1 00:00:00,120 --> 00:00:03,239 Speaker 1: But in the meantime, joining me in the studio right now. 2 00:00:03,720 --> 00:00:08,920 Speaker 1: After twenty nights of or inspiring entertainment, the Darwin Festival 3 00:00:09,160 --> 00:00:12,920 Speaker 1: has ended on a high, would sellout crowds at the 4 00:00:12,960 --> 00:00:17,919 Speaker 1: closing weekend performances and the event well overall, notching up 5 00:00:18,320 --> 00:00:24,000 Speaker 1: a massive eighty three events across a record forty venues. 6 00:00:24,400 --> 00:00:27,680 Speaker 1: Joining us in the studio right now, no doubt, probably 7 00:00:27,720 --> 00:00:32,320 Speaker 1: a bit exhausted, but very happy. Kate Fell, the artistic director. 8 00:00:32,280 --> 00:00:37,520 Speaker 2: Hello, good morning, great, how are you feeling feeling really good? Definitely, 9 00:00:38,120 --> 00:00:41,120 Speaker 2: I'm not gonna lie, but it was just such a 10 00:00:41,159 --> 00:00:44,159 Speaker 2: great just the closing weekend, it just went out on 11 00:00:44,159 --> 00:00:47,360 Speaker 2: a high. Yeah, the cad Empire at the end at 12 00:00:47,360 --> 00:00:51,640 Speaker 2: the Ski Club, thousands of people dancing euphorically, very sweaty. 13 00:00:52,400 --> 00:00:53,720 Speaker 2: It was a really great night. 14 00:00:53,960 --> 00:00:55,800 Speaker 1: It was funny, wasn't it. Like from the beginning of 15 00:00:55,840 --> 00:00:58,000 Speaker 1: the Darwin Festival it was sort of a little bit cooler. 16 00:00:58,080 --> 00:00:59,560 Speaker 1: We had the dry season. 17 00:00:59,240 --> 00:01:01,920 Speaker 2: And it was like mine really got warm right at 18 00:01:01,920 --> 00:01:04,680 Speaker 2: the end. Yeah, you know, we showed everyone how to 19 00:01:05,360 --> 00:01:06,720 Speaker 2: go out and staff. Yeah. 20 00:01:06,840 --> 00:01:09,880 Speaker 1: Now, tell me a little bit about how many people attended, 21 00:01:10,200 --> 00:01:13,440 Speaker 1: how many performances there were, give us some of those stats. 22 00:01:13,600 --> 00:01:16,360 Speaker 2: Look, it was a big festival as always, so we 23 00:01:16,440 --> 00:01:20,840 Speaker 2: sold about fifty over fifty five thousand tickets, which was fabulous. 24 00:01:21,760 --> 00:01:22,520 Speaker 1: Is that a record? 25 00:01:23,080 --> 00:01:25,880 Speaker 2: It's basically what we sold last year, which is fabulous. 26 00:01:25,959 --> 00:01:28,479 Speaker 2: You know that to us is a really great sign 27 00:01:28,520 --> 00:01:30,600 Speaker 2: of success that that, you know, last year was a 28 00:01:30,640 --> 00:01:34,880 Speaker 2: record number and to continue that this year was really fantastic, 29 00:01:35,160 --> 00:01:36,520 Speaker 2: especially in what's been. 30 00:01:36,400 --> 00:01:39,839 Speaker 1: A real cost of living crisis for a lot of people. 