Southbound celebrates 10 years

LAST year saw flash mobs emerge, a mixture of melodic local and international talent and ten bags of drugs left lonely and unattended.

Sergeant Dave Wall said the drugs were dropped by a person who saw the police dog approaching and did not want to get caught.

Matt Corby made the ladies swoon, Hot Chip had the crowd dancing, the Hives had them singing along and Flume just left them in awe.

Seven hundred cars were halted on their way down for random breath tests and 109 infringements were issued.

2012

This year UK’s handsome hipsters the Arctic Monkeys and the Kooks had the crowd grooving the night away.

The festival was a success according to local police with two disorderly conduct, 15 move on notices and three liquor infringements issued.

This year the new 18+ format was released as well as whispers that the festival may be moved to Augusta, which continue to circulate today.

Australian favourites the John Butler Trio and pint-sized Kimbra drew in the crowd as well as the smooth sounds of America’s Aloe Blacc.

2011

Described by local police as the ‘smoothest Southbound yet’ this year saw an impressive Australian line up.

On Sunday night Eskimo Joe warmed up the crowd followed by aussie hip-hop artists Bliss N Eso then local sensations Birds of Tokyo and aussie rockers The Living End.

The internationals then stepped up the pace with Joan Jett and the Blackhearts pumping out hits like I love rock and roll and I hate myself for loving you.

Busselton police acting senior sergeant Jo Morrissey said there were only three arrests over the weekend and they were happy with the behaviour.

2010

The tickets began to sell out early in 2010 and this could have been thanks to the big-named line up.

Iconic DJ, producer and singer Moby impressed the crowd with why does my heart feel so bad and other hits.

Again Australian acts wowed with the sultry sounds of Sarah Blasko, the unmistakable voice of Temper Trap and the party starting Art Vs Science.

2009

The festival was met with caution this year with local residents expressing fire safety concerns for a reserve close to the event.

This did not stop the year going off with a bang with several people charged with drug possession and many also tried to sneak over fences.

Perhaps they were drawn to the acoustic sounds of Pete Murray, wanted to move to the beat of Santogold or dance with friends to Franz Ferdinand?

2008

Australia was represented big time this year with Lior, The Waifs, Spiderbait and Angus and Julia Stone but the long-haired kings of America’s south- Kings of Leon- were the main drawcard.

Twenty thousand people enjoyed the festival in 2009 and Busselton senior sergeant Scott Morrissey revealed there were “no major dramas”.

While 221 cautions were issued this didn’t stop the crowd from soaking up the Busselton sun and dancing the day away.

2007

After the festival completely sold out, Sunset events were kind enough to release 200 extra tickets exclusively to South West residents.

Seventy police officers covered this year’s event which saw eight people evicted and 73 liquor infringements issued.

The Presets were there with ‘all of their people’, Wolfmother rocked out some favourites and Youth Group made people of all ages feel forever young.

2006

The festival celebrated it’s second birthday with the Dandy Warhols, Hoodoo Guru’s and Downsyde as invited VIP guests.

Other party guests had a splendid time, as they could now camp, and local police and the then Shire of Busselton stated there were no noise complaints or major traffic problems.

Former Busselton band As a Weapon couldn’t hide their excitement as they played in front of a crowd of 12,500 and rubbed shoulders with some of their idols.

2005

This was the eventful year that Southbound rocked up on the shores of the sunny South West town of Busselton.

The first bands to grace the stages were the likes of Regurgitator, Machine Gun Fellatio, Little Birdy and Eskimo Joe.

Who knew the concert would grow into a three day festival where people could dance all day to their favourite Australian and international acts, sleep on-site all night, then wake up the next day and do it all over again.