Small World Festival

Following a hugely successful debut in a small Marrickville alleyway, Small World Festival returns bigger and better this weekend as the ultimate celebration of everything great about Sydney’s Inner West

Originally the idea of four friends sitting around a table who were amazed by the “incredible culture and output” of the Inner West that didn’t get the celebration it deserved, festival director Oscar McMahon said he and his friends decided to “create the pedestal for the amazing breweries, bands, artists and food of the Inner West to be showcased”.

For McMahon, the biggest surprise with last years festival was the sheer volume of people that turned out to check out the festival–which created some unanticipated issues, mainly the need for a bigger space and more soft areas for people to relax throughout the day. With these issues in mind, and the fact that people can now put faith into the event being a great day out, McMahon said: “We’re moving it to a beautiful area of Sydney Park [where] there’s going to be much more room, it’s going to be on grass, a lot better laid out and more comfortable.”

Not only has the festival grown and improved logistically, but this years lineup is even stronger with The Church on headline duties while being supported by the likes of DZ Deathrays, PVT, PALMS, All Our Exes Live In Texas and a local artists showcase curated by VISIONS. Simon Ridley from DZ Deathrays said: “We briefly heard about it last year and checked it out. It looks awesome so we’re stoked to be doing it, especially with the other bands on the lineup…we love going to festivals and soaking up the sun and beers.”

The emergence of smaller boutique festivals like Small World has seen a really positive shift occur within the crowds and the general atmosphere, which Ridley has seen first hand. “It’s a lot of fun going to these sort of small type festivals… it knocks out that whole bad element because everyone knows everyone and if you’re a d*ckhead people will recognise you later on, so all of the crowds are a lot more fun and friendly,” he said.

Small World Festival isn’t just about the music however, it has a little bit of something for everyone with live art exhibitions and local food and beverage producers all providing refreshments for the day. “Small World is a relaxed, grown-up, enjoyable festival. It’s not pretentious, it’s fun with good drinks, good people and good food. There’s also art, interesting, fun, [and] quirky stuff going on so there will be something that a whole bunch of people are really going to enjoy,” said McMahon.

September 19. Sydney Park (off Euston Road). $64.50+b.f. Tickets & info: smallworldfestival.com