Since it began in 2004, the boutique festival has been held in Caledonian Lane in Melbourne's CBD.

As the festival outgrew its tight confines, organisers were pushed to find a new venue.

Festival co-ordinator Bonnie Dalton says that after the 2009 event was besieged by infrastructure problems, security complaints and timetable clashes, organisers scoured Melbourne for a new site and decided on the Footscray Community Arts Centre. "It allows us to run the event we want to run but also showcases what's going on in Footscray."

The idea came from festival co-promoter Danny Rogers, who fell in love with the art centre's riverside location after he saw a show there last year.

He said he was confident festival-goers would still attend despite the move outside Melbourne's CBD. "[Footscray] is one of the most interesting parts of Australia, in my opinion. It has so much history, amazing culture, and this part where we are [at the arts centre] is so close to the city yet so untouched."

High-profile acts such as Echo and the Bunny Men, Sarah Blasko and Eddie Current Suppression Ring will be spread across three stages: the main stage at one end of a closed Moreland Street, a stage on the lawn behind the arts centre, and one in a car park off Maribyrnong Street.

Ms Dalton said each stage area would have its own bar, food stalls and amenities "so people can either stay happily ensconced in one area or move around and see bands all over the place."

Bunbury Street will be turned into a pedestrian thoroughfare to create better access.

St Jerome's Laneway Festival is held in capital cities across Australia and in New Zealand. The Melbourne version is on January 30, noon-10pm. All affected residents will receive passes to attend the show. Details: visit www.lanewayfestival.com.au or email questions to melresident@lanewayfestival.com.a u