The beloved Meredith Music Festival, and its sister festival Golden Plains, could be set for a big return following a massive federal government grant.
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The annual festival would have celebrated its 30th birthday in 2020, but was tragically postponed because of the pandemic - 2020's Golden Plains Festival, in March, was one of the last big events before sweeping restrictions came in, and will celebrate 15 years in 2022.
Through its RISE entertainment funding program, the federal government has committed $651,000 to "reactivate" both festivals, with a media release stating it will be for 2021-22.
READ MORE: What happens if Meredith 2020 is postponed?
Massive names have taken the stage at the Supernatural Amphitheatre over the years, from Australian legends like Courtney Barnett, Icehouse, and Nick Cave's Grinderman, to jaw-dropping international acts like Spiritualized, Mogwai, and De La Soul, and regulars like the City of Ballarat Municipal Brass Band.
The festivals have cemented legends, like the Dirty Three's apocryphal set during a lightning storm, and started others, like a three-piece Tame Impala playing early one morning just after their first EP had launched.
They also help fund several community groups and charities in Meredith itself, through the Community Tucker Tent, and famously has a strict no-dickheads policy.
Representatives for the festival declined to comment on whether the 2021-22 festivals will run as before.
"Meredith Music Festival and Golden Plains Festival are very grateful to be recipients in Batch 4 of the Australian Government's RISE fund," they said.
"The grant provides necessary funds to keep the organisation ready to reactivate when the time is right, and for the festivals to resume playing their part in the cultural, social, environmental and economic life of Victoria.
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"And of course, it goes without saying that I very much look forward to a return to the Supernatural Amphitheatre for us all."
The festival usually announces its lineup in late July or early August - the last Meredith featured Oasis' Liam Gallagher, Briggs, and Amyl and the Sniffers.
Geelong's Museum of Play and Art and the Lorne Sculpture Biennale also received funding through the fourth round of the RISE program.
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