Blacken Open Air returns to the Dead Centre 30th July – 2nd August at Ross River Resort, coinciding with the NT Picnic Day long weekend. Tickets go on sale tomorrow, Thursday 1st April at 8 am AEST.

Australia’s original camp out heavy music festival, Blacken Open Air, is back for the ninth year since its inception in 2013. It runs across three nights from Friday, 30th July to Monday, 2nd August. Festival ticket sales will coincide with the half-price domestic airfare sale launching tomorrow (1st April).

Gathering on Arrernte country, against the stunning, ancient backdrop of N’Dhala Gorge, Blacken provides a uniquely Australian experience. The lush festival site is surrounded by red cliff escarpments and ancient river beds. 

Run by Alice Springs’ own heavy music record label, The Black Wreath, this festival is like no other. Featuring an enormous lineup of bands from across the nation, as well as Arrernte cultural performance, art installations, sideshows and an array of gourmet food – Blacken has something for everyone.

A limited number of tickets are available from 8 am AEST tomorrow, 1st of April. This coincides with the government subsidised half-price flights to Alice Springs from capital cities.

Pirate, the festival’s founder says:

“In 2019 we collectively achieved something phenomenal. Blacken’s move into our new home at Ross River Resort marked the conclusion of a seven-year journey and the beginning of a new story for Australian festivals.

We are thrilled to announce the return of Blacken in 2021. After a year off, our crew are recharged and ready to pull together our most ambitious festival to date.

Collectively, we’ve been through hell and we’re ravenous. Heavy music is the catharsis we need. Blacken unites our community and gives people an escape from the pressures of the modern world.

We are putting together a diverse, genre-defying spectacle of heavy bands from across the country. This will be our biggest lineup yet.

The half-price flights that go on sale tomorrow will make Blacken more accessible than ever for punters around the country. If this is the event you’ve always wanted to attend, now is the time.

There is so much to experience in the centre of Australia and we encourage people who come to the festival to stick around and explore the heart of the nation.”