AFTER a two-year hiatus, due to Covid cancellations, preparations are in full swing and the momentum is building for FOKI2023.
FOKI2023 is very proud to announce the first set of amazing artists: Kim Churchill, BOO SEEKA, Sumner, Medhanit, The Smokin’ Elmores, Rusty Falcon music, Ella’s Solitude , Bi-De Way, Jess, Sam & Ernie.
This will be FOKI’s 10th anniversary, and it will be held overlooking Currie Harbour Friday 3rd and Saturday 4th Feb 2023. It will be a big one. Let FOKI know if you would like to be a Host. If you would like to show a musician or a band the friendly side of King Island hospitality, contact FOKI as as the festival needs several more Hosts to “ádopt a musician” for the weekend.
It seems like the festival committee has been in planning and organising mode for three years, and now it’s really happening. Decisions have been made for merchandise designs, logos and social media posts are appearing. Electricity blueprints, bar organisation and supply are underway, permits and volunteer crews are being pulled together.
FOKI2023 recently received a grant through Events Tasmania from The Regional Event Recovery Fund which aims to support Tasmanian regional events to build organisational capability and event sustainability, and which will encourage interstate and intrastate visitation. Every year performers who play at the harbour site, eat some of the finest produce on the planet, then in downtime are wowed with the surf breaks, fishing, golf, and view the best sunsets that exist. It is a unique experience and they are looked after by locals, who take them under their wing.
The performers all say, “FOKI is one of, if not the best music festival they have ever attended.” The island’s visitors enjoy a few days where the performing is easy and appreciated. It is rare for musicians to be able to step off the stage, sit with the crowd, socialise with the volunteers, or listen to whoever is next up and choose not to leave the festival site. All describe the festival and King Island as “fun”.
The artists’ Green Room is an important part of FOKI. It has an ambiance of pure relaxation, escape and mind-blowing food and drink choices which range from home cooked country comfort to delicacy. The FOKI Green Room is a bit more than a beveridge of choice, M&Ms and some nibbles. Green Room and performer volunteers look after everything from chat, special requests and keep the food and drink organised and flowing.
There’s BBQ duty and cray cracking, salad serving, watching the fridge, esky topping and simply enjoying being part of the behind scenes with the performers.
Volunteers who assist the performers are involved with airport meet and greets through to farewell as they leave the island. A task maybe as simple as sourcing a jacket if the weather turns cool, directing to where the waves can be found, finding a partner for a round of golf or a charger for a device. Let the FOKI committee know If you think that you can help for a couple hours in the Green Room, with artist care or food prep. Other festival volunteers are needed for behind the bar and at the entry gate. Both are busy and have electronic payment systems, so payment processing is fast and easy.
These areas have flexible rosters with lots of laughs. If you think you would like to sell merch, offer kids support or activities, can catch or crack a cray, flip a steak, or give some time for one of the many little jobs that pop up like parking, airport and sponsor’s goods collections, pickup and delivery hay bales to the festival site, assist with marquee setup, put up banners, signs or decorations and breakdown, food vendor liaison, keeping supplies topped up, pickup and clean-up, campsite liaison, and more – go to the FOKI Facebook page and send a message. Let FOKI know your availability and the help areas that appeal to you.
Put your name and contact on the list and send the committee a message about where and what you can or want to do and become part of the King Island FOKI crew. Wherever possible FOKI only asks for a couple of volunteer hours or one-off help – we want volunteers to enjoy the festival as much as the performers.
If you would like to be added to the food vendors list, reserve your free festival spot now and if you would like ‘to adopt a musician’ for the weekend, please contact as soon as possible. More bands will be announced later in November.
Tickets are now on sale. Go to foki.com.au or facebook.com/festivalofkingisland