Southbound Music Festival

A Music Camping & Arts Festival , Busselton. WA

2005 - 2017

The Southbound Music Festival, held annually in Busselton, Western Australia since 2005, grew to become the state’s most beloved music, camping and arts festival. Located at Sir Stewart Bovell Park and the adjoining cattle farm, Southbound traditionally took place over three days around the New Year, featuring a diverse lineup of International and Australian contemporary artists spanning rock, indie, electronic, roots, and hip-hop genres. The festival quickly expanded from a single-day event to a multi-day camping experience, earning acclaim not only for its vibrant music scene but also for its sustainability efforts, including winning national “A Greener Festival” awards for eco-friendly practices. Southbound attracted top touring international acts such as Kings of Leon, Arctic Monkeys, Fatboy Slim, Alt-J, Chemical Brothers, Public Enemy, WolfMother, John Butler Trio, The Presets, Paul Kelly, Hilltop Hoods, Angus & Julia Stone, Wolfmother & Vance Joy, as just a handful of examples of approximately 100 acts performing each year across 4 stages and 3 days, cementing its reputation as a premier summer festival on the national festival circuit. However, in 2016, the festival was abruptly canceled due to nearby bushfires that forced highway closures, creating logistical challenges that ultimately led to its hiatus and eventual indefinite pause.

In founding Southbound, David Chitty played the pivotal role in it’s success, helping to shape Southbound’s vision and operational framework. Through Bang Bang Co’s expertise the festival blended cultural vibrancy with community engagement ensuring the festival’s atmosphere was not only about music but also about connection and experience. Chitty’s leadership and creative input contributed to Southbound becoming a defining event for WA’s summer music calendar, influencing many local artists and audiences alike.