ORGANISING a music festival is more than just a weekend full of fun with over 200 volunteers helping to create a great atmosphere and making sure everything runs smoothly.
For the 10th time, the Festival of King Island is in full organising mode for the first weekend in February 2024.
A very small committee started planning for the next festival just after the last one finished.
They look back, reflect and always wonder if there is anything that can be done better, or can they improve certain things?
Then it all starts again – new poster designs, merchandise, and most importantly, which performers are to be invited for the next Festival.
With a bit of a naughty twist organiser Kim George says: “We want everybody to have a FOKI’n good time – and so we cater for a range of musical genre,”
While most festivals focus on a single style of music, FOKI loves to bring a number of different styles together (folk, rock, Australiana, blues, pop, or jazz), with the focus being that all the punters, no matter what age, have a good time.
Although there are still some organising months ahead, a few new names can already be added to the 2024 festival poster.
The Bad Dad Orchestra is a nine-piece band from Hobart, formed in mid-2015 from a concept devised by the band’s late guitarist Liam Guthrie, that evolved quickly into a powerhouse combination of some of Tasmania’s premiere contemporary musicians.
The band approached the FOKI organisers a few years ago wanting to come to King Island.
The organisers were able to find them a spot in next year’s line-up.
Critics have likened The Bad Dad Orchestra’s sound as classic Australian pub-rock with a modern twist, while others have named it a unique brand of soul.
Since establishing, the band has featured in some of Tasmania’s most popular festival line-ups, like Falls Festival, Party in the Paddock, Bruny Island Blues and Roots Festival.
From the Gold Coast, FOKI will welcome a folk, alt, and rock-influenced three-piece band. Is Man Kind.
The members of Is Man Kind have been playing music for years, though this act only came together at the start of 2021.
Prior to this, lead singer and music mentalist Mars Sahara, and his son, and drummer, The Doctor, were a duo powerhouse.
To add a bit of that sexy pizzazz from a key’s player is Captain Jack.
Combining they produce a sound that morphs the influences of The Doors, Pink Floyd, Jeff Buckley, and Santana with a hint of Chris Isaak. And their musical statement.
“Music for us is about providing a show, not just the noise, so everything we do is about giving people an experience to remember.”
A bit of an international flavour will be provided by brothers Joel and David Havea.
For Joel, listening to old Tongan music has always transported him to that place. Born to a Tongan father and a Dutch mother in the friendly island’s capital of Nuku’alofa, Joel was raised in the rich cultural landscape of Melbourne.
Since relocating to Europe, Joel has played hundreds of solo and trio shows in over 20 countries, spanning four continents.
In the process, he has become a fixture on the festival and club circuit, with performance highlights including Dubai Expo 2020, Bardentreffen World Music Festival (Nürnberg), Reeperbahn Festival (Hamburg), London Folk Festival, Bendigo Blues and Roots Festival (Australia), Copenhagen Songwriters Festival (Denmark), and the prestigious Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland.
Those visitors who enjoyed Bobby Alu in 2018, will enjoy Joel Havea too.
The FOKI 2024 list of performers will grow during the coming months, with some returning performers and of course some local bands.
To secure your spot on the foreshore of Currie Harbour, go to foki.com.au and book your discounted early bird tickets now.