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Dylan Alcott’s Ability Fest Is Making Its Triumphant Return This Year

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The world would be a far better place if there were more festivals like Ability Fest.

But for now, we can relish the fact that the country’s most inclusive music event is returning this October, taking over Melbourne and making an exciting debut in Brisbane.

Backed by Untitled Group and Triple J, Ability Fest isn't just one of the best music events in Australia, but it’s the most accessible and inclusive day rager. This year, the lineup is aligning to its usual rigorous standard, stacked with a diverse range of performers including everyone from chart-topping artists to emerging talent like Bag Raiders, Cub Sport and Kita Alexander.

At the helm as founder is Paralympic gold medalist, 2022 Australian of the Year, and disability advocate Dylan Alcott.

“Firstly, it’s just a fun party. But there is a very tangible energy of love and inclusion because people are experiencing things for the first time. Not just people with disability getting to go to a festival for the first time, but their brothers and sisters, boyfriends and girlfriends coming with them for the first time too,” says Alcott.

Ability Festival is fitted out with unmatched accessibility features. Think pathways and flooring throughout the entire festival, raised viewing platforms with direct views of the stage, tactile silent discos with sensory suits to quite literally feel the beat, dedicated chill zones and sensory rooms for neurodiverse people to recharge, accessible buggies running throughout the grounds, and AUSLAN bar staff and on-stage interpreters.

Tickets are still available, going for just $60 a pop—another effort in making the festival as inclusive as possible. All proceeds are going straight to the Dylan Alcott Foundation as a donation to continue supporting people living with disability. And unlike previous years, doors are swinging open to festival goers now 16 years and older.

THE FULL LINEUP 

Asha Jefferies, Bag Raiders, Boone, Brenn!, Crybaby, Cub Sport, DAWS, Dewbs, Eliza Hull, Floodlights, Jamesjamesjames, Jordan Brando, Jordz, King Stingray, Kita Alexander, Kuzco, Naynay, ONEFOUR, Ocean Alley, Wax'o Paradiso

ABILITY FESTIVAL MELBOURNE

When: Saturday 19 October from 12pm
Where: Alexandra Gardens/Birrarung Marr, Melbourne CBD
For more information and tickets to the Melbourne gig, head over here.

ABILITY FESTIVAL BRISBANE

When: Saturday 26 October from 12pm
Where: Victoria Park/Barrambin, Brisbane
For more information and tickets to the Melbourne gig, head over here.

Image credit: Ability Festival | Supplied

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