On Wednesday night, at West End’s Avid Reader, A Rock & Roll Writers Festival directors Leanne de Souza and Joe Woolley revealed the full program of events and speakers for the inaugural April event – and once you take a look at what’s in store, you’ll understand exactly why Sydney and Melbourne are so annoyed that little ol’ Brisvegas nabbed this festival for itself!
Celebrating the relationship between music and literature, de Souza and Woolley have put together an incredible roster of names, including iconic music journalist Chris Salewicz, the Dune Rats’ BC Michaels, Uncle Bob Weatherall, and Cold Chisel’s Don Walker. Designed to appeal to music fans, wannabe journalists, musicians, and voracious readers alike, there’s something for everyone on offer over the weekend.
The event is panel based, with speakers taking part in discussions staggered across the two days, meaning festival goers won’t have to miss a moment. Themes range from musical biography, cultural authority, and Aussie slang, to the representation of music in literature, the historical inspiration behind some of music’s most famous movements, and the relationship between music and drug use. It is a rock and roll festival after all!
Extra events are also taking place on Friday and Saturday night, including an intimate show from Deborah Conway at Black Bear Lodge while over at Ashgrove’s Junk Bar, Don McGlashan will be performing his only Brisbane show in support of new album Lucky Stars.
And if all that wasn’t enough, festival organisers have teamed up with Playlistr.fm to curate playlists inspired by the weekend’s events and speakers – just the thing to get you in the mood in the run up to the big day!
With de Souza and Woolley’s personal backgrounds in the Brisbane music scene, this was always set to be a stand out event, and with tickets selling fast, you’ll have to move fast to ensure you get to experience it!
A Rock & Roll Writers Festival takes place on the 2nd and 3rd of April, at The Brightside, located in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley. Tickets are currently available through Oztix, at $119 +bf for the full weekend, with single day tickets being released closer to the event.
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