Aussie icons, rock stars and local talent – Festival of Sails gets ready to celebrate Australia Day in style
Up to 30 performers – from Australian music legends to a local X Factor favourite – are set to rock the Geelong waterfront this Australia Day long weekend. They will be celebrating the 2019 Festival of Sails with performances on two stages and across three action-packed days of free entertainment.
Ceres-raised singer Taylor Henderson, who shot to fame in 2013 when he was the runner-up on the X Factor, will return home as one of the acts headlining a stellar line-up of entertainment for the three-day regatta.
Henderson will entertain crowds from the Waterfront Stage, Eastern Beach Reserve on Saturday, January 26 ahead of the popular Australia Day fireworks display, which is confirmed for 9.15pm.
Aussie music icon Russell Morris and formidable sister act Vika & Linda will also shine at Australia’s biggest celebration of sailing.
Morris will perform after the fireworks on the Saturday evening in the Regatta Village, inside the Royal Geelong Yacht Club, with the glorious voices of Vika & Linda Bull set to entertain the crowds from the Regatta Village on the Sunday night (January 27).
Meanwhile, Whole Lotta Rosie – hailed as the best AC/DC tribute show Australia has ever seen – will also perform on Saturday in the Regatta Village. The Melbourne based band includes artists from some of Aussie’s favourite bands, including The Angels and the Choirboys.
Festival of Sails Chairman Stuart Dickson said with a variety of performers, from rock stars, pop singers and guitarists to children’s entertainers, the stellar entertainment line-up really does have something for everyone.
“It is fantastic to be once again welcoming such an impressive line-up of entertainers to the Festival of Sails. The entertainment is always a highlight for our participants and visitors, a chance to unwind after a big day of sailing,” he said.
“Along with our headline acts there will be dozens of other must-see performances, including local artists, spread out over the long weekend so festivalgoers can bring a picnic and settle in for the afternoon.”
A must-do for families will be popular local children’s entertainers The Mik Maks who will once again entertain the crowds, both young and old on Saturday on the Waterfront Stage.
Other highlights of the entertainment program include Melbourne’s premier New Orleans style brass brand, Horns of Leroy performing on Sunday, on the Regatta Village Stage.
Jan Juc-based performer Libby Steel, who performed at the Queenscliff Music Festival last month, will also entertain crowds on Sunday from the Waterfront Stage.
Meanwhile, young Aussie guitarist Maximillian Rudd is set to wow crowds on Monday from the Waterfront Stage, with his unique music, a fusion of Latin American, jazz, blues and roots influences.
Festivalgoers are being encouraged to visit the Festival of Sails website (www.festivalofsails.com.au) now for the latest information and to plan their weekend.
While free of charge to the public, the Regatta Village area is a controlled area after 5pm and wristbands are mandatory for access.
Members of the public can register for wristbands to gain access online via Try Booking at https://www.trybooking.com/YULR
However, there is a strictly limited number of wristbands available for each night, so music fans are urged to register early to avoid disappointment. Wristband registrations are limited to two per person.
The Eastern Beach Reserve area does not require a wristband. It will operate from 10am until 9pm (Saturday and Sunday), and 10am until 5pm (Monday).
The full Festival of Sails entertainment line-up includes:
Saturday, January 26, 2019
Eastern Beach Reserve Stage
10am – noon – Citizenship Ceremony
12pm – 3pm – Act still to be announced
3.30pm – 4.30pm – Sweethearts
5pm – 6pm – The Mik Maks
6.30pm – 7.15pm – Jack & Charly
7.45pm – 9pm – Taylor Henderson
9.15pm – 9.30pm – Australia Day fireworks display
Regatta Village Stage (Royal Geelong Yacht Club)
3.30pm – 4.30pm – Lucas Phelps
5pm – 6pm – Dom Italiano
6.30pm – 6.45pm – Passage Race Presentation
6.45pm – 7.30pm – Miss Lizzie & The Night Owls
8pm – 8.45pm – Geoff Achison Band Trio
9.15pm – 10.30pm – Russell Morris
11pm – midnight – Whole Lotta Rosie
Sunday, January 27, 2019
Eastern Beach Reserve Stage
Noon – 1pm – Darcy Fox
1.30pm – 2.30pm – Chris Cavill & The Prospectors
3pm – 4pm – Jessica Lorraine
4.30pm – 5.30pm – Taylor Sheridan
6pm -7pm – Libby Steel
7.30pm – 8pm – Church of Rock
8.15pm – 9pm – Church of Rock
Regatta Village Stage (Royal Geelong Yacht Club)
3.30pm – 4.30pm – Francesco Melli
5pm – 6pm – NARDIA Duo
6.45pm – 7.30pm – Chubby Rae and the Elevators
8pm – 8.45pm – Canyon
9.15pm – 10.30pm – Vika & Linda
11pm – midnight – Horns of Leroy
Monday, January 28, 2019
Eastern Beach Reserve Stage
Noon – 1pm – Tess Guthrie
1.30pm – 2.30pm – Maximillian Rudd
3pm- 4pm – Craig & Georgia Sayer
4.30pm- 5.30pm – Craig & Georgia Sayer
Regatta Village Stage (Royal Geelong Yacht Club)
3.15pm – 4.30pm – Jen Hawley
5.45pm – 6.30pm – The Suspects
6.45pm- 7.45pm – The Suspects