Malta’s biggest non-mainstream festival turns 10 this year, and Earth Garden organisers say they are hard at work to ensure the three-day event is bigger, better and more diverse than ever before.
The June 3 to 5 event will transform Ta’ Qali National Park into a sea of colour, music and tents, with a 22-metre wide Roots stage more than twice the size of last year’s offering taking over where the park’s Greek Theatre used to stand. Over 20,000 people are expected to attend.
Organisers say they have sought to strike a balance between local talent and international artists, with homegrown favourites Brikkuni, Tribali and Etnika lining up alongside Neville Staple, Nicky Bomba & Malta Ska Orchestra and Tape Five.
The Roots Stage’s size and diversity – expect to hear folk, reggae, ska, world music and electro swing - is expected to attract “an even larger international audience,” said organising team member Howard Keith.
Founder member Reuben Spiteri took time to honour the memory of Earth Garden founder Desmond Vella, who passed away in 2009. “It was hard on all of us, but it would have been a dishonour not to organise the festival our friend loved so much,” he said.
Festival-goers keen to have a boogie will be spoilt for choice: Neville Staple brings with him a 35-year career in Ska, while Tape Five are credited with reviving Swing and Electro-Swing, marrying the genres with hints of Bossanova, NuJazz and Tango. Nicky Bomba – a familiar face for Earth Garden fans – will be back, but this time he’ll be bringing his 12-piece Ska Orchestra with him.
Those looking for a more relaxed time will be able to chill out at the festival’s Jamming Area, buy handcrafts at the Ethnic Market, get creative in Art Square, entertain their children at the kid’s area or find spiritual sustenance at the various workshops and healing area events.
Last year’s Earth Garden saved almost 4000kg of waste, and organisers say they want this year’s event to go beyond that target.
Tickets for this year’s 10th year anniversary Earth Garden are now available and cost €15 for a 3-day pass. Tickets can be bought online or from the following outlets; Gozo: Cafe Jubilee and Mojos – Rabat; Malta: Cafe Jubilee – Gzira and Valletta, Paper Clips – Msida, Saqqajja Kiosk – Rabat, Pitstop – Xemxija, Zion – M’Scala, Why Not? and Juuls Bar – St. Julian’s. 1-day pass ticket at €10 each will be available online only until 15th May.
Children under 12 accompanied by an adult can enter for free. The final batch of tickets for the Camping Site will be out for sale in the first week of May.
For more information, contact the Earth Garden Info line on 79948529 or visit the festival’s website.