Handpicked Festival is celebrating its tenth anniversary this summer with a blockbuster all-Australian line-up headed for Langhorne Creek.
Adelaide’s own Guy Sebastian will headline the milestone event, joined by Missy Higgins, Kita Alexander, The Living End, Old Mervs and The Teskey Brothers at Lake Breeze Wines on Saturday November 14.
The announcement comes after an unprecedented response from festival-goers, with more than 65 per cent of tickets already sold before a single artist had been revealed.
For festival creator Kate Cooper, the milestone line-up feels particularly special.
“Having Guy Sebastian at Handpicked for our tenth birthday feels incredibly special. He’s one of Australia’s most iconic artists and someone whose songs have been part of the soundtrack to so many people’s lives. We’ve wanted to welcome Guy to Langhorne Creek for a long time, so having him make his Handpicked debut in our milestone year feels like the perfect fit,” Kate said.
Sebastian, who rose to fame as the inaugural winner of Australian Idol in 2003, has sold more than seven million units worldwide, amassed over 1.3 billion streams and remains the only Australian artist in ARIA chart history to have six number one singles.
Missy Higgins will return to Handpicked for the second time, bringing her beloved catalogue of Australian songwriting back to the vineyard stage.
“We feel like Missy is part of the Handpicked family now. Last time she performed here, there was such a special connection between her and the crowd. Her songs have a way of stopping people in their tracks, and we’re thrilled to welcome her back for our tenth anniversary,” Kate said.
The Living End will make their Handpicked debut and close the stage, while Kita Alexander will bring her sun-soaked indie pop to the lawns. Old Mervs will add their surfy, guitar-driven sound to the day, and The Teskey Brothers will return after what organisers describe as one of the festival’s most memorable past performances.
Hidden among the vineyards and gumtrees of Lake Breeze Wines, Handpicked has become one of South Australia’s most loved regional festivals, combining live music, award-winning wines, food trucks and its signature cocktail forest.
What began as a small grassroots event with 1,400 people has grown into a major regional success story, drawing a record crowd of 9,000 last year and generating an estimated $1.7 million to $2.4 million in visitor expenditure for Langhorne Creek and the broader region.
“The concept started around my grandparent’s dining table with a pretty simple idea, to bring great Australian music to our family winery and see what happens,” Kate said.
“Ten years on, it feels pretty surreal. There’s a lot of pride, but also a bit of disbelief that it’s become what it is.
“We see people who came in 2014, now bringing their kids. We see groups who plan their entire year around it. There are some festival-goers who have attended every single festival.
“That level of return means you’re not just selling tickets, you’re building something people genuinely connect to.”
Handpicked Festival will take place on Saturday November 14 at Lake Breeze Wines, Langhorne Creek.
Tickets are available at handpickedfestival.com.