31 00:01:39,920 --> 00:01:44,360 Speaker 2: Absolutely, and look, I know people buy multiple tickets, but 32 00:01:44,400 --> 00:01:47,040 Speaker 2: also there's people that just get picked that one show 33 00:01:47,160 --> 00:01:48,840 Speaker 2: and that one show that they want to go, which 34 00:01:48,920 --> 00:01:52,280 Speaker 2: is which is equally as important. About twenty five percent 35 00:01:52,320 --> 00:01:54,400 Speaker 2: of our program was free, so that was a real 36 00:01:54,720 --> 00:01:57,560 Speaker 2: you know, an in Festival Park, we saw record numbers 37 00:01:57,600 --> 00:02:00,920 Speaker 2: there and then things at the waterfront, Armiston and the 38 00:02:01,040 --> 00:02:04,040 Speaker 2: Esplanade across the city. So you know, I think we 39 00:02:04,080 --> 00:02:06,440 Speaker 2: saw that both people wanting to buy tickets and you know, 40 00:02:06,520 --> 00:02:08,680 Speaker 2: lots of sold out shows, but also just wanting to 41 00:02:08,800 --> 00:02:11,280 Speaker 2: soak up the festival atmosphere, which was fabulous. 42 00:02:11,440 --> 00:02:15,079 Speaker 1: So fifty five thousand tickets sold, I mean that is enormous. 43 00:02:15,120 --> 00:02:18,119 Speaker 2: This is huge when you look at numbers across festivals 44 00:02:18,160 --> 00:02:22,240 Speaker 2: across the country in cities a lot more bigger than Darwin. 45 00:02:22,639 --> 00:02:26,680 Speaker 2: It's an amazing achievement from from Darwin. You know, of 46 00:02:26,720 --> 00:02:29,280 Speaker 2: audience as a community of Darwin who really get behind 47 00:02:29,320 --> 00:02:29,920 Speaker 2: this festival. 48 00:02:29,919 --> 00:02:32,959 Speaker 1: As we've always said, so how many shows and performances 49 00:02:32,960 --> 00:02:34,519 Speaker 1: were put on for this festival. 50 00:02:34,880 --> 00:02:37,079 Speaker 2: Yeah, so there was like, yeah, eighty three events. It was, 51 00:02:37,120 --> 00:02:40,400 Speaker 2: like I think it was, it's over seven hundred performances, 52 00:02:40,560 --> 00:02:43,640 Speaker 2: which is huge, just so much to know all the 53 00:02:43,680 --> 00:02:47,400 Speaker 2: things and you know, the other the other stat that 54 00:02:47,440 --> 00:02:50,000 Speaker 2: we're really proud of is that about sixty percent of 55 00:02:50,040 --> 00:02:53,120 Speaker 2: our artists were from the Northern Territory, from Darwin, but 56 00:02:53,240 --> 00:02:56,040 Speaker 2: also all across the territory and that you know from 57 00:02:56,520 --> 00:03:00,560 Speaker 2: music and visual artists and performers and some great new 58 00:03:00,639 --> 00:03:03,480 Speaker 2: work that was made by Northern Territory artists. So we're 59 00:03:03,520 --> 00:03:04,519 Speaker 2: really proud of that too. 60 00:03:04,680 --> 00:03:06,600 Speaker 1: Yeah. I think that's a wonderful thing to see because 61 00:03:06,600 --> 00:03:09,680 Speaker 1: it gives those local artists the opportunity to actually showcase 62 00:03:09,720 --> 00:03:11,720 Speaker 1: their work on a huge stage. 63 00:03:11,560 --> 00:03:14,320 Speaker 2: And people here want to see it, people visiting want 64 00:03:14,320 --> 00:03:17,480 Speaker 2: to really want to Yeah. I think that insight into 65 00:03:18,080 --> 00:03:21,440 Speaker 2: Northern Territory and top end arts and culture, and of 66 00:03:21,480 --> 00:03:23,920 Speaker 2: course then it's about bringing some amazing acts and I 67 00:03:23,919 --> 00:03:26,239 Speaker 2: think you know that kind of closing weekend we really 68 00:03:26,639 --> 00:03:28,880 Speaker 2: you know, it just it kept up in the antea 69 00:03:28,919 --> 00:03:30,720 Speaker 2: of some really special concerts. 