Dashville Skyline Going BIG for 10th Anniversary
It’s almost upon us, Dashville Skyline, Australia’s very own Cosmic Country odyssey, otherwise known as a folk’ n good country music festival, celebrating a monumental 10th anniversary this October Long Weekend.
Held amongst the gum trees of Dashville at Lower Belford, the pleasant 3-day camping festival, which kicks off Thursday, 3 October and rolls through to Sunday night, 6 October, has an enviable reputation as one of the finest, family-friendly, live music experiences on the planet. So you could say we are pretty fortunate to have it here at home in the Hunter Valley! Over the last ten years, this festival has been providing an incredible discovery of emerging musical talent wrapped up with some of the world's greatest.
In 2024, the festival turns ten years old. So it’s a huge program, boasting over 40 live performances across three stages, including top-billing Aussie acts such as Ross Wilson, Kingswood, Ella Hooper, Shane Howard, Emma