Top acts growing for Illawarra’s own music event

One of the world’s hottest DJs, Hook ‘n’ Sling, and Australian hip-hop sensation Phrase have joined the line-up for the Illawarra’s own outdoor summer music event, Play Day.

Hook ‘n’ Sling’s popularity on the international DJ circuit continues to skyrocket.

Dance floors were knocked flat with the release of his chart-topping remix of Sarah McLeod’s He Doesn’t Love You; he pumped up the opening party for We Love Sundays at Space in Ibiza. He also took his energetic sound to North America, the UK and China.

Hook ‘n’ Sling (aka Anthony Maniscalco) also raked in a coveted ARIA nomination for his track The Bump and was placed among the top five producers for inthemix – Australia’s biggest and most well-regarded dance music awards as voted by the public.

Hook ‘n’ Sling has continued his rise this year towards global domination with his single The Best Thing 2008 (which spent nine weeks at the top of the Australian club charts and peaked at No 26 on the national charts), getting an international release by Cr2 for UK/Europe, We Play for Germany and Ministry of Sound America.

“The Illawarra knows how to party and it’s great to be able to DJ at an outdoor event like Play Day,” Hook ‘n’ Sling said.

Clockwork is the first single from Phrase’s highly anticipated second album, Burn It Down, which was produced by ARIA nominee Jan Skubiszewski, of Jackson Jackson fame.

The album features collaborations with some stalwarts of the Australian music scene including Kram, Wendy Matthews, The Cat Empire’s Harry Angus and Bliss N Eso.

Phrase will be supported by his five-piece band at Play Day, featuring DJ Flagrant on decks and Jan Skubiszewski on guitar.

“I’m looking forward to performing with my band at Play Day,” Phrase said.

“I’ve just started touring with the band, as my new album really lends itself to being translated that way at a show. It’s a lot more fun for me because I’m playing with some friends now on stage instead of just standing there by myself!”

Play Day comes to life at WIN Stadium on Saturday, November 21.

It will be an all-ages event. Tickets will be on sale through Ticketek from Wednesday, July 29.

Event information is available from www.playdayfest.com and on Facebook. Additional acts will be announced over the coming weeks.

Southern Independent Publishers, which produces the Kiama Independent, is an official media partner for Play Day.