We are now only two weeks away from the Adelaide date for the 2018 Laneway Festival. Here’s a preview of five things we are looking forward to on Friday 2nd February at Hart’s Mill.

1. The line-up

The 2018 line-up for Laneway could very well be one of the best the festival has delivered. At the top of our list are a number of acts who made it onto our Best Albums of 2017 list: Father John Misty, Mac DeMarco, POND (pictured) and the War on Drugs. But the highlights are many: Dream Wife, Aldous Harding, Wolf Alice and City Calm Down to name a few. And, as always with Laneway, there’s the chance for a new discovery or two. This year we are pinning our hopes on Babe Rainbow and Rolling Blackouts Costal Fever. There really is something for everyone.

2. The venue

The UniSA courtyards and alleyways are now a distant memory. And while that former venue served its purpose, the crowding and congestion meant that new Laneway digs were needed, and the expansive waterfront real estate of Hart’s Mill has delivered perfectly since 2014. Despite the big crowds that Laneway draws, you never feel hemmed in at this venue, with plenty of interesting nooks to explore over the course of the day. It’s also great timing for the Port Adelaide train service to have re-commenced operations from this week!

3. A festival with a social conscience

Laneway has always been about great music, but there’s more to it than that, with a commitment to give back to the community. Once again, the festival is partnering with social justice organisation Plus 1 to make a difference. Money will be raised this year for the Yiriman Project, assisting Aboriginal youth in the Kimberley region, and FightMND, funding support and research for motor neurone disease.

4. Laneway eats

It wasn’t so long ago that festival-going meant greasy, nasty food and limited choices. But the offerings at Laneway relegate such experiences to distant memory with a range of gourmet delights. Vendors include Taco Cat, Phat Buddha Rolls and Daisy Burger. Laneway catering means you can enjoy quality food while appreciating the quality music.

5. Thirst-quenching options

Assuming that this heatwave stretches out to the start of February (and Laneway quite often falls on a scorcher), then thirst-quenching options become very important. As with the food, there are plenty of Laneway drink options, with Brooklyn Brewery, Coopers, Somersby, Jacob’s Creek, Sopporo, Jameson and Absolut all on board. From craft beers to cocktails, there’s something to satisfy everybody’s tastes.

Adelaide Laneway takes place Friday 2nd Feb at Hart’s Mill, Port Adelaide. Tickets can still be purchased via the website, with further festival information there.

Compiled by Matthew Trainor

Festival photos by Kay Cann, POND photo supplied.