:: Bacardi Express 2010

By: Carmine Pascuzzi

All aboard the BACARDI EXPRESS! Following two epic tours and a huge headline performance from Groove Armada in 2009, Australia’s only music festival on rails is back with UK electro-pop phenomenon La Roux announced as the headline act for 2010 with the remaining line up to be announced in January 2010.

Now a firm fixture on the Australian festival calendar, the iconic BACARDI EXPRESS will head for the tropical climate of Queensland for the first time, taking in a new route along the East Coast tracks from Brisbane to Sydney. From Thursday March 25 – Saturday March 27 2010, La Roux will join four other bands on their 48 hour rock ‘n’ roll rail trip of a lifetime, stopping off along the way to play a series of free concerts in Brisbane, Coffs Harbour, Newcastle and Sydney.

BACARDI EXPRESS headliners La Roux, aka Elly Jackson and Ben Langmaid, are the electro-pop duo responsible for UK and ARIA chart topping singles “In For The Kill” and “Bulletproof”. Taking inspiration from such music royalty as Depeche Mode and Prince, La Roux have been dazzling audiences and winning hearts with a unique sound that also tips a hat to new school heroes such as The Knife and Chromeo.

”My band and I can’t wait to jump aboard the BACARDI EXPRESS.” Elly Jackson AKA La Roux said. “Four other Australian bands joining us on a train for 48 hours - it’s going to be a journey to remember!”

The train itself will see 97 fans, bands and crew jammed into fifteen carriages as it travels down the Eastern Seaboard. On board entertainment caters for the most talented musicians in the jam carriage, as well as budding guitar heroes in the gaming lounge. This year’s tour also features a “Made to Mix” carriage - Here BACARDI EXPRESS artists will be spinning tunes as expert bartenders serve everyday classics like BACARDI, cola & fresh lime and the Original BACARDI Mojito.

Since its inception in 2008, BACARDI EXPRESS has seen a plethora of International and Aussie musicians grace its carriages. Artists include Scribe (NZ), Faker, PNAU, Bumblebeez and Bang Gang DJs (2008); Groove Armada, British India, Bluejuice, Van She, Lost Valentinos, HOOPS DJs and Beardyman (2009). The route has also changed each year, ensuring that as many people as possible get to join in the fun and experience the BACARDI EXPRESS concerts.

“Mixing travel, live music and good times has long been a BACARDI tradition. Back in the 1920’s, the Bacardi family would invite top Cuban musicians to ride in the back of their convertibles and drive around Havana igniting impromptu street parties.” says Fernando Navarro, Senior Brand Manager at BACARDI. “Continuing this live music spirit with the BACARDI EXPRESS, we can’t wait to welcome La Roux onboard in 2010.”

For information on how to join La Roux on board the BACARDI EXPRESS click here or purchase specially marked packs of BACARDI & COLA or BACARDI SUPERIOR.

*Concert tickets to the BACARDI EXPRESS concerts are limited. Although free, they can only be won through registering here from January 10, 2010 (over 18s only).

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**Update as at February 3, 2010**

Australia’s only music festival on a train, The BACARDI EXPRESS, is going OFF THE RAILS for the first time in 2010 by announcing a series of exclusive sideshows with everybody’s favourite party starters Art vs Science. The BACARDI EXPRESS: OFF THE RAILS concerts are a treat for lucky punters in Perth, Adelaide and Albury before the touring party jet off to Brisbane to join the BACARDI EXPRESS train.

BACARDI EXPRESS is looking for an up and coming DJ to support Art vs Science on the OFF THE RAILS tour. “We here at Art vs Science are looking forward to playing the OFF THE RAILS shows as part of the BACARDI EXPRESS train tour” said Art vs Science. “People of Perth, Adelaide and Albury, you all seem like fine people. Come along and join the party. We will be handpicking the support DJ if you need another reason to come.”

The BACARDI EXPRESS is a unique tour on rails, with headliner La Roux jumping aboard in 2010 to join Art vs Science, Yves Klein Blue, Miami Horror, Cassette Kids and Sampology. The train itself is a bespoke fifteen carriage locomotive filled with onboard entertainment, including a jamming carriage and gaming lounge, that travels down the Eastern Seaboard from Brisbane to Sydney via Coffs Harbour and Newcastle, stopping off along the way to play a series of free* concerts.

If you are not in town for one of the BACARDI EXPRESS events, getting to see Art vs Science at the OFF THE RAILS sideshows couldn’t be easier! Over 18s simply head along to the venues below during February and purchase a BACARDI with cola, dry, cranberry or lemonade & a twist of fresh lime for your chance to win tickets and merchandise.

Mark the OFF THE RAILS gigs in your calendar now!

Perth – Paddington Ale House - Thursday, March 11
Adelaide – Live - Friday, March 12
Albury – Paddy’s - Saturday, March 13

BACARDI EXPRESS, OFF THE RAILS sideshow concerts and In The Mix DJ competition are over 18s only.

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**Update as at March 22, 2010**

The countdown to BACARDI EXPRESS is on and there is less than a week away from departing for the ride of the year! Having already clocked up an impressive 9,000 kilometres round journey taking Art vs Science to Perth, Adelaide and Albury for the Off The Rails full capacity shows, the train is nearly ready to depart!

**Ticket registration to the four concerts is now closed**

Last chance tickets are being given away on the day of each concert - the ONLY way for people to get their hands on the last of these sought after passes is to join the BACARDI EXPRESS Facebook page.

Don’t miss the chance to see La Roux, Art vs Science, Yves Klein Blue, Miami Horror, Cassette Kids and Sampology in the hottest line up of the year! The BACARDI EXPRESS, Australia’s only festival on rails, will transport 97 bands, fans and crew down the Eastern Seaboard from Brisbane to Sydney, stopping off along the way to play concerts in Brisbane, Coffs Harbour, Newcastle and Sydney between March 25-27.

The whole journey is being filmed for a one off, fly-on-wall documentary so people need to switch to MTV from May to witness the mayhem.

Concert Details:

Brisbane – The Tivoli, Thursday March 25 2010, 7.00pm
Coffs Harbour – Club Coffs, Friday, March 26 2010, 7.00pm
Newcastle – Panthers, Saturday March 27 2010, 12.00noon
Sydney – Big Top @ Luna Park, Saturday March 27 2010, 7.30pm