, is one of Australia's best known live musicians. With a career spanning more than half a century, Swanee first tasted success replacing brother Jimmy Barnes in Fraternity in 1974, which had previously been fronted by Bon Scott. Opting to pursue a solo career, Swanee began his musical legacy with a cover of 'If I Was A Carpenter' being followed by 'Temporary Heartache' and 'Lady What's Your Name' in the early 1980s. By the mid-1980s Swanee returned to bands, replacing Angry Anderson as vocalist for The Party Boys, spawning the hit singles 'He's Gonna Step on You Again' and 'Hold Your Head Up'. Although maintaining a constant live presence, Swanee's recorded output diminished through the 1990s and 2000s before returning with the album Have A Little Faith in 2007 and One Day At A Time in 2014. Hotfest sees Swanee add yet another chapter to the extraordinary success and longevity of a man who is rightfully regarded amongst the best Australia has produced.
KEVIN BORICH EXPRESS - After founding The La De Das in the early 1970s, Borich penned the timeless classic 'Gonna See My Baby Tonight'. Described by Australian rock music historian as "one of the most celebrated guitar players in the history of Australian rock" Borich formed Kevin Borich Express in 1976 performing lead guitar duties and lead vocals for a band that has consistently since been ranked amongst the countries best live acts. After a stint as guitarist for The Party Boys Borich refocussed his commitment to Kevin Borich Express and has been a mainstay on the Australian touring circuit since. Winner of the Heritage Award at the 1999 Australian Blues Music Festival as well as being inducted into the Australian Blues Foundation Hall of Fame in 2003, Borich is a true icon of Australian rock and blues.
TASTE - After starting out as more of a glam rock outfit in the mid-1970s, Taste became the youngest recording artists for Warner Music and recorded three albums for them. They hit the Top 20 with 'Boys Will Be Boys' and were the first band to appear on the pilot for Molly Meldrum's Countdown before disbanding in 1979. Now, Taste are back with a harder progressive rock sound, sickened by what they perceive to be a lack of real rock direction in modern music. Bridging power chords and riffs of the late '70s with contemporary sounds and subjects, Taste has returned as the saviours of Australian rock with 2016 album Life On Earth. In the words of Brian Mannix "if Metallica and Queen had a bastard baby it would be called Taste".
MARIE WILSON - Female singer/songwriter Marie Wilson represents the new breed of Aussie rock chicks - hard and uncompromising with a burning desire to succeed that has seen her already nominated twice for an ARIA Award as Best Australian Debut Talent and Best New Artist. Having worked with Bryan Adams and Mark Hudson (Aerosmith), Wilson commands respect with a strong voice combined with hard-hitting acoustic guitar playing and world-class songwriting ability. With a stage presence that demands attention, Wilson is the quintessential rock chick that Australian music has been crying out for.
TYLER JAMES - Hailed the "next big thing" by 96.9 Star F.M, James represents the new breed of Australian rock musicians. Talented, young, and hungry for success James is renowned for his high energy rock show. With an alluring voice and electrifying guitar work, James has performed at the 2017 Kiss Kinvention alongside Peter Criss and Bruce Kulick and has set himself for a breakout year in 2019 following the release late last year of his self-titled debut EP.
CASSIDY PARIS - Rarely does a person still in their teens command such excitement within the music world as Cassidy Paris. Promoting girl power by bringing back rock chick fronted melodic pop-rock in a climate that is becoming increasing sanitised, Paris has laid the platform for future success with the singles 'Talk About It' in 2017 and 'Stand' in 2018, earning her a spot at last years Melodic Rock Festival in Chicago. With third single 'Walking on Fire' cementing her growing reputation Paris is the current leader of an emerging pack of young female musicians that represents the future of Australian music.
THE BABES - The Babes are a sexy, gutsy rock and roll band delivering a brand of music that brings old school rock into a modern setting. They make music for the underdogs and see themselves as the love child of AC/DC, Rose Tattoo and Skid Row with more than a passing nod to Southern rock Gods Black Stone Cherry and Monster Truck. They have toured extensively overseas, performing at the renowned Whisky A Go-Go and Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, as well as a live national TV performance on Las Vegas' Morning Blend TV to two million viewers. Unafraid to let the power of music command their live performances, The Babes are more than a sum of all their influences - they are a musical force unto themselves.
