Stone & Wood, the renowned Australian brewery, is back with its 10th annual Festival of the Stone. Set to be a spectacular celebration of music, community, and the ancient tradition of brewing, the event will welcome the winter season to Byron Bay on 1 June.
The Festival of the Stone has become a treasured event for both locals and visitors, offering a brilliant lineup of music, tantalizing food and drinks, and the much-anticipated unveiling of the 2024 batch of Stone Beer. But it’s not just about fun and frothies; the festival is also a major fundraiser for the local homeless hub, Fletcher Street Cottage. It’s an opportunity to have a good time while doing some good in the community.
The music lineup for this year’s festival is nothing short of dazzling. Dan Sultan, one of Australia’s most loved singer-songwriters, will be gracing the festival with his presence. With 7 ARIA Awards, countless sold-out headline shows, and tours with the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Midnight Oil, and Vance Joy under his belt, Sultan is an undeniable force in the Australian music scene. Now, he’s set to add Festival of the Stone to his impressive list of performances.
Joining Sultan on the lineup is Beddy Rays, a band known for their heartfelt lyrics, huge hooks, and a lingering sense of camaraderie that underpins everything they create. Their unique sound has landed them spots on triple j’s Hottest 100 and Hottest 100 Like a Versions of all time, and they’ve recently been nominated for an ARIA ‘Breakthrough Artist’ award.
The Beefs, ultimate purveyors of “pub-pop” goodness, will also be taking the stage. Founded in 2018, The Beefs offer a unique blend of pop melodies and rock ‘n’ roll charm that’s sure to get festival-goers on their feet.
Also on the lineup are Verge Collection, a band that balances classic pop sensibilities with working-class poetry, and AKA Lui, who fuses disco and psychedelia to create a sound that is uniquely his own. Both acts are rapidly rising stars in the Australian music scene, gaining critical acclaim and a loyal fanbase.
Opening the stage at Festival of the Stone is Brisbane indie-pop 5-piece Mid Drift. Known for their sun-soaked melodies and energetic live sets, they’re set to give festival-goers a sneak preview of their debut EP Lemon, Lime, and Tanlines.
And of course, it wouldn’t be Festival of the Stone without the Stone Beer. This limited-edition winter brew, meticulously crafted with select Australian malts, boasts aromatic notes of brewed coffee, rich dark chocolate, and subtly smoked barley.
As mentioned earlier, the festival is not just about music and beer; it’s also a major fundraiser for Fletcher Street Cottage, which provides vital support for people at risk of homelessness in Byron Shire. With the highest homelessness rate in NSW, the need for this support is more pressing than ever in the Byron community.
“We believe it’s a really important time to support Australian music, events, and our community,” says James Aris of Stone & Wood. “With Byron having one of the highest homeless populations in the nation, now is as important as ever to support those sleeping rough. We’re happy to support Fletcher St Cottage’s incredible work in this area for the 10th year in a row.”
So, come down to Byron Bay on 1 June for a day of great music, delicious beer, and a chance to support a great cause. Festival of the Stone is an event not to be missed!
