Party In The Paddock Sets Attendance Record as Founder Steps Down
The annual Party In The Paddock music festival recently concluded at Quercus Park in Tasmania, drawing a record 14,000 attendees over its four-day run. The event saw the departure of its founder, Jesse Higgs, after 15 years, with operations transitioning to co-festival directors Alec McLelland and Ryan Limb.
"The 2024 Party In The Paddock festival attracted approximately 14,000 attendees, marking a 1,000-person increase from the previous year."
Festival Overview 2024
The 2024 Party In The Paddock festival took place near Carrick, on the banks of the Liffey River, Tasmania. The event attracted approximately 14,000 attendees, a 1,000-person increase from the previous year. Of the attendees, 10% traveled from interstate and overseas.
Ticket sales were notably strong, with four-day passes, VIP camping upgrades, Thursday day tickets, and glamping packages all reported as sold out prior to the festival's commencement. Multi-day camping and general day tickets were also available.
From Backyard Bash to Major Regional Festival
Jesse Higgs, 36, is noted as having initiated the festival in 2011, with the first event held in 2012 as a 21st birthday celebration. The initial gathering attracted approximately 400 people and featured local musicians on a basic stage.
The festival, which aimed to establish a local music event showcasing Tasmanian artists, has since expanded significantly. Over 13 years, it has grown from a backyard gathering into a major regional festival. Throughout its history, the festival has relocated from Burns Creek to White Hills before settling at its current site in Quercus Park, consistently maintaining a focus on community engagement.
Diverse Line-Up and Six Stages
The 2024 festival line-up was extensive, including over 180 acts, with half of them being Tasmanian artists. International headliners featured Ocean Alley, Sofi Tukker, and Sophie Ellis-Bextor.
The festival featured six distinct stages:
- Vibestown Stage: Hosted alternative and indie artists, including Glass Media, Krystal Rivvers, Radium Dolls, The Belair Lip Bombs, and Mia Wray.
- The Bigtop
- The Bullpen: Featured unique experiences such as the Doof Stick Pageant and Bull Riding Comp.
- Silvertongue Stage: Presented comedy performances and artist interviews.
- Little Island Rising Stage: Showcased emerging Tasmanian talent. Tasmanian singer-songwriter Sam McMeekin earned a spot on the line-up after winning triple j Unearthed’s Party In The Paddock competition.
- The Paddock Stage: Featured prominent acts including The Veronicas, The Temper Trap, Flight Facilities, Peking Duk, Ball Park Music, Peach PRC, Mallrat, Genesis Owusu, Dune Rats, Baker Boy, and Ruby Fields.
A musical recovery session with four artists was scheduled for Monday morning at the Little Island stage, offering a calm conclusion to the festivities.
Operational Scale and Economic Impact
The event's setup was a substantial undertaking, requiring four weeks of work. It involved 180 staff, nearly 500 volunteers, and approximately 400 additional crew members.
Festival director Ryan Limb stated that the event's growth had surpassed initial expectations, attributing some of the increased attendance to country-wide marketing efforts. Tourism, Hospitality and Events Minister Jane Howlett acknowledged the festival as a significant attraction for Tasmania, noting its importance to the state's event calendar.
To ensure public safety, Tasmania Police maintained a high-visibility presence during the event, implementing increased traffic management and random breath testing operations.
Leadership Transition: Jesse Higgs Departs
Jesse Higgs confirmed that the 2024 festival would be his final Party In The Paddock event as Festival and Artistic Director, concluding a 15-year tenure. Higgs stated his intention to focus on international touring with his band and writing a book about his festival experience. He also cited 15 years of continuous involvement as a reason for his departure, expressing a feeling of having contributed fully to the event's artistic direction, and plans to take a six-month break.
"Jesse Higgs concluded his 15-year tenure as Festival and Artistic Director, planning to focus on international touring with his band and writing a book."
Operations of the festival will be transferred to his business partners and co-festival directors of 11 years, Alec McLelland and Ryan Limb. Limb acknowledged Higgs's dedication and affirmed the festival's commitment to its Tasmanian origins and support for local artists. Planning for the 2027 festival is reportedly already underway, signaling a continued and robust future for the popular event.