Gingerfest
Over the past couple of weeks music festivals have been in the headlines for all the wrong reasons, but next weekend Gingerfest will change that. Gingerfest is a punk and rock-and-roll music festival which is held in honour of Nicholas Sofer-Schreiber, a dedicated punk rock fan who many in the scene knew as The Ginger Ninja, who lost his life under tragic circumstances in 2014.
Following a raging success last year with the inaugural event, this year the event organisers are hoping for an even greater success. Bringing together acts from across the country and from different stages of their career, Gingerfest 2015 is headlined by veterans Gay Paris and The Porkers with up and comers such as Bec Stevens and Josh Arentz also sharing the stage on the day.
Luke Monks from Gay Paris explained how the event is “bitter sweet, because of the reason behind its inception, but it’s nice to see the music community pull together” for such a great cause. Bec Stevens, who sadly never got to meet Nicholas personally despite him being “close friends with some of my friends, so when I was asked I immediately said yes.” She added: “so it’s pretty cool to be involved and to raise money for a good cause.”
For Gay Paris, festivals such as this one are a great chance to catch up and mingle with good friends that they rarely get to see because of conflicting touring schedules. “There’s always a whole bunch of bands that you’re friends with but never get to see because you’re always away touring, so there are a lot of acts we’re excited to see,” Monks said. “It’s actually one of these festivals where there is an overload of choice, so you almost have option paralysis but you just have to show up early and see everyone.”
Bec Stevens, who is quickly rising through the ranks on the punk rock scene, is excited about the festival for an entirely different reason. “I’m stoked because I haven’t been a part of enough things like this, so it’s awesome. Playing to such a different crowd is exciting,” she said. Stevens, who has only been playing “proper shows” for the past four years, is making quite the name for herself in the scene with fans constantly asking for her CD’s after gigs. “I’ve been wanting to record an album for the last three years and I’m now finally happy with the songs I’ve got. I’ve been in the middle of recording this year and hope to have it ready by Gingerfest,” she explained.
Gingerfest is the perfect end to the year for music fans to come together for a wonderful cause, with funds going to Vision Australia. As Luke Monks said, music festivals also “make it cool to meet new people and make new friends”, so come on out and celebrate The Ginger Ninja together. (JA)
Dec 19. Factory Theatre, 105 Victoria Rd, Marrickville. $35+b.f. Tickets & Info: factorytheatre.com.au
