HOBOFOPO 2022

There are a hundred punks from all around Australia on a pub crawl in Hobart listening to folk music. What is this, are we in a bizarre parallel universe?

HOBOFOPO is HOBarts Original FOlk Punk Orgy and it happens each year.

What started with a big party to launch Folk Til Ya Punk Records in 2015, has evolved to become an annual gig-crawl bender weekender.

Organisers have just announced that HOBOFOPO2022 will be back on 25-27 November and will feature the following artists:

Ceschi (USA) – Remember when Pat The Bunny retired? He told us we should listen to Ceschi, so we did. If you ask someone for a recommendation of hip-hop / folk-punk crossover music, chances they will say Ceschi, because let’s admit it, there are not many people combining those genres, and he does it so well. Ceschi Ramos’ music was born out of the worlds of underground hip hop, hardcore punk & folk. His version of songwriting may include machine-gun-speed-raps or emotive ballads inspired by Latin American troubadours. Although it’s difficult to describe the type of music that Ceschi makes, it is not difficult to feel the ferocious heart that is behind it all.

Handsome Young Strangers (NSW) – Bushrangercore? Say no more! Sydney bush folk punk stalwarts the HYS have been belting out their blend of traditional, original and Australian classic tunes for 18 years, delivering energetic sets across Australia either in bars, pubs or folk festivals. Expect a rollicking series of tunes about bushranging, shearing, cattle droving and beer. They may no longer be handsome or young, but they’re still bloody strange!

Billy Punton & The Mental Health Plan (NSW) – Festival regulars would recognise Billy, and now he is coming with a full band. For fans of being angry about being sad, Billy Punton & The Mental Health Plan have got you covered. This full band version of Billy’s music takes that adolescent angst and unleashes it in a live setting that puts catchy melody to the struggles with anxiety, depression and ADHD. With their first album just around the corner, you might as well jump on the train now.

Ess-Em (NSW) – Ess-Em is a folk punk band with a difference. Energetic and catchy piano-driven songs with lively lyrics that run the gamut of topics all the way from climate change and cosmic existentialism to finding loose change and their love for their pets. In 2022 Ess-Em celebrated the release of their third record ‘Support What You Love’, and will be performing as a duo at this year’s festival.

Departure Party (NZ) – Departure Party is an anti-folk/folk-punk solo act from New Zealand who started out in mid-2013. The band strives to create music that shares their own personal experiences of dealing with suicidal tendencies, mental health instability and the social stigma that surrounds mental health in today’s society, whilst also trying to bring a heartfelt and sometimes comical vulnerability to what are uncomfortable discussions and topics.

Jude Joseph (VIC) – Ever been accosted by some dirty fiend who jumps between raving about anarchism, drugs, and random life events he’s experienced over the span of several years with rapidly changing moods, while you’re just tryna have a chill night at the bar? You will have soon, this one’s got a guitar.

Also performing are Whiskey Dram (VIC), The Dead Peasants (VIC), Crusty Fox (VIC), Nathan Brailey (VIC), Medusas Wake (NSW), Jim Mongrel (NSW), This Is A Robbery (TAS) The Dead Maggies (TAS), Ragged Hollow (TAS), Alegria (TAS), Browny SC (TAS – via the Tamworth Trash), Katie Wilson (TAS), Teresa Dixon (TAS), Hannah Morrell (TAS) and Samora Squid (Freak o’ the high seas).

HOBOFOPO2022 will occur as a pub-crawl of Hobart CBD venues Friday 25 and Saturday 26 November, with Sunday 27 November performances occurring in the Huon Valley.