By Thomas Henry
Copyright news
Knockout Outdoor, touted as the “largest harder style festival in the southern hemisphere” returned to Sydney Olympic Park to a sold-out crowd on Saturday afternoon.
Festival goers were spotted matching the “Return of the Circuz” theme, some sporting red noses as they geared up for the nine hour festival featuring more than 40 acts.
The event has come back with a big change this year, with the NSW government last month confirming the festival would be included in the state’s 12 month pill testing trial.
A man in his 20s died and three others were hospitalised following last year’s event, while two people died after attending the festival in October 2023.
Knockout is the fourth NSW event to introduce pill testing as part of the trial which is slated to include 12 festivals through to the end of February next year, when the trial will be independently evaluated.
Knockout Outdoor organisers said the move was an “important step forward in harm reduction”.
“We are committed to creating the safest possible environment for everyone who attends our events,” they said.
“Drug checking is an important step forward in harm reduction, giving patrons access to free, professional advice that can help them make more informed decisions.
“Partnering with NSW Health on this initiative reflects our ongoing focus on safety, care, and wellbeing for our community.”
Chief health officer Kerry Chant said the service was anonymous and aims to “keep people safe”.
“This trial aims to inform individuals about substances, allowing them to avoid dangerous substances, discard high-risk drugs, make safer and more informed choices and potentially avoid serious health risks,” she said.
“Our priority is to reduce harm and keep people safe.”
Ravers from across the country piled into Sydney Olympic Park on Saturday, eager for doors to open at 2pm to kick off the nine hour festival.
The 60,000 tickets sold out in just hours, with more than 40 acts set to play across three separate stages from the afternoon into the evening.