Lineup
THE PEEP TEMPEL
The Peep Tempel is a punk rock band from Melbourne, Australia. The band are Blake Scott (vocals, guitar), Steven Carter (drums) and Stewart Rayner (bass guitar). The band formed in 2008 as a two-piece by singer-songwriter Blake Scott and drummer Steven Carter who were neighbours at the time. As a three-piece, the band have released three studio albums: The Peep Tempel, Tales and Joy.
THE SLINGERS
Through the last five years of eclectic releases and impassioned live performances, The Slingers have cemented themselves as one of the most unique bands in the contemporary Australian underground/alternative scene. Their releases range in style from rock and roll to electronic, and from Australiana folk to the country pastiche of Kind Hearts, a collaboration with Melbourne underground legend, Spike Fuck.
NICE BISCUIT
Brisbane (Meanjin) based psychedelic rock quintet Nice Biscuit are unique in the mesmerising sonic and visual world they create. A swirling blend of krautesque rhythms and powerful dual vocals, combined with heavily modulated guitar tones, the band creates a hypnotic psychedelia that sets them apart from the rest.
WATTY THOMPSON 7 THE TOTAL FIRE BAND
Enigmatic powerhouse, Barmah-born Watty Thompson is emerging as a striking and entirely unique performer-songwriter in Australia’s storytelling tradition. A little bit country, a little bit folk, and 100% heart, Watty’s high-energy sets impress upon those in the room an increasingly rare skill: the ability to lay bare and embrace the highs and lows of everything that makes us human.
THE BELAIR LIP BOMBS
The Belair Lip Bombs formed in 2017, with all four members playing music since a young age and meeting in high school. The band is named after a set of skateboard wheels from the 1980s. They released their self-titled debut extended play (EP) in 2018, and a second, titled Songs to Do Your Laundry To, in May 2019.
COMETS
COMETS are an instrumental psych band hailing from Melbourne/ Naarm. Fast friends for life, members of Eddy Current Suppression Ring, Boomgates and Trial Kennedy teamed up together in 2021 to record what became 'Rain Faces', their first LP, short-listed for the Australian Music Prize and described by Strangeworld Records as 'Reminiscent of Chicago's CAVE... This ain't no jam band nonsense, they never lose sense of where they're at'.
DJ QUEENIE
Queenie is a fearless performer who wears her heart on her sleeve. Her live shows shake, shudder and smoulder with fiery charisma and freewheeling stagecraft when she’s performing with her band; a Rogues’ gallery of Melbourne’s finest musicians. Beneath all the sizzle, though, is a unique and powerful voice: tender one moment and visceral the next, Queenie can soar from Emmy-Lou Harris to Mariah Carey at the drop of a hat, launching her deeply emotive songwriting into the stratosphere like a rocket strapped to a Cadillac.
THE CLAMS
The Clams are Melbourne’s least-professional (but most clamtastic) feminist water ballet team. Their shows combine social commentary with humour and entertainment. They're sassy, energetic and body-positive!
YORDJA
Troy Firebrace is a proud Yorta Yorta and Dja Dja Wurrung man with a passion for sharing knowledge, championing unity and reconciliation. With each paint stroke, each conversation and each viewing of his work, he invites us on a journey to connect with Country, culture and each other. A high level of detail is achieved through repetitive line-work that often reflects the contours of Country and the waterways that intersect. The creation of this artwork requires Troy to enter into a meditative space of which he hopes the audience can also step into while viewing the artwork.What's Happening
A special treat for us all
The wheels are in motion. We’re cruising up the Calder to a place we call Paradise but you’ll know as Charlton.
This is a warm and welcome invite to the Friendly River Town. Clear the books from Friday the 23rd until Sunday the 25th of February. It’ll be an unforgettable assortment of us and 500 other soon to be mates. A time to unwind under a Mallee full moon, move your feet, get up to a bit of riff raff and indulge the laughing gear with some good yarns. We’re going arvo to evening with a chockers schedule. Tunes from The Slingers, Watty Thompson and The Total Fire Band, and The Belair Lip Bombs. Pool Party Water Ballet with The Clams. Friendship Bingo called by Tell Your Friends You Love Them. All the rest from such classics as bevvies, friendship, ice cream, devonshire tea, mini golf, karaoke, car boot sales, artist markets, vintage stalls, barefoot bowls, big ol’ barbies and swimming pools for peak summer cool offs. Doesn’t matter who you are or what tickles your fancy, we’ve got all the ingredients for a bloody good time.
Pop over for a top notch excuse to get bushed. The locals love ya and you haven’t even met. Get out of the big smoke and up to a bit of wholesome mischief. It’s a get away worth a sticky-beak that’ll quickly turn into a stay-around.
Anyway c’mon. Tag along. Come stumps you’ll end up saying, “Same time next year?” Promise.
Where to Stay
There's a place to rest every kind of head.
Charlton Motel
Stay where the party is. Rooms for two or three are available at the Charlton Motel, all within easy shuffling distance from the Glenda Room, the Pool Cabana Karaoke Dance Club, and the mini putt putt. You’ll have a sink full of ice cold beers on arrival.
OK CAMP
On the banks of the Avoca River and smack bang in the middle of the swimming pool, bowling club, and the East Charlton Hotel. It is the perfect spot to set yourself up for a fun weekend in Charlton.
FANCY CAMP
If you don’t have any camping gear, or fancy a fancier camping option, we’ve partnered with Swell Shelter who have tents for two to five friends. You can choose between the standard fancy, or go full bougie.
THE VALE OF AVOCA
Benno and Carmel are the hosts with the most and offer up a legendary brekky to party weary guests. Out back there’s a lush beer garden where you can spend the arvo eating wood-fired pizza, sipping cool drinks, and hang with Jasper the pooch.
EAST CHARLTON HOTEL
A stay at the East is a stay right in the heart of the action. It’s smack bang in the middle of town and the first stop for most for a cool drink at the end of your drive. You’ll meet Greg and Leanne, and the rest of the friendly crew who’ll look after you and make sure you have a great time. Greg also needs no encouragement to get the guitar out and jump on the bar. You’ve been warned.
More Info
Charlton is 3 hours directly up the Calder Highway from Melbourne. If you’re taking PT, there is a VLine to Bendigo, then a bus to Charlton.
All the info you need to get to OK Charlton will be updated here next week. If you have a question we haven’t answered, feel free to get in touch.
