Fall in love... with this year's Mordi Fest line-up

14 February 2019

Kingston’s favourite food, wine and music event, the Mordialloc Food and Wine Festival (aka Mordi Fest) returns to Peter Scullin Reserve over two days on Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 March 2019.

Kingston Mayor Cr Georgina Oxley said that the festival features a huge line-up of Australian and international musicians.

“Mordi Fest will feature an eclectic and unmissable line-up of artists, headlined by dance-floor favourites Vaudeville Smash on Saturday and blues musician Ash Grunwald on Sunday,” said Cr Oxley.

Made up of three brothers and two mates, Vaudeville Smash bring a unique explosion of funk, flute, sax, synth and groove. They have developed a huge following since they first performed at Fitzroy’s Open Bar in September 2009.

Vaudeville Smash have played on stages across the world, including South by South West in Texas, New York, Tokyo, Singapore and Toronto for Canadian Music Week.

“Back home they have played some huge gigs too, including the main stage at St Kilda Festival, six shows at the Woodford Folk Festival, the Australian Open Tennis and sold out the Corner Hotel twice,” said Cr Oxley. “The dance floor is packed at a Vaudeville Smash gig.”

Vaudeville Smash will perform on the Mordi Fest Pier Stage on Saturday 2 March, 9pm.

Sunday headliner Ash Grunwald brings power to the stage.

Since the release of his 2013 album, Guargantua, Ash’s voice, disdain and authority have grown in leaps and bounds. Ash has worked alongside Record Producer Nick DiDia, of Bruce Springsteen, Rage Against the Machine and Pearl Jam fame. He has brought in Ian Perez keyboardist from Wolfmother and Pete Wilkins, former drummer for Blue King Brown to create his latest album NOW.

Visitors can experience Ash Grunwald's musical transformation from 5pm on the Mordi Fest Pier Stage on Sunday 3 March.

The headliners are joined by a sensational line up of performers across three stages: the Pier Stage, Beach Stage, Jam Café; and visitors can also enjoy acoustic performers in the FreeZa Chill-out area.

Mordi Fest is also a wonderful event for foodies, wine and beer connoisseurs, with gourmet food trucks and a selection of paired food and beverage options. “And with free activities and performances there’s plenty for families to enjoy,” said Cr Oxley.

This year’s Mordi Fest line-up, includes (but is not limited to):

Formed in Perth in 1989, The Blackeyed Susans have built a reputation for their moody romanticism and op-shop stylings.

From Powderfinger to solo artist and creator of film scores, Darren Middleton has certainly made his mark on the Australian music scene.

 Australian artist Mia Dyson's new album ‘If I Said Only So Far I Take It Back’ is stuffed with bluesy-rock numbers and has been described as her magnum opus.

Toni “Tones” Watson is an independent Australian solo artist from the Mornington Peninsula. Tones began her musical journey in 2016 with a broken keyboard and a cheap loop pedal. This is her third year performing at Mordi Fest and she is releasing her first album this year.

James Kenyon's music is the soundtrack to the great Australian road movie. Emotive, harsh, dry, beautiful and poetic- these are striking, finely crafted songs that will haunt and captivate.

English eclectic Art Rock band Moulettes combine elements of Rock, Prog, Folk and Pop who will be coming to Mordi Fest as part of their first Australian tour.

Indie, pop, rock artist Bec Sandridge was the winner of Triple J Unearthed’s Yours and Owls competition in 2015.

19-Twenty have been whipping up a frenzy on the festival scene. They are electric. An infectious riff and groove based blue-billy-grass-rockin-roots band.

2019 is turning out to be a big year for singer-songwriter Tanya George, with performances at Mordi Fest, Torquay's Nightjar Festival, the Australian Open, Midsumma Festival, the St Kilda Festival, the Adelaide Fringe Festival, Grand Prix, Seven Sisters, Music in the Vines and Queenscliff Music Festival.

Want to know more, follow the Mordi Fest 2019 playlist on Spotify.