Âme and Robert Babicz named for Maitreya

Australia's Maitreya festival turns ten this March and Âme (pictured) and Robert Babicz have been revealed as the first artists playing.

Promoters have been promising the best event yet to celebrate the anniversary, but are keeping the line-up under wraps until festival-goers arrive. However, tour dates just announced for the German dons include sets at the northern Victorian festival on the Sunday and Monday. The event, held deep in the Australian bush, is due to return to last year's Wooroonook Lakes site from March 11-14. But last week the local Buloke Shire council and Parks Victoria rejected the festival's permit application, claiming the event had not provided necessary documentation.

Organisers say they have a lease of the site and insist Maitreya will be going ahead. The matter is currently before the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal. The drought-affected local community is also counting on the festival taking place. Last year, Maitreya provided local businesses and sporting clubs with a much needed boost via through traffic and an on-site community barbecue. Support from the mainstream media has helped the cause since the council's announcement. Let's hope Maitreya can return to Wooroonook next month.

Maitreya is due to take place at Wooroonook Lakes from March 11-14, 2016. For tickets and more information, head here.

Full Âme and Robert Babicz Australian tour dates below.

Âme (Frank Wiedemann live):
4/3 - Brown Alley, Melbourne
6/3 - Oh Hello, Brisbane
12/3 - Days Like This @ Greenwood, Sydney
13/3 - Maitreya Festival, Victoria

Robert Babicz:
11/3 - Digress, Canberra
12/3 - Lets Get Minimal @ Sway Club, Brisbane
13/3 - S.A.S.H, Sydney
14/3 - Maitreya Festival, VIC

Scott Carbines is Mixmag's Australian Online News Editor, follow him on Twitter.