After last years’ apocalyptic electrical storm there was a lot of speculation that Pyramid wouldn’t return to ring in the 2011 New Year. However, after the electrifying and untimely display by Mother Nature (described by keen weather watchers as a “once in a hundred year storm”), festival organisers have bunkered down to ensure that Pyramid 2010 will have the capacity to deal with any out of the ordinary event.

Booking acts for Pyramid began early this year with artists from around the world showing their support for the festival…the result will ensure that this year Pyramid will undoubtedly be hosting its best line up to date.

Not only will the festival deliver its biggest ever line up, but in an unprecedented move, anyone that attended Pyramid 2009 will receive discounted entry and priority purchase to this year’s Pyramid Rock Festival! Check out the official Pyramid website and join the mailing list to receive more information on the discounts as well the latest Pyramid Rock Festival news and updates.

New staging and site layout will be some of the more obvious changes that have been made and Pyramid organisers can assure patrons that everything imaginable has been reviewed, revised and reinvented to ensure that we’re safe, sound and ready to continue partying at Pyramid Rock until at least 2109!

Tickets go on sale at 9am Tuesday September 14, so put a reminder in your diary, or your iPhone, or whatever it is that the you cool kids have these days because with a line up as exciting as this everyone will be lining up first thing to get their Pyramid Rock tickets.

Who is playing I hear you ask?? Take a deep breath:

N*E*R*D, TEMPER TRAP, ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT, CHROMEO, XAVIER RUDD, GYROSCOPE, MYSTERY JETS, LITTLE RED, TRENTEMOLLER (Live), LIGHTSPEED CHAMPION, MIAMI HORROR, BUILT TO SPILL, SHOUT OUT LOUDS, TINIE TEMPAH, FUTURE OF THE LEFT, BORN RUFFIANS, LIAM FINN, BASEMENT BIRDS, PHILADELPHIA GRAND JURY, GYPSY & THE CAT, JEBEDIAH, TUMBLEWEED, URTHBOY, OH MERCY, VIOLENT SOHO, THE JOHN STEEL SINGERS, HORRORSHOW, LOWRIDER, SPIT SYNDICATE, HUNGRY KIDS OF HUNGARY, NEON INDIAN and more to be announced soon!

We understand that it has been an extremely difficult and trying time for everyone involved and hope that this goes some way to explaining some of the procedures and actions taken by the organisers of the festival on the night.

“The organisers would like to take this opportunity to address many of the comments and concerns from the media and festival patrons as to the actions taken by the organisers in regards to the events of the night. This included the ability to be able to conduct a New Years countdown at midnight; the ongoing performance of four of the scheduled artists; & the organisers desire to keep the crowd informed as to the ongoing emergency and their efforts to control the resultant situation. We would like to reiterate once again that our actions were dictated first and foremost with the personal safety of all attendees in mind.

Organisers regret that they were prohibited in their capacity and desire to safely communicate with the crowd from the Main Stage after the storm had ripped through and disabled lighting and audio systems.

The storm took out the Main Stage core systems which resulted in dangerous electrical leakage and shortages. One channel was deemed safe and made available for DJ use, and the house lights gave electricians and stage technicians the ability to work on making the stage area safe. Unfortunately a small segment of the crowd was making working conditions dangerous and near impossible for staff and patrons, seriously disrupting our ability and desire to deliver the necessary information to the crowd. This situation was extremely disappointing.

The intensity of the storm was not forecast until a few hours before it happened. Pyramid has safely ridden out storms and adverse weather conditions in the past; however this was unlike any storm seen locally for many years. Damaging winds up to 100kmph we’re recorded from the main stage and with intense lightning strikes around the festival grounds organisers were faced with a serious emergency situation which necessitated all emergency plans and procedures to be implemented.

This was an extreme situation that presented many risks including possible fatalities, which thankfully didn’t eventuate.

Along with on site emergency services including Victoria Police, Ambulance Victoria, the Country Fire Authority and St John Ambulance, as well as the artists involved, organisers implemented the onsite “Emergency Co-ordination Centre” before the storm hit. The emergency response plan included evacuating the Pharaoh’s Annex and the Main Bar during the lightning storm until these structures were deemed safe and reopened. The Pharaoh’s Annex continued operating until 5.30am on 01 January 2010. The Main Bar was structurally damaged during the storm and was quickly repaired to be reopened approximately thirty minutes after the storm had passed.

