Get ready to rock at this year’s Stonefest, as the festival celebrates its 40th Birthday, and what a big birthday bash it’s going to be, with headline acts Grinspoon and the Dandy Warhols.

The line up starts on Friday October 31st at 7.30pm, running well into the morning, with doors re-opening on Saturday at 11.30am for Day 2 of the spring music fiesta.

Held at the University of Canberra, Stonefest is recognised as one of the longest running festivals in the country and will feature local, interstate and international talents.

The line-up includes Grinspoon, the Dandy Warhols, Faker, Regurgitator, The Grates, Alan Braxe, Bumblebeez, The Drones, Blue King Brown, Dexter, Spruce Leigh, Ashleigh Mannix, TZU, Kora, Fourth State and the Two Terrorble Tablists.

Attracting a crowd of up to ten thousand, and including an impressive collection of artists, Stonefest takes some intense organisation.

“We start planning it out a few weeks after we finish the last one. We get together in November and sketch out a few ideas to see where things might head,” said Jem Natividad, Co-organiser of Stonefest.

“Around March/April this year, we sat down and started putting together the line-up, and when I say we, it means 2 people,” said Jem, who works with Peter Spicer in the 8 month planning process.

Aside from the hard work, there are definitely perks to the job.

“It’s being able to provide something fun for Canberra in all honesty, that’s really why I do it. We get to meet all the bands that come through, and their managers. I get to meet a lot of people who I’ve really admired for a long time,” said Jem.

What Stonefest is celebrating this year, is the laying of the foundation stone on October 28th, 1968 which marked the establishment of UC and was unveiled by the Prime Minister at the time John Gorton.

“From that day onwards the Uni has always thrown a party. It’s really good that the university community has continued the tradition,” said Jem “I hope people really enjoy the line-up this year,” he said.

General admission tickets can be purchased at any Ticketek outlet, online or at Landspeed Records and are $80.30. Students can pick theirs up from the UCU Print Shop for $52.80 by showing their Student Card and Proof of Age Card.

For more information, such as set times, head to stonefest.com.au

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