Wide Open Space 2018

There are no festivals nestled in the heart of the country quite like Wide Open Space.

Each year more than 1500 people get dusty, and quite often glittery, at the Ross River Resort about 80km out of Alice Springs for three days of music, art and desert dancing. 

This year a huge mix of local, national and international acts are heading to the Red Centre, including Regurgitator, Remi and Alice Ivy.

Regular performer and attendee Jeremy Conlon, aka Cooperblack, says there are plenty of highlights – including the annual Desert Mirage Pool Party with DJ duo Cutlery – and no two festivals are ever the same.

“It’s kind of a funny festival… by the end of the three days you know pretty much everyone,” he says.

This year Cooperblack will perform his electronic dance set for a full hour, with reinterpretations of his tracks dating back to 2000.

“The set is really dependant on how the crowd is, we bring a little projector and smoke machine and a quite dark and minimal lighting set up,” he says. 

Conlon gave us the low-down on his top acts and tips for the festival and what else you should have on your list while you’re in the region.

Top 5 Arts and Cultural Activities
Apmereke-artweye – Welcome Ceremony 
The Red Room 
Dirty Word 
OLA’ LAB  
Petal and Pan

Top 5 Music Acts 
Haiku Hands 
DinoB1tch 
Double Dinghy Regurgitator 
Snakes

Top 5 Festival Tips
Water 
Snacks 
Bring a hat 
Dress up 
Love and respect