Beyond the Valley will host Victoria’s first pill testing trial.
The music festival, which takes place annually at Barunah Plains Homestead in Hesse, Victoria, will take part in drug testing trials after the state government passed legislation last month allowing this.
Prime Minister Jacinta Allan said the procedure, which is confidential, anonymous and takes about 15 minutes, “will save lives.”
However, police operations, which often involve drug-sniffing dogs, will continue during the four-day event, which will be held between December 28, 2024 and January 1, 2025.
This measure followed an increase in the number of fatal drug overdoses in 2024.
It comes after news that top Australian DJ Fisher will lead a stellar line-up at this year’s Beyond the Valley festival.
Beyond the Valley will host Victoria’s first pill testing trial. Pictured: revelers, including the Mia Fevola party at Beyond The Valley last year
The music festival, which takes place annually at Barunah Plains Homestead in Hesse, Victoria, will take part in drug testing trials after the state government passed legislation last month
The 37-year-old dance guru joins US hip-hop drill queen Ice Spice at the top of the bill for the four-day event which kicks off on December 28 at Barunah Plains in Hesse, Victoria.
Organizers announced via Instagram on Tuesday the stars of this year’s dance and pop music festival, which will also feature British drum and bass artists Chase & Status.
Gold Coast native ARIA award-winning DJ Fisher will also share the stage with renowned British pop veterans Sugababes.
The girl group, formed in 1998, is expected to wow fans with their classic hits like Run for Cover and Soul Sound.
This year’s ninth BTV festival also features Berlin-based rave king DJ Marlon Hoffstadt, Sydney duo Royal Otis and American R&B pop star Tinashe.
UK Garage music star Sammy Virji will also spin the decks at the 2024 event, alongside British dance pop ‘These Words’ hitmaker Natasha Bedingfield.
Confidence Man, Teenage Dads, Neil Frances and Lola Young will also perform live.
Ghetts, The Rions, Barkaa, Kita Alexander, The Grogans, Billie Marten, The Terrys and Sycco will also take to the stage at the popular event.
Top Australian DJ Fisher (pictured) will lead the stellar line-up at this year’s Beyond the Valley festival, taking place at Barunah Plains in Hesse, Victoria, in December.
The four-day New Year’s Eve rave will also feature electronic acts including HorsegiirL, KI/KI, DJ BORING and SG Lewis.
Located west of Geelong, 126km from Melbourne, the Beyond the Valley 2024 festival takes place between December 28 and January 1.
Event organizers have also announced that one day tickets will be available for the festival with pre-sales starting August 28.
To delight festival goers, fans can check out each day’s lineup on the event website.
Meanwhile, Bluesfest folded after 35 years, marking the end of one of Australia’s longest-running music festivals.
The Byron Bay music festival announced on Wednesday that the four-day event starting on April 17, 2025, will be its ‘final curtain call’.
“Bluesfest Byron Bay, Australia’s most important and most awarded music festival ever, is proud to announce that the 2025 edition will be the final curtain call,” organizers said.
“After 35 years of celebrating the very best in blues, roots music and beyond, the legendary institution that brought the world’s greatest artists to Australia, plus a host of our own, will host its final festival.”
Also featuring at the four-day event is US hip-hop drill queen Ice Spice (pictured), which kicks off on December 28 and runs until January 1.
The final Bluesfest takes place from April 17 to 20 at Byron Events Farm.
Festival director Peter Noble OAM said Bluesfest was a ‘labor of love’ and a celebration of community, music and the resilient spirit of the fans.
However, Mr Noble, who has been at the helm of the festival since 1994 and has been in the music industry for more than 50 years, said it was time to ‘close this chapter’.
“As much as it pains me to say this, after the 2025 festival, it is time to close this chapter,” he said.
Like many Australian festivals, Bluesfest has faced many challenges, including cost increases, changes in ticket purchasing behavior and forced closure due to the Covid pandemic and extreme weather.
Bluesfest is the latest in a long line of Australian music festivals to be canceled this year, including Splendor in the Grass, Groovin the Moo and ValleyWays.