Now in its third year, the Essential Festival is set to return to Sydney – and debut in Melbourne – this April.

The event focuses on the “next wave” of Aussie talents, with previous drawcards including Midnight Juggernauts, Dappled Cities, Children Collide and other hot young things. In 2008, the headliner is Regurgitator – not the newest kids on the blocks, but certainly some of the most inspired. With a new album Love & Paranoia to draw from, the – œGurge will be rocking Sydney and Melbourne like only they know how.

Also on board is Brooklyn electronica act Rat A Tat, plus New Zealand’s The Shocking Pinks, Grafton Primary, Dardanelles, The Devoted Few,The E.L.F (Darren from Gerling), Gaslight Radio, The John Steel Singers,The Seabellies, The Silents and Reptiles. Essential indeed.

The Sydney show takes over three venues – The Gaelic Theatre, Four Provinces (upstairs at the Gaelic) and the Madison Hotel in Devonshire Street. In Melbourne, Essential will make its debut at The Espy Hotel.

Tickets go on sale 10 March.

Thu 24 Apr – Essential 08 – The Espy Hotel – St Kilda Vic
Fri 25 Apr – Essential 08 – The Gaelic Theatre – The Gaelic Club & Madison Hotel – Sydney