We were so close to attending the 2009 Playground Weekender festival. Our bags and bathers were packed and everything. But alas, it just didn't happen.
However we did hear it went well, despite temperatures reaching a million degrees (official) and local fires threatening to encroach upon the event situated on the banks of the Hawkesbury River. Meanwhile, Melbourne was in the process of being devastated by the worst bushfires in Australia's history. Yes, that weekend.
We were looking forward to next year's event. Then a month ago there were
reports that organisers of the festival still owed money to bands and contractors from the 2009 event. As it was put to the Sydney Morning Herald by one unpaid Sydney band, "It's not a lot of money - it's more about the fact that he's advertising next year's festival when he hasn't paid people from previous years."
Which left one wondering if the 2010 festival would actually go ahead.
Indeed it is, with the official release of the first lineup today. It also means we have a clear idea of which acts lawyers are working overtime right now, presumably to ensure no such issues occur around the 2010 event. All the acts except for Brian Jonestown Massacre anyway. Anton Newcombe is probably just sending iPhone photos to the publicist of him standing naked on a mountaintop in the snow, kissing a rifle and scratching html code into his chest with a stick. I'd pay that guy first.
PLAYGROUND WEEKENDER - FIRST LINEUP FOR 2010 ANNOUNCED
18 - 21 February 2010
Del Rio Resort at Wisemans Ferry, NSW,
TICKETS ON SALE NOW
Lupe Fiasco
Polyphonic Spree
The Cribs
Brian Jonestown Massacre
Jamie Lidell
Steve Lawler
Bjorn Again
Gui Boratto live
LTJ Bukem
British Sea Power
Norman Jay
Bertie Blackman
Mark Farina
James Lavelle
Prins Thomas
New Orleans Bingo Show
Ewan Pearson
Luna City Express
Gaslamp Killer
16 BIT (Southside Dubstars)
Vincenzo
Unabombers
Charles Webster
Regular John
Goons of Doom
The Jezabels
Black Ryder
PBR Street Gang (2020 Vision)
Kid Mac
Mr Doris
The Cameras
Snowdroppers