The Laneway Festival announced its 2018 lineup earlier today. The release, a day earlier than anticipated, is as surprising in content as it is in timing. Mac Demarco and Anderson.Paak’s presence had already been announced, but London MC Loyle Carner Billie Eilish will also show face, along with The War On Drugs, The Internet, Wolf Alice, Odesza, Bonobo and BADBADNOTGOOD.

St. Jerome’s Laneway Festival began in Caledonian Lane, Melbourne, in 2005. What started as a small indie music event grew into a popular name that spread to five other Australian cities, as well as New Zealand, Singapore and Detroit. Started by Jerome Borazio and Danny Rogers, the idea of the festival felt simple. Melbourne would be more fun in the summertime if there were more opportunities to see live music. The pair started off by holding weekly events; “St. Jerome’s Summer Series,” each Sunday afternoon featured various new bands, then came “Brains,” which was a residency of sorts for the band, The Avalanches.

The pair eventually decided to make something bigger out of all they’d been working on. Calling it the Laneway Festival, the pair closed down Caledonian Lane and threw a big party. With a total of 1,400 guests, the party suddenly seemed like a festival worth holding every year. Later in 2005 the organizers announced that the festival would reoccur, and have another venue in Sydney. The original lineup included The Avalanches, Art of Fighting, Eskimo Joe, The Dears, Cut Copy, Architecture in Helsinki, Clare Bowditch, the Feeding Set and Gersey. Every year since 2005, Laneway has grown and attracted increasingly popular acts. This year, fans will hear from Father John Misty, (Sandy) Alex G, The Internet, Wolf Alice, Bonobo and many more. Tickets go on sale next Monday, the 18th of September, and can be purchased here.

Laneway Festival Locations and Dates:

Adelaide: Friday 2 February, Hart’s Mill, Port Adelaide (16+)
Melbourne: Saturday 3 February – Footscray Community Arts Centre and the River’s Edge
Sydney: Sunday 4 February – Sydney College of the Arts and Callan Park, Rozelle
Brisbane: Saturday 10 February – Brisbane Showgrounds, Bowen Hills (16+)
Fremantle: Sunday 11 February – Esplanade Reserve and West End

Photography Credit: Sharon Alagna