AFTER cancellations due to Covid, the 10th anniversary Festival Of King Island will be held on February 3 and 4 next year. FOKI has become one of Australia’s best boutique, multi-day music festivals. The very first festival in 2013 was triggered by Kim Churchill (at that time still a young up-and-coming blues/folk artist) reaching out to the community.
From those small beginnings great things have grown. Back then FOKI started out with a rusty old shipping container as the stage, a garage sound system, a few bales of hay to sit on, and everyone bringing along their eskies. Churchill was joined by visiting musicians Red Whyte and Cameron Oates – and it was an amazing evening. Spell-binding performances with the amazing back-drop of fiery sunsets over Currie Harbour left everyone hungry for the festival to continue. From that magical moment the whole community threw its energy into FOKI, which has since thrived to become one of Australia’s best multi-day boutique festivals.
The festival is set in the natural amphitheatre of Currie Harbour, overlooking the harbour, jetty and lighthouse. It is simply one of the most idyllic locations for a festival anywhere. FOKI is 100 per cent volunteer-powered by the community and by many of the island’s most important contributors: such as King Island Dairy; Sharp Airlines and the King Island Brewhouse.
The music covers a broad spectrum, from rock, pop, indie, blues, folk, country and jazz, and over the years the festival has attracted many of Australia’s most talented artists to join the community such as Hoodoo Gurus’ Dave Faulkner and Brad Shepherd; Deborah Conway & Willy Zygier; Violent Femme’s Brian Ritchie; Andrew Swift and Fanny Lumsden. First announcements for FOKI 2023 will see the return of founding performers Churchill and Ben Gumbleton (Benjalu/Boo Seeka) along with Sumner and Medhanit – with further bands to be announced in October and November.
The festival is organised to let visitors take the time to also discover King Island: check out the lighthouses; comb the beaches; surf the famous beach breaks; swim or snorkel; play some amazing golf; explore the part pristine/part rugged coastline and the beautiful countryside, where you can go for walks and feel like you’re the only person in paradise. At the festival you can also dive off the jetty or take a swim in the sheltered bay.
The attractions of the island and the freedom and the easy going vibe of FOKI creates a positive and fun social event that unites the island’s people and attracts musicians, artists and tourists alike – forming one amazing community.
Come along and enjoy FOKI 2023 – it truly is a breath of fresh air.