Caltowie COFU – The tiny Mid North Town punching well above its Weight
Pack the camp chairs, round up your mates and point the car towards Caltowie — because this tiny Mid North town is about to throw one of the biggest parties on the regional events calendar.
Caltowie’s Chilled Out ‘n’ Fired Up Festival (COFU) returns on Saturday March 21, with Aussie rock heavyweights Gyroscope headlining a massive day of live music, food and brews.
For one day each March, music lovers, families and road-trippers roll into town for a festival that punches well above its weight.
If you’ve never been before, this is the year to hit up Caltowie.
Big Bands and Caltowie Skies
Leading the charge are Gyroscope, one of Australia’s most loved rock bands, bringing their unmistakable sound and decades of festival experience to the COFU stage.
Frontman Dan Sanders says country festivals have their own unique energy.
“Our festival sets in beautiful country locations tend to have more of a chilled, relaxed feel than an inner-city gig,” he said.
“Expect us to be playing some riffs at yas and whatnot! Festivals are all about that shared moment, so we’re keen to get the whole COFU crowd having a great time. See you on the paddock.”
And Gyroscope are just one of the many acts taking to the stage.
This year’s stacked line-up also includes crowd favourites Dojo Rise, festival-energy rockers Loose Change, funk legends Funk Me, indie pop act Destinezia, riff-fuelled chaos from The Shadow Ministers, live-looping powerhouse Witch Hunt, and high-energy sets from 19-Twenty, The Fuss and Surviving Sharks.
Comedian Marc Ryan – The Beautiful Bogan will also be bringing plenty of laughs to the lineup.
If you want a sneak preview, there’s even an official COFU Spotify playlist to get you festival-ready.
More Than Just a Music Festival
Ask anyone who’s been before and they’ll tell you – COFU is about far more than the music.
It’s mates catching up over a cold drink. Kids running barefoot between food vans. Camp chairs scattered across the grass. Locals volunteering behind the scenes. And live music echoing across the Mid North as the sun sets.
No country festival is complete without a good spread of food and drinks – and COFU has plenty of both.
Returning favourites include Laura’s Little Blessings Brewery pouring their much-loved holy ales alongside brews from Union Bridge Brewery and Distillery and Watsacowie Brewing Company.
If wine is more your style, Ben Murray Wines will have boutique Barossa drops ready to pour.
Meanwhile Bars Brews and Coolrooms will be mixing things up with Chubby Unicorn hard lemonade on tap, along with frozen cocktails, fresh cocktails and mocktails.
And the food lineup is worth the drive alone.
Festival-goers can tuck into smoky barbecue goodness from Smokin’ Grillers, fresh seafood from Captain Calamari, Asian street eats from Asian Tucker, and crowd-favourite Fat Crust Pizza.
There’s also coffee, smoothies and iced drinks from Love You A Latte — and of course Lions Donuts, which are worth the road trip all on their own.
Caltowie – A Small town with a Big Heart
What began as a grassroots idea has grown into a much-loved Mid North event that now draws visitors from across South Australia.
Along the way, COFU has also become a platform for raising funds and awareness for mental health – giving the festival a purpose that goes well beyond the stage.
Caltowie is a two and a half hour drive north of Adelaide, a 10 minute drive from Jamestown and 45 minutes from Port Pirie. You can roll into the free camp site with a caravan, tent or swag and stay both Friday and Saturday night.
Tickets are flying out the door, so grab yours now.
Caltowie Chilled Out ‘n’ Fired Up Festival
WHEN: Saturday March 21
WHERE: Caltowie Memorial Oval (14kms west of Jamestown)
TICKETS & INFO: Click Here
