Locked and Loaded: Loaded Laneway comes to Civic

Posted on 4 April, 2018

Looking to cut loose, footloose or to get out of your house for some house music?

Happening next weekend over two nights, Loaded Laneway is Canberra’s very own street music festival.

Born from the ACT Government’s pledge to rejuvenate Canberra’s laneways, the organisers behind Loaded Laneway were inspired to bring food, music, and good vibes into one space, explains Event and Marketing Manager Sophia Carlini.

“As local business owners, we are often brought in on community meetings and have been exposed to the proposed improvements, particularly for Verity Lane. We thought it would be cool to put all of the things Canberrans love – music, food and dance – into Verity Lane to remind Canberra how beautiful our city is.”

The masterminds behind Loaded are all anonymous Canberra hospitality players who have “been in the game for a long time,” says Carlini. And though the organisers are keeping their identities in the shadows, they are confident the festival will shine on its own.

The ever-changing Sydney Building, where the first of Canberra’s cafes, restaurants and bars were established, has inspired the breath of fresh air the team is hoping to inject into the Lane.

Food vendors are yet to be announced, but watch out for a number of Sydney building vendors as well as local favourites Grease Monkey and Kusina. For those with a thirst that needs to be quenched, Treehouse Bar and Reload Bar & Games will be running two bars on both nights.

But the celebration of the nation’s capital goes beyond its food and cultural history, with many of the featured artists Canberra locals, including DJ Songz, Reload resident DJ Black Temple, GhostNoises, Tori Chard and Will Campbell.

Friday night will transform the humble lane into a soulful ’80s and ’90s hangout, while Saturday will get a bit bigger, with dance-friendly genres disco, house and electronica taking over the space. Get in early evening for a more relaxed atmosphere with live acts and acoustic artists, and as the night kicks on, expect to kick up your heels and dance. There’ll be less need to kick on to the clubs too, as this is the first event of its kind to be licensed until 3 am.

Tickets are available through the Loaded Laneway website. One-night VIP experiences including access to the performers, free priority entry to Reload Bar & Games and Treehouse Bar, with entry to Maple Bar and drink on arrival are also available.

This is an 18+ only event.

the essentials 

What: Loaded Laneway
When: Friday 13 April & Saturday 14 April from 6pm–3am
Where: Verity Lane, Sydney Building, Canberra City
Check out the website for more information or purchase tickets through Eventbrite