AUSTRALIA
NSW to Embark on Pill-Testing Revolution at Festivals
After stubbornly dismissing appeals from drug reform advocates for the better part of a decade, New South Wales is finally unveiling a groundbreaking trial of pill-testing at a select dozen music festivals, set to kick off in just a few weeks. This initiative, a significant pivot from previous policies, aims to enhance the safety of festival-goers amid rising concerns over drug-related incidents.
Meanwhile, in Victoria, the inaugural pill-testing season has been celebrated as a resounding success, setting the stage for a broader acceptance of harm reduction strategies across Australia’s vibrant festival landscape.
The specifics regarding the twelve NSW festivals targeted for this pilot program are currently under deliberation, but they will be chosen based on their history of drug overdoses. For instance, the grim incidents at Knockout Circuz last October, where two lives were tragically lost, and four hospitalizations at the Epik festival in December have cast a long shadow over the festival scene.
This “free and anonymous” service, spearheaded by NSW Health, comes with a hefty price tag of A$1 million ($624,701), marking an evolution in public health policy. Australia’s very first trial took place back in 2018 during Groovin’ The Moo, albeit in a somewhat precarious legal gray zone. Previous testing efforts were abruptly halted in 2022 after threats from insurers loomed large over festival organizers. Nevertheless, both the NSW and Victorian governments are extending amnesty to testers and promoters engaged in personal use testing, even as law enforcement continues to clamp down on illicit supply chains.
Health Minister Ryan Park remarked, “There are no silver bullets here. However, we must remain open to any steps that can further safeguard our youth this festival season. We’re committed to listening to the experts and rigorously examining evidence.”
The pioneering efforts in Victoria have already shown promise. With 10 scheduled tests over the course of a year, Beyond The Valley, held from December 28 to January 1, conducted its first test, successfully reaching out to 700 of the 35,000 attendees, examining 600 samples. The substances most frequently submitted for testing included MDMA, ketamine, and cocaine, with testers reporting results exceeding their wildest expectations. Impressively, nearly 40% of participants indicated intentions to reduce their drug intake after consultations with healthcare professionals during the process.
Woodford Folk Festival Launches Fundraising Initiative to Reclaim Heritage Site
In another corner of Australia, the Woodford Folk Festival in Queensland, which attracted a staggering 100,000 attendees from December 27 to January 1, is spearheading a crowdfunding campaign aiming to reclaim its expansive 163-hectare site known as Woodfordia from local council ownership.
Originally purchased in 1994, the site was sold for A$4 million ($2.49 million) due to crushing financial burdens and weather-related damages sustained during the devastating floods of 2010-11, with the stipulation that ownership lineage could one day revert back to the festival. The organizers now aspire to amass A$5.7 million ($3.56 million) by July 2026, driven by a vision that transcends generations—to create a legacy of peace and potential, unfettered by debt—whether financial, social, or environmental, stated Managing Director Amanda Jackes.
Dom Dolla Shatters Attendance Records
Meanwhile, electronic music sensation Dom Dolla has erupted onto the scene, setting a staggering new attendance benchmark through a series of seven outdoor shows held from November 29 to December 21, as reported by the Untitled Group. With over 170,000 tickets sold across four distinct cities, these electrifying performances represent the largest tour ever undertaken by an Australian electronic artist. Showcasing greenfield venues and record-setting crowds, this tour not only underscores his booming influence within the Australian music industry but also solidifies his presence on a global stage.
With plans to return to North America from early February to August 2, he will be gracing audiences in seven major cities, including New Orleans, Aspen, Miami, and Toronto, further solidifying his status as an international music heavyweight.
NEW ZEALAND
Raucous NYE Celebrations Endure Despite Severe Weather
In New Zealand, the wild whims of nature threw a wrench in many events scheduled for New Year’s Eve, forcing cancellations across the country. However, a spirited battalion of twenty-something backpackers and thrill-seekers remained undeterred, resolutely determined to be among the first festival-goers worldwide to usher in the new year.
In its 22nd edition, Rhythm & Vines (December 29-31) in Gisborne persevered against the elements, drawing a hungry crowd of 25,000 who donned gumboots and plastic ponchos as their fashion of choice, contributing a remarkable NZ$12 million ($6.76 million) to local businesses amid the festivities.
Furthermore, Uber joined the alliance of brands seamlessly integrated by Live Nation, standing alongside One NZ, Pals, Red Bull, McDonald’s, Booster Savvy, and Lipton Iced Tea. Meanwhile, Rhythm & Alps on South Island reached another milestone, celebrating its 14th consecutive year with an enthusiastic turnout of 20,000 each day (December 30-31) in the breathtaking Cardrona Valley. New Zealand’s Shapeshifter ignited 2025 with a dazzling fireworks spectacle, further amplifying the festival’s celebratory atmosphere.