Mal McCann, the Station Officer for Ambulance Victoria responded that “At the end of the day the overriding decisions that were made were all based on safety. Although there may be some disappointment among music lovers at the festival we are confident and pleased with the decision making processes of organisers and emergency services personnel. Emergency response plans were in place and were adjusted successfully in accordance with the realities that we were facing. Due to the ability to successfully enact response plans everybody came away from the situation safe.”

Organisers are regretful and feeling devastated that the storm destroyed staging systems which prevented any further entertainment from the Main Stage and that multiple circumstances made it impossible for us to deliver a safe show that would include the four remaining acts. We can confirm that everything within the organiser’s power was being done to protect patrons, entertainers and staff while working tirelessly on solutions to restore the show to the Main Stage or move headliners to the Pharaoh’s Annex.

Until this freak event the festival was running smoothly and to schedule, ultimately delivering a total of 53 out of 58 advertised acts plus segue deejays and roving entertainers. The festival wasn’t cancelled and many of the headline acts including, Cat Power, The Cat Empire, Regurgitator, Architecture in Helsinki, The Beautiful Girls, Bluejuice and others played to a positive and responsive audience.

EMPIRE OF THE SUN – TEAM EMPIRE says “Empire of The Sun would like to extend its sincerest apologies for not being able to perform at the Pyramid Rock Festival 2009. Empire were due to hit main-stage minutes before midnight but earlier in the evening (at approximately 8.30pm) the stage was closed due to severe storms. The band stayed on site until after 2am and looked at all alternative possibilities; agreeing to perform on a smaller stage that was still open. At one stage this looked like it would go ahead, however, after consulting with security, the promoters, rightly decided that this would present too great a security risk to the audience so this option was cancelled.

EMPIRE OF THE SUN’s LUKE STEELE says “We did everything in our power to ensure that the show would go ahead but in the end we just couldn’t compete with Mother Nature. We’d like to extend our sincerest apologies to all the fans who waited. Our thoughts are with everyone who was caught in the storm.”

GRINSPOON’s PHIL JAMIESON states that “Due to the unfortunate storm we were unable to perform at the Pyramid Festival this New Years Eve. We were there & ready to play but after discussion with the festival organisers and on-site emergency services experts a consensus decision was made that it was deemed unsafe. Our thoughts go out to all those that were effected by the storms on NYE.”

THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT “would like to convey a sincere apology for being unable to perform at the Pyramid Rock festival. The band were ready to take the stage, but were unable to do so after a severe storm resulted in the closure of the main stage. Despite best efforts from the band (who remained on site for many hours after) and the Pyramid organisers to continue, the damage was so severe and posed a risk to the band and fans alike. There was no option but to cease operation. The Butterfly Effect band members would like to thank loyal fans and lovers of live music for waiting patiently after enduring such extreme weather.  The Butterfly Effect have vowed to tour later in the year, check the band’s Websites in ensuing weeks for details.”

Organisers hope that despite patrons missing the last four acts on the Main Stage that they were still able to take away some positive memories of their overall experience at Pyramid 09. However, In accordance with Terms and Conditions of sale and entry which are available on the festival website no refunds will be issued and we ask that people reflect on an exceptionally unfortunate situation for all parties that we have all endured together; and be thankful that we were in fact spared from any far worse scenario.

Work has already commenced on the next Pyramid Rock Festival. The organisers and staff remain as committed to the positive ideals of the festival as ever and look forward to a bigger, better Pyramid Rock Festival 2010.”

The Shiny life is usually one of fun, joy and good times. This cautionary tale started out that way and looked like continuning the trend until Mother Nature butted in and said it wasn’t gonna be so…read on pilgrims, but above all else, KEEP THE FAITH!

After almost three days of fun, good vibes and hot music, and with just three hours before New Year’s Eve 2009, The Pyramid Rock Festival was hit by a severe electrical storm that ripped across Phillip Island.

The west facing Main Stage of the festival bore the full force of the extreme Westerly that brought fierce winds, heavy rain, lightning and thunder to the finale of the three day Phillip Island music festival.

The Main Stage suffered major damage to vital lighting and effects systems that could not be restored in time to bring in the New Year. All effort was made to reinstate the appropriate and acceptable standard of stage production levels to the Main Stage area without success, prompting festival organisers arranging to re-locate the four remaining main stage headline acts for the night from the Main Stage to the Pharaoh’s Annex tent.

However with venue safety analysis ongoing, organisers and bands in conjunction with security and emergency services personnel decided that moving the acts to the Pharaoh’s Annex would be unsafe.

The Pyramid Rock Festival organisers sincerely regret that the festival could not run as scheduled and extend their sincere apologies to all the patrons and artists involved – Empire Of The Sun; Grinspoon; The Butterfly Effect; & Van She – for their understanding and support. However, they remain secure in the knowledge that the most difficult decision in their proud six year history was made with patron, artist, employee and volunteer safety as its foremost consideration.

Pyramid Rock Festival aside Phillip Island is a popular holiday destination, and as such there will be increased traffic on the Island over the New Year period so we’re urging all Pyramid punters to consider this when planning your trip to and from Phillip Island.

All involved are doing their best to make exiting Phillip Island after the Festival on Friday 1 January as painless as possible by working in conjunction with the local authorities and VicRoads. To avoid sitting in shitty traffic jams we strongly advise that punters leave the Festival by 10.00am on Friday 1 January. Priority traffic flow will be given to cars exiting the Festival before this time and will ensure a clear run off the Island.

As with many other events and festivals Police have advised that there may be a Police drug operation employed at Pyramid Rock Festival this year including sniffer dogs. Victoria Police have confirmed they will have a presence on-site for the duration of the event. Pyramid Rock Festival does not condone drug use; please do not bring illegal substances to the event.

There are also a few rules in place at Pyramid to ensure the safety of all Festival patrons…

DON’T, and we mean DO NOT, bring in to The Pyramid Rock Festival:
•    BYO alcohol – don’t do it
•    Illegal substances – don’t do it
•    Any glass – don’t do it
•    Fireworks or flares – don’t do it
•    Crowd surf – don’t do it
•    Couches or armchairs – with way too many left behind last year it has become a massive waste and litter issue – don’t do it. Camp chairs are fine!
•    BBQ, gas bottle or cooking equipment requiring flames – don’t do it
•    Don’t over do it – pacing yourself is the key to a really good time!!

DO (it’s for your own good):
•    Be sun smart
•    Drink plenty of water
•    Use the bins on site for your litter – don’t spoil our coast
•    Get help if you’re feeling unwell
•    Look after your mates
•    Bring clothing for all types of weather including warm clothes and bedding
•    Expect to have the time of your life

Pyramid Rock Festival will be sold out before Christmas. If you want to come along and experience one of the largest and most unique camping music festivals in Australia there’s a very limited number of 2 day passes still available. There will be no tickets available for purchase at the gate. This year tickets are bar coded wristbands that will be scanned on entry. No wristband  – no entry.

Gate opening and closing times are as follows…
If you have an Early Arrival Camping Ticket (valid from Tues 29 Dec):
Gates open from 11am Tuesday 29 Dec 2009
Gates close at 3pm Friday 01 Jan 2010. Patrons must exit the venue by this time.

If you have a General Admission Ticket (valid from Wed 30 Dec):
Gates open from 8am Wednesday 30 Dec 2009
Gates close at 3pm Friday 1 Jan 2010. Punters must exit the venue by this time.
* Patrons are strongly encouraged to exit the venue by 10.00am on Friday 1 January, as cars leaving the Festival before this time will be given the majority of traffic flow*

And last but not least, download the final, REVISED, playing times for the 2009 Pyramid Rock Festival right HERE!

This December Pyramid Rock Festival is the place to be for a great start to the New Year!

Imagine rocking out to the likes of Empire Of The Sun, Cat Empire, Grinspoon, The Butterfly Effect, Architecture In Helsinki, Faker, The Beautiful Girls, LCD Soundsystem (DJ Set) (USA), Sugar Army, Tom Ugly and many many more.

Pyramid takes place from 29th December 2009 until 1st January 2010, but there’s some bad news: three day passes are sold out. But no need to worry because two day passes are still up for grabs! So you need to be quick because Pyramid isn’t something to be missed out on!

Need a break from the music? There are other festival attractions like market stalls, a food village and for all you surfers, shuttle buses if you want to head down to one of the beaches.

Pyramid Rock Festival has it all!

So what are you waiting for? Buy your tickets now before they’re all gone!