THE MENACE - This Adelaide power trio has their own distinctive hard rock style that transcends traditional musical boundaries. Having reached number 1 on community radio with their debut album My City, The Menace are powerful, passionate and loud. With a goal to bring rock back one note at a time The Menace show more than just promise and musical intent, they also provide a bit of mongrel that separates the contenders from the pretenders.
BAD MOON BORN - It is hard to believe Bad Moon Born were conceived less than five years ago, with a supporting resume that already includes Hardcore Superstar, Theory of a Deadman, Skid Row and Pop Evil. This Sydney five-piece hard rock outfit are building a reputation that is matched only by their output and deserve their reputation amongst the current cream of Australian rock bands. Recently released EP War Is One solidifies that belief with a powerful sound that emulates their feats in the live arena. With a fan base that grows with each performance, Bad Moon Born are not only a band to watch out for, they are fast growing into a force to be reckoned with.
SERPENTINE SKY - Formerly known as Serpentine, Serpentine Sky are renowned for their energetic live show which combines shredding guitars with three-part harmonies and huge melodic choruses. After a 25 year hiatus, Serpentine Sky returned to Australian stages in 2016, losing none of their prowess and bursting back onto the scene as though barely a day had passed. With a sound that is obviously timeless and a dedication to their craft that has seen them lose none of their appeal despite a prolonged absence, Serpentine Sky are living proof that music knows no boundaries except the ones you place on them yourself.
BOUNTY HUNTERS BAND - This three-piece blues-rock power trio play a selection of their own material as well as covers and throughout the course of their three original albums have established themselves as a band on the rise. Winning the prestigious Australian Songwriters Association Awards for Best Rock/Indie Song and Best Live Performance for 'Crack of the Whip', Bounty Hunters Band have recently released their new single ' Dyin' To Live' which will be followed by a full-length album later in the year.ic knows no boundaries except the ones you place on them yourself.
THE RADIO SUN - With last years album 'Beautiful Strange' The Radio Sun turned growing potential into success with an album full of catchy songs and layered harmonies with a guitar edge that encapsulated the essence of melodic rock. With a prolific output of albums that has seen them release five albums since forming in 2012, The Radio Sun dispell the myth that familiarity breeds contempt. Following performances at the US Melodic Rock Festival and Sweden Rock Festival, The Radio Sun return to their homeland with a live performance honed by appearing alongside some of the worlds leading bands of their genre.
BOUNTY HUNTERS BAND - This three-piece blues-rock power trio play a selection of their own material as well as covers and throughout the course of their three original albums have established themselves as a band on the rise. Winning the prestigious Australian Songwriters Association Awards for Best Rock/Indie Song and Best Live Performance for 'Crack of the Whip', Bounty Hunters Band have recently released their new single ' Dyin' To Live' which will be followed by a full-length album later in the year.
BIGFOOT MAFIA - Cairns based rock trio Bigfoot Mafia have shown their versatility through diverse supports ranging from King Parrot to Luca Brasi. Their infectious blend of hard rock and melody has carried them on a tour through Queensland on the back of last years album Home Sweet Home, with a live performance that encapsulates the rugged nature of the Far North laced with the tranquil beauty of its surrounds.
A SOMERSET PARADE - Hailing from the East Coast of Australia, A Somerset Parade have been steadily building a following since forming in 2015. A five piece Alternative Pop Punk outfit with a crushing live presence, A Somerset Parade have toured overseas as well as here in Australia and are looking to spread their music even further at Hotfest Coolangatta.
Please note that not all bands feature on each lineup. Information on individual Hotfest shows can be found on Facebook.
(HOTFEST ADELAIDE - THE GOV HOTEL, SUNDAY JUNE 2)
HOTFEST SYDNEY - THE BRIDGE HOTEL, SATURDAY JUNE 8
HOTFEST MELBOURNE - SHOPPINGTOWN HOTEL, SATURDAY JUNE 15
HOTFEST COOLANGATTA - COOLANGATTA HOTEL, SATURDAY JUNE 29
HOTFEST TOWNSVILLE - ROSS ISLAND HOTEL, SUNDAY JUNE 3