Southbound was an arts, camping and music festival. A variety of Australian and international artists performed at this event. The festival occurred annually around New Years, at the Sir Stewart Bovell Park in Busselton, Western Australia.
History
Southbound began as a single day music festival in 2005, located at Sir Stewart Bovell Park in Busselton, Western Australia. In 2006 the event expanded, allowing festival-goers to camp on the festival grounds. In 2007, campers were allowed to camp the night before the festival, with special acoustic performances that same night. The 2010 event expanded into a 3-day festival for campers (2 days for non-campers).
The 2016 event was cancelled the night before the event after bushfires in the Waroona area closed both the South Western Highway and Forrest Highway causing traffic to detour between Perth and Busselton. Main Roads Western Australia's advice to organisers was that the only other viable alternative route may also be restricted. After requests from patrons, event organisers made arrangements to allow ticket refunds to be donated to relief efforts, and also donated food intended for catering at Southbound to bushfire relief. The festival was partly revived as a bush-fire benefit concert held at HBF Stadium on Sunday 10 January.
The event was rested in 2017. Some fans hoped it might come back in 2018, but the organisers moved onto other projects.
The Event
ArtBound
ArtBound started at Southbound 2006, as a showcase of works from the local art community.
EcoBound
EcoBound displayed how recyclable materials and alternative energy were implemented to reduce the environmental impact of the festival. Solar power and biodiesel were used to meet energy needs.
StageBound
StageBound gave unsigned artists an opportunity to perform at Southbound. A requirement of these artists was that they were from the south west regional areas of Western Australia.
Artist lineup by year
2005
Sunday 2 January 2005:
Pete Murray, Regurgitator, Eskimo Joe, Machine Gun Fellatio, The Thrills, Little Birdy, Wolfmother, Veruca Salt, Koolism, Rhibosome, Bodyjar, James De La Cruz, Sharif Galal, Dakota Star, The Panda Band, Spencer Tracy, The Fuzz, Red Jezebel, Phil’s Finest Hour
2006
Monday 2 January 2006:
The Dandy Warhols, Ozomatli, Ian Brown, Hoodoo Gurus, Pete Murray, Xavier Rudd, Butterfingers, The Shins, Downsyde, End Of Fashion, The Beautiful Girls, Eric Bibb, Katalyst, Dexter, Dallas Crane, The Grates, True Live, The Panics, TZU, The Vasco Era, Fdel, Sharif Galal, Dan Stinton, Dan The Man, Adima, Em Dee, As a Weapon
2007
Friday 5 January 2007:
John Butler Trio, Michael Franti, Matt Costa, The Audreys, Blue King Brown & Dallas Frasca.
Saturday 6 January 2007:
John Butler Trio, Michael Franti, Matt Costa, The Audreys, The Preytells, Blue King Brown, Dallas Frasca, Wolfmother, Basement Jaxx, Modest Mouse, Eskimo Joe, Hilltop Hoods, The Bees, Scribe, You Am I, Jamie Lidell, Saul Williams, The Sleepy Jackson, Little Birdy, Youth Group, The Presets, The Black Seeds, Josh Pyke, Infusion, The Vasco Era, The Panda Band, The Exploders & The Flairz.
2008
Friday 4 January 2008:
The Waifs, The Beautiful Girls, Lior, Angus and Julia Stone and Institut Polaire
Saturday 5 January 2008:
The Words Kings of Leon, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Groove Armada, The Waifs, The Go! Team, José González, Built to Spill, Blackalicious, Girl Talk, Gotye, Lior, Midnight Juggernauts, Neville Staple’s Specials, The Mess Hall, Angus and Julia Stone, The Beautiful Girls, Spiderbait, Augie March, Regurgitator, The Pipettes, Bonde Do Role, Operator Please, Institut Polaire, Mattafix, The Herd, The Panics & The Dirty Secrets.
2009
First announcement 13 August.
Friday 2 January 2009:
The Hives, Pete Murray, Architecture In Helsinki, Donavon Frankenreiter, Birds of Tokyo, Bliss n Eso, Bluejuice, End of Fashion, TZU, Wolf & Cub, Grafton Primary, The Drones, Drapht, South Rakkas Crew, C. W. Stoneking, The Autumn Isles and Harlequin League. Liam Finn was a late withdrawal from the lineup.
Saturday 3 January 2009: