Four years since its first roaring success, Cry Baby Fest is making a triumphant return to Adelaide, promising an unforgettable day of music, camaraderie, and unbridled chaos. This time, the festival hosted by Nat’s What I Reckon is taking it up a notch by setting the stage at the historic Old Adelaide Gaol in November.
The lineup for Cry Baby Fest 2023 is nothing short of extraordinary. With a curated mix of 70s and 80s rock ‘n’ roll and an expansion into diverse musical styles, the festival boasts an impressive array of artists.
Headlining the event will be Dune Rats, joined by Jack River, Gyroscope, West Thebarton, Kingswood, Hope D, Art vs. Science (DJ Set), Running Touch (DJ Set), Touch Sensitive (DJ Set), The Kite String Tangle (DJ Set), Clews, Bec Stevens, Colourblind, Ethanol Blend, Coldwave, and many more.
The aim is to offer a rich blend of both established acts and up-and-coming talents, creating a dynamic and electrifying atmosphere for festival-goers.
As the brainchild of Jon Di Pinto, owner of the iconic Cry Baby bar, Shotgun Willie’s and Memphis Slim’s, the event was initially born as a celebration of music and community and its inaugural street festival featured local bands and quickly became a fan-favourite, drawing in throngs of music enthusiasts.
“The idea originally came about at our first birthday – we did a festival out on the street for free and got our favourite bands together, and then it became a festival style event,” Jon says.
“This year we’re doing it bigger and better. The idea is to celebrate Cry Baby, we love all types of music, especially rock ‘n’ roll. We want to bring everyone together, particularly Australian artists, and celebrate music,” he adds.
The Adelaide Gaol offers the perfect backdrop for Cry Baby Fest’s grand return. The combination of its unique historical significance and proximity to the heart of the city makes it an ideal setting for a music festival like no other.
“As we grow, our plans are to expand further. But as we looked around we wanted to find something a little more unique and different. The gaol is also close to town and the bar, so it’s the perfect setup,” Jon explains.
“It’s very cool. How many festivals do you go to at a gaol? It’s a cool spot and we want to try and give a different experience to people, so it’s not like any other festival they’ve been to before.”
The festival’s atmosphere promises to be an absolute blast, with boutique bars, food trucks, market stalls, and an array of captivating experiences to cater to all tastes.
Pirate Life is planning to deck out a beer deck with unique beers, and the Patron/Margarita Bar will offer a delightful selection of drinks. Additionally, pop-up market stalls will add to the vibrant and diverse ambiance of Cry Baby Fest.
Grab your tickets and join the revelry at the Adelaide Gaol as this exceptional festival returns to captivate Adelaide with a celebration of music.
Cry Baby Fest
Where: Old Adelaide Gaol, 18 Gaol Rd, Adelaide SA 5000
When: Saturday 25 November, 2023
Price: $89pp general admission
Tickets: Click here
More News
