Calling all insomniacs with a penchant for round-the-clock revelry: Sleepless Footscray Festival is returning for a third edition this May. This festival of public art, music and unexpected activations will bring dormant laneways and forgotten indoor spaces to life, transforming them into inviting nightscapes.
The heart of vibrant Footscray will play host to a series of adventurous events celebrating the world-class diversity and creativity coming out of Melbourne’s Inner West. Running from May 4-19, the festival will consist of an eclectic line-up including music, film screenings, art installations, theatre and more.
For lovers of offbeat cinema, the Melbourne Nocturnal Film Festival will bring the weirdest and most wonderful local shorts to Footscray’s Bluestone Church Arts Space for three days.
For those aiming for auditory delights, the Melbourne Trap Orchestra will play a high-energy greatest hits set at Kindred Studios. Over at Footscray Records, Cowpunk band Goatlaw and post-punk disco groovers Carpal Tunnel will play for one night only. If it’s a musical journey you’re after, Astra Choir will literally transport you from the chambers of commerce to the halls of higher powers.
Festival artistic director Troy Rainbow says Sleepless will give Melburnians an opportunity to support the arts during a difficult time for the live entertainment industry.
“By making Sleepless as accessible as possible, we’re giving music and arts lovers the opportunity to support the incredible talent right here in our own backyard for the third year running,” he says.
Learn more information about this festival (which is supported by the Maribyrnong City Council), view the full schedule or book tickets here.