THE final line-up for Storyland, a new full festival experience of music, art, and story in Coffs Harbour, has just been announced with Genesis Owusu joining co-headliner double-Grammy nominated jazz-soul giants Hiatus Kaiyote, who will perform fresh from their set at Coachella.

Storyland takes place on May 20 at Park Beach Reserve, Gumbaynggirr Country, Coffs Harbour.

“Storyland exists to tickle that curiosity in us, it’s about expression and art and the good things in life. It’s a celebration of creativity,” Festival Director Dave Horsley said.

It’s an electric, eclectic ride on Storyland’s Main Stage with Genesis Owusu, Hiatus Kaiyote, Ngaiire, Emma Donovan, and Horns of Leroy joined by two new artists – powerhouse First Nations dance party duo Electric Fields join the line-up along with K+LAB, back from his North American tour, with his larger-than-life big bass and breaks set.

As an exponentially rising artist on a global scale, Genesis Owusu has defied genre and style to keep the limelight burning following the release of his debut album, Smiling With No Teeth in March 2021, winning Triple J’s Album Of The Year and four ARIA Awards, also including Album Of The Year.

Storyland’s DJ tent, The Yurt Locker, curated by programmer Coco Varma, has had a cavalcade of female dance aficionados added to the bill.

Headlining The Yurt Locker will be self-styled all-girl, sleazy bass, DJ collective The Clitoverse, complete with pole dancers Filthy Aliens and a big dancey can’t-stop-movin’ beat from Sophdexx & Themzy that will quickly remind you why Storyland is an eighteen-plus event.

Disco-funk specialist DJ Jemka also joins the line-up, alongside Resin Dogs resident beatsmaster DJ Katch.

These new dance artists join Papa Boom, Ice G, reggae-dub MC Fitzroy Lee, and the Godfather of UK’s ethno funk scene, Coco Varma – all with projection mapping and visuals by VJ Fluxa.

Music isn’t the only thing on the menu at Storyland.

Throughout the festival are large scale, film-inspired art installations.

Animated by Caleb Cowie, and written by Storyland’s Creative Directors, Zakpage, festival-goers will experience a signature Storyland narrative backbone that plays out over three chapters across the day and night.

Zakpage describes Storyland as “a place where you can run around with your mates and immerse yourself in your love of movies, music, food and partying”.

Zakpage have also created Gladerunner, a neo-noir cyberpunk experience. Imagine a theatrical, dramatic art installation drenched in themes from sci-fi film classics.

Production Designer Sarah Stollman has designed [Movie] Trailer Park, an art installation, decking out three full-sized caravans with film-themed versus battle motifs, located throughout the Food Village.

“Storyland is made by a huge collaboration of local Coffs Coast creatives,” said Festival Director Dave Horsley.

“We welcome everyone to enjoy something very special, two years in the making.”

Storyland is an eighteen-plus adults only event.

For tickets and festival info, go to www.slmf.com.au.

Storyland is supported by the Australian Federal Government’s RISE Fund, Create NSW, NSW’s Regional Event Acceleration Fund, and Regional Arts NSW.