The iconic St Kilda Festival will showcase of some of Australia’s best artists when it returns in February with an action-packed nine days of live music and entertainment.

Presented by the City of Port Phillip, this year’s Festival incorporates the Yaluk-ut Weelam Ngargee: First Peoples Arts and Cultural Showcase featuring artists including Archie Roach.

Shifting from the one-day format of recent years to allow social distancing, the extended nine-day program provides more time and space to enjoy this much-loved event.

More than 50 artists will be performing across multiple stages with street performers, family entertainment, sports demonstrations, market stalls, local community group activations and more also on offer.

Acclaimed Indigenous vocalist and Melbourne rhythm combo, Emma Donovan and The Putbacks, will bring their signature soul sounds, while Aussie icon Daryl Brathwaite will also headline the multi-day event over 5 – February 13.

Yaluk-ut Weelam Ngargee has a long and proud history spanning over 20 years in St Kilda. The 2022 program is a mix of long-established artists, beautifully complimented by the next generation of young and emerging First People’s musical talent.

The 2022 New Music Competition, presented by JMC Academy, will be held online from February 5-20 through the St Kilda Festival website. The six finalists are Brotha Asanti ft. Soulelectric, DEVY, Freeds, Keaper, Squid the Kid, and Jack Stirling and the Perfect.

Audiences can watch sets from each act and vote for their favourite performance for a chance to win a voter prize pack. The winning act will take home $5000 and an invitation to perform at the St Kilda Festival Main Stage in 2023.

The St Kilda Festival will be operating under a comprehensive COVID-safe plan. Any COVID-related updates will be communicated via social media and the Festival website.

O’Donnell Gardens Stage:

Kicking off the festival on Saturday February 5 will be Babyccino, Barkaa, Good Morning, KYE, Monnie, Queen-P, The Lazy Eyes, WILSN, plus DJ sets from PET$ and Shaad.

Foreshore Stage, South Beach Reserve:

Wednesday February 9 will include Jordan Dennis, Mo’Ju, Shannen James, The Bamboos, plus DJ sets from Big Rig.

Thursday February 10 features Emma Donovan and The Putbacks, Daryl Brathwaite, Gordi, Romero and DJ Sets from Soju Gang.

Friday February 11 will see Ashwarya, Baker Boy, Franko Gonzo, Jalmar, Pricie, TSEBA, all take to the stage, plus sets from dj pgz.

Yaluk-ut Weelam Ngargee: First Peoples Arts & Cultural Showcase is on Saturday ebruary 12 with Archie Roach, Benny Walker, Chasing Ghosts, IZY, Kee’ahn and The Merindas.

Beach Stage / Push Stage, Catani Gardens:

Sunday February 13 will feature All the Queens Men, Big Fish Little Fish, FREAKCLUB, George Alice, IJALE, Kanani, Pevan and Sarah, The Dummies, and Waliens.

Street Stage, Catani Gardens:

Sunday February 13’s festivities will extend to the Street Stage with Approachable Members of Your Local Community, Ausecuma Beats, BIRDZ, Cong Josie, Jawbreakers, June Jones, JXCKY, Rya Park, Vetta Borne, plus DJ sets from General Feelings and Nuestro Planeta.

The full program is available at stkildafestival.com.au