Humble beginnings but big ambition

Summer in Geraldton is about to get a lot hotter when mini-festival In The Midst 2016 hits town on Tuesday, December 27.

Revellers will be able to dance their post-Christmas blues away as Triple J’s KLP, Gold Coast-based Paces and the mysterious Running Touch roll into town.

While each DJ will play their own set, Geraldton Hotel events manager Jason Bertelsen said the crowd would be treated to live collaborations.

“The cool thing about these three is both KLP and Running Touch can sing several of Paces’ songs,” he said.

“You’re going to get a little more out of it because they’re going to play several of his songs live.

“It really adds to the live performance and you get more bang out of your buck.”

In the Midst is the newest venture by Bertelsen, who noticed Geraldton was missing its own music festival.

Noticing the positive reactions from Geraldton residents and visitors after Triple J’s One Night Stand in April, Bertelsen said he wanted to make Geraldton a destination on any music-lover’s map.

“Everywhere’s got its own unique festival and name for that area,” he said. “We want In the Midst to be a big event for the town that could, in the future, cater for the younger generation.

“We need something that will bring people to the town, which benefits the entire city because those people go out to lunch, pay for accommodation and so on.

“It helps drive Geraldton and we’re not going to go anywhere if we don’t strive forward.”

In the Midst 2016 is on December 27 at the Geraldton Hotel.

For more information on the festival, visit the In The Midst Facebook page.