70 00:03:31,160 --> 00:03:33,640 Speaker 1: Yeah for short. Now tell me, do you know at 71 00:03:33,680 --> 00:03:36,480 Speaker 1: this point in time the you know, any indication of 72 00:03:36,520 --> 00:03:39,200 Speaker 1: those visitors from interstate or does that detail start to 73 00:03:39,200 --> 00:03:39,840 Speaker 1: come through It. 74 00:03:39,760 --> 00:03:41,280 Speaker 2: Starts to come through. We do a whole lot of 75 00:03:41,280 --> 00:03:46,160 Speaker 2: market research and surveys and analysis, so don't have an 76 00:03:46,200 --> 00:03:48,600 Speaker 2: exact number. We're feeling like it's probably quite similar to 77 00:03:48,680 --> 00:03:51,120 Speaker 2: last year at this point, but yeah, we'll know that 78 00:03:51,240 --> 00:03:53,040 Speaker 2: kind of in the next sort of next fortnight. 79 00:03:53,600 --> 00:03:55,360 Speaker 1: What were some of the favorites do you think for 80 00:03:55,440 --> 00:03:59,120 Speaker 1: people who attended this year? Do you know what I love? 81 00:03:59,160 --> 00:04:01,080 Speaker 2: People come and tell me favorites, which I love, And 82 00:04:01,120 --> 00:04:02,880 Speaker 2: what I actually love this year is that there's no 83 00:04:03,240 --> 00:04:06,240 Speaker 2: like one standout show I reckon. I've heard about one 84 00:04:06,320 --> 00:04:10,240 Speaker 2: hundred different responses to the top show, which is which 85 00:04:10,280 --> 00:04:13,600 Speaker 2: is absolutely what you want. I mean, it's always some 86 00:04:13,640 --> 00:04:16,360 Speaker 2: of those recent ones. Marlon Williams at the Ski Club 87 00:04:16,400 --> 00:04:19,840 Speaker 2: on Friday night was just one of those very magical moments. 88 00:04:19,839 --> 00:04:24,919 Speaker 2: It was just him ye, his voice, his like his charisma, 89 00:04:25,120 --> 00:04:27,719 Speaker 2: his you know, you could hear a pin drop the 90 00:04:27,800 --> 00:04:31,360 Speaker 2: sun is setting, he said, He went, this is one 91 00:04:31,360 --> 00:04:34,440 Speaker 2: of the best venues and the best festival experiences I've 92 00:04:34,480 --> 00:04:34,920 Speaker 2: ever had. 93 00:04:35,040 --> 00:04:36,680 Speaker 1: Yeah, wonderful, which is pretty. 94 00:04:36,440 --> 00:04:39,080 Speaker 2: Amazing from an artist who tour is Australia and too 95 00:04:39,160 --> 00:04:39,680 Speaker 2: is the world. 96 00:04:39,760 --> 00:04:43,200 Speaker 1: So that's so cool. Yeah. Now, and in terms of 97 00:04:43,680 --> 00:04:46,840 Speaker 1: the expansion out to Palmerston and some of the different 98 00:04:46,839 --> 00:04:48,560 Speaker 1: things we saw this year, how do you think that 99 00:04:48,640 --> 00:04:49,000 Speaker 1: all went? 100 00:04:49,200 --> 00:04:52,960 Speaker 2: Really great? So Palmerston was a fantastic weekend. We're super 101 00:04:53,040 --> 00:04:56,000 Speaker 2: keen to do that again. The night with the markets 102 00:04:56,120 --> 00:04:58,400 Speaker 2: was really fabulous and then the comedy show on the 103 00:04:58,400 --> 00:05:03,880 Speaker 2: Saturday night, so that was a definite highlight. The food 104 00:05:03,960 --> 00:05:07,080 Speaker 2: and the beverage and those boutique events that we did 105 00:05:07,480 --> 00:05:10,480 Speaker 2: were a real highlight