Patrons enjoying the Gidgestock Experience.
Camera IconPatrons enjoying the Gidgestock Experience. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Gidgestock Music Festival wants to be WA’s Woodstock

Justin BianchiniHills Avon Valley Gazette

A MUSIC festival with aspirations to become WA’s Woodstock has been quietly growing on a 20ha property in the Perth Hills.

It started in 2015 when a bunch of music enthusiasts decided they wanted to give something back to the local community.

Steve and Jo Mitcham had the perfect venue, a property with a natural amphitheatre in Gidgegannup.

PerthNow Digital Edition.
Your local paper, whenever you want it.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

The first year had 14 bands playing at a low-key Gidgestock in October 2015 to an invitation-only audience, who loved what they experienced.

Profits from that first year went to the Kalamunda Community Radio building fund.

Last year, about 300 people attended the day-and-a-half festival on sunny days and a chilly night, making the six fire pits much in demand.

Bands played through the afternoon and into the evening until midnight before hardy campers headed to their tents.

They were up on Sunday for a cooked breakfast and ready for a relaxed live music session.

The Gidgestock Experience is based on the Woodstock theme of peace, love and great music. Just as Woodstock was the launch pad for many top names in the music industry, Gidgestock is aimed at promoting talented emerging WA bands and solo performers from mixed genres.

Musicians donate their services, enabling the festival to donate profits to local causes. This year it will be Manna Inc. and the West Gidgegannup Volunteer Fire Brigade.

This year’s third annual Gidgestock Music Festival is on October 14 and 15.

The venue has had an upgrade to the amphitheatre and the addition of gravel dance arena. Local musicians will play from 11.30am to midnight on the Saturday and from 8am to noon on Sunday, October 15.

The family event has a range of activities, ranging from a bouncy castle to face painting, for children.

Last year, about $5000 in profits was shared between Manna Inc., which has helped homeless and underprivileged people in Perth for 20 years, and the West Gidgegannup Volunteer Fire Brigade.

MORE: Learner driver allegedly caught speeding, drink driving

MORE: Ambulance crashes in Osborne park, two injured

MORE: No trains between Clarkson and Butler on Saturday

MORE: Perth Glory’s Samantha Kerr happy to fly the flag for the women’s game