Iconic SA trio to headline Handpicked
Hilltop Hoods are back to headline the Langhorne Creek event after a freak storm cancelled their 2022 appearance at the festival.
The trio from Blackwood who formed their iconic hip-hop act in the 90s and have been regular festival fixtures for decades, will headline Handpicked in November on a lineup including The Rubens and Hot Dub Time Machine.
The Hilltop Hoods, The Rubens and Hot Dub Time Machine were all set to perform at the 2022 event, before it was abruptly cancelled as a freak storm inundated the Langhorne Creek property with 65 millimetres of rain.
This time around, The Rubens will play tunes from their highly anticipated fifth album, SODA. Hot Dub Time Machine, an artist infamous across Adelaide’s wine region, will take festival goers on a journey through every decade of music, delivering a history lesson you definitely won’t find boring.
Despite the extreme weather dampening their run in 2022, and a contentious festival landscape that followed, Handpicked was one of the few festivals that went ahead in 2024 after SA’s festival fixtures like Groovin’ the Moo and Vintage Vibes were cancelled due to a lack of economic viability.
Handpicked will persevere for another festival season, priding itself on its community focus, which organisers have told CityMag previously is the reason they’ve pushed through the tough times.
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Festival founder Kate Cooper says it was “pure magic” to see the sell-out crowd get behind the festival again in 2024.
“Last year, we were ecstatic to have 7500 people bursting into our backyard,” Kate says.
This year’s all-Australian lineup will also feature Meg Mac, a name worshipped by many die-hard fans like Kate.
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“Meg Mac has been an all-time favourite for me. To think we have finally got her coming to Handpicked in 2025 is a joy,” Kate says.
“You may well find me at the front of the crowd singing along for Meg’s entire set.”
Torquay local Xavier Rudd will join the lineup, sure to serenade crowds with his earthy, acoustic sound.
Following his breakout live set at WOMADelaide in 2021, MARLON will appear at Handpicked this year. If you are not familiar with his music, you may know Marlon Motlop from his career with the Port Adelaide Football Club, where he played for the AFL team from 2008 to 2011.
Other artists set to hit the stage this year include Lotte Gallagher, who is often compared to another fixture, Mia Wray, both categorised by their tender, poppy vocals.
Hosted by Lake Breeze Wine, Kate’s family-owned property, the festival stage is nestled amongst its vineyards and festival goers are encouraged to bring picnic rugs to sprawl across the grass.
“Handpicked is where boutique meets festival, think world-class live music, incredible wines, curated food and stunning scenery, all in an intimate, friendly setting. No chaos, no stress, just pure magic,” says Kate.
This year, the family is introducing Wine Down Weekend to get attendees to spend the full weekend exploring the Langhorne Creek area.
Handpicked Festival is on Saturday, November 8, with tickets available at www.handpickedfestival.com.
