IN PICTURES: Inaugural Middies Festival sees hundreds brave stormy skies for frenetic musical line-up

Appreciation for Albany’s first beachside music festival at the weekend proved emphatic from attendees and organisers alike, with the latter saying they cannot wait to return for a sophomore event next year. Middies Festival 2026 drew 1000 revellers to the grass beside Middleton Beach on Saturday, none deterred by the cloudy skies and stiff breeze blowing off the southern ocean, to watch the stylings of Beddy Rays, Lazy Haze and Ruby Hoo among others. Event co-organiser Santino Pietropaolo said he and his fellow co-organisers, Sanjay Danapala and Robert Forgione, were thrilled by the success of the inaugural event. “The event exceeded all expectations and was an outstanding success,” he said. “The Albany community truly embraced the night, and we’re incredibly grateful for the local support that helped bring our vision to life. “What started as a bold idea to create a beachside music event on Albany’s shoreline turned into a sold-out crowd and an electric atmosphere. “I was so happy to see everyone having a safe, enjoyable night embracing the atmosphere in the moment. “The response has been overwhelming, and we’re excited to bring Middies Festival back in 2027.”