In an era when festivals are either struggling, or cancelling, the hobos are back at it again and preparing for their eighth (or ninth if you count 2020’s semi-locked down version) annual gathering of all things folk-punk at HOBOFOPO 2024 (HOBart’s Original FOlk Punk Orgy).
For one weekend in November, nipaluna/Hobart is taken over by some of the finest acoustic punk, celtic rock, anti-folk, boozy bluegrass (and any other subgenre which may fit in-between folk and punk) musicians.
Having hosted some of the biggest names in folk-punk over the last decade, including; AJJ, Days N Daze, Apes Of The State, Crywank and Pigeon Pit, this year’s festival is no exception, with the announcement of legendary act, The Taxpayers, who will be making their first visit to Australia.
The Taxpayers are a long-running, experimental DIY and genre-bending punk band that started in Portland, Oregon in 2007. After an eight year hiatus, they are back, with 2024 having been a massive year for them thus far, selling out shows across the USA & Canada, whilst seeing their Spotify numbers grow from 500,000 monthly listeners to 1million.
Their 2012 concept album about the rise and fall of a fictional baseball player, “God, Forgive These Bastards” was widely acclaimed as one of the best albums of that year. It features the song “I Love You Like An Alcoholic” (which was incidentally turned into a musical stage production).
Also appearing on the HOBOFOPO bill are –
Gusto Gusto (VIC), are set to provide some lively and danceable manouche jazz and manic folk. Recently returned from Glastonbury Festival, they are preparing to be the best dressed band at a folk-punk festival.
The Stragglers (VIC/TAS/NZ), will reunite from several states and countries for their annual HOBOFOPO serenade of boozy bluegrass and ratbag country folk.
Quinton Trembath (TAS/VIC), will once again assemble a supergroup band to rock out with his posi-emo indie-folk-punk bangers that’ll have you toasting to life, and singing along.
Operation Ibis (NSW), because you can have some ska, as a special little treat.
Whiskey Dram (VIC) managed to get the late night club bouncing with their folk-rock singalongs and dance-alongs a couple of years ago, and are expecting a repeat late night performance this year.
Also appearing will be The Dead Peasants (VIC), Billy Puntton (NSW), Crusty Fox and the Deadman’s Undies (TAS/NZ), BrodyGreg (VIC), Sooze (QLD), The Crop Tops (VIC), Zac Henderson (TAS), Impeach Churchill! (VIC), Hannah Morrell (NZ), Ragged Hollow (TAS), Captain O’Brien’s Craic (TAS), Alegria (TAS), Müttley (TAS), Willow Nischler (TAS) along with tribute sets, late night open mic, and much more to be announced.
The festival pass ticket will get you a wristband that will gain you access at each and every venue across the entirety of the weekend. It will also get you the address of the secret opening party location, and it will get you priority entry for the (limited capacity) late night club. Tickets to individual shows are also available via Moshtix (see below).
The Saturday will be held at The Goods Shed on the Hobart/nipaluna waterfront, so expect a true DIY punk style gig with a small stage in the corner of a large warehouse. All venues are within walking distance of each other.
Festival Itinerary
Friday 22/11/2024
5.30-9pm – Opening party – address will be provided to ticket holders only (somewhere between Hobart CBD and The Republic Bar). This is where you can come and get your name ticked off the list in return for the wristband that’ll get you into all gigs. (Samara Cullen, Impeach Churchill, Zac Henderson)
9.30pm-12.30am – The Republic Bar, North Hobart. (The Dead Peasants, Ragged Hollow, Operation Ibis)
1am-death – Twisted Lime late night club, Hobart CBD (Whiskey Dram)
Saturday 23/11/2024
1.30-3.30pm – The Goods Shed (all ages gig), Hobart waterfront – Evans St. (The Taxpayers, Willow Nischler)
4.00-10.15pm – The Goods Shed (18+ gig), Hobart waterfront – Evans St. (The Taxpayers, Gusto Gusto, Müttley, Crusty Fox and the Deadman’s Undies, and more)
11pm-death – Twisted Lime late night club, Hobart CBD . (Billy Puntton and tribute sets)
Sunday 24/11
2.00-3.30pm – Preachers, Battery Point. (Sooze, The Crop Tops)
4.00-9.00pm – The Mayfair Tavern, Sandy Bay. (BrodyGreg, The Stragglers, Quinton Trembath) followed by unplugged jams until midnight.
Ticket links:
Full festival pass – https://moshtix.com.au/v2/event/hobofopo2024-festival-pass-entry-to-all-venues/170643
Friday Opening Party – https://moshtix.com.au/v2/event/hobofopo-opening-party/170644
Friday night – Republic Bar – https://moshtix.com.au/v2/event/hobofopo2024-friday-night/170846
Saturday afternoon (all-ages) – The Goods Shed – https://moshtix.com.au/v2/event/hobofopo2024-all-ages-sat-arvo-session/170725
Saturday evening (18+) – The Goods Shed – https://moshtix.com.au/v2/event/hobofopo2024-saturday-18-headline-show-featuring-the-taxpayers/170847
Sunday afternoon – Preachers (free entry)
Sunday evening – The Mayfair Tavern – https://moshtix.com.au/v2/event/hobofopo2024-the-sunday-session-the-finale-show/170848