and absolutely something we want to 106 00:05:10,560 --> 00:05:13,760 Speaker 2: keep growing. That, you know, food and that side of 107 00:05:14,080 --> 00:05:18,200 Speaker 2: life here in Darwen is so it's so special and 108 00:05:18,240 --> 00:05:19,560 Speaker 2: to be able to sort of shine a light on 109 00:05:19,600 --> 00:05:23,719 Speaker 2: that as well was fantastic. Yeah, And I think yeah, 110 00:05:23,800 --> 00:05:26,719 Speaker 2: just I think for us, it's that bringing people together 111 00:05:27,080 --> 00:05:30,880 Speaker 2: in the city and then exploring and doing events, you know, 112 00:05:30,920 --> 00:05:34,320 Speaker 2: having forty venues this year. That's all our amazing galleries 113 00:05:34,320 --> 00:05:38,280 Speaker 2: to keep urging everyone keep visiting these exhibitions that are 114 00:05:38,320 --> 00:05:41,520 Speaker 2: on and the music venues, you know, they're on all 115 00:05:41,600 --> 00:05:44,919 Speaker 2: year round. We can have this experience here in Darwen, 116 00:05:44,920 --> 00:05:46,120 Speaker 2: which we're pretty lucky. 117 00:05:45,839 --> 00:05:49,400 Speaker 1: To so so yeah, it's so good. Yeah, absolutely, Now 118 00:05:49,400 --> 00:05:51,960 Speaker 1: tell me what happens now? Do you get a little 119 00:05:51,960 --> 00:05:53,599 Speaker 1: bit of time off or is it time to start 120 00:05:53,640 --> 00:05:55,120 Speaker 1: planning for next year already? 121 00:05:55,200 --> 00:05:58,520 Speaker 2: Look, it's both. We definitely have to wrap up. We're 122 00:05:58,560 --> 00:06:01,800 Speaker 2: planning sort of stops, but we do have a little 123 00:06:01,800 --> 00:06:04,599 Speaker 2: break as well in a few weeks time, which will 124 00:06:04,600 --> 00:06:07,279 Speaker 2: be lovely but yet ready to go again. 125 00:06:07,400 --> 00:06:10,240 Speaker 1: So wonderful stuff for cate Fell. It's been lovely to 126 00:06:10,279 --> 00:06:14,039 Speaker 1: catch up with you regularly throughout the festival and I 127 00:06:14,160 --> 00:06:17,000 Speaker 1: know you guys will just get cracking now after you've 128 00:06:17,000 --> 00:06:19,520 Speaker 1: had a little break on organizing for next year. Do 129 00:06:19,560 --> 00:06:20,800 Speaker 1: you know the dates already for me? 130 00:06:21,240 --> 00:06:23,640 Speaker 2: Seven? So the twenty fourth of August I think that's right. 131 00:06:23,760 --> 00:06:25,800 Speaker 2: So yeah, that's why I love Intail and like the 132 00:06:25,839 --> 00:06:29,080 Speaker 2: pressure people put pressure on. I love it. You know 133 00:06:29,200 --> 00:06:31,240 Speaker 2: they're like, okay, well, what's going to be better next year? 134 00:06:31,279 --> 00:06:34,320 Speaker 2: I'm like, leave it with me a minute, give me 135 00:06:34,360 --> 00:06:38,000 Speaker 2: a second. Yeah, it keeps keeps us going all you're around. 136 00:06:38,400 --> 00:06:42,560 Speaker 1: They don't muck around. Audiences in the Northern Territory. 137 00:06:42,120 --> 00:06:44,760 Speaker 2: Expectations and we will continue to meet them. 138 00:06:46,200 --> 00:06:51,080 Speaker 1: Absolutely, love it well, Cate Fell. Lovely to speak with you. Yeah, 139 00:06:51,200 --> 00:06:54,279 Speaker 1: no worries it all we'll talk against. Thank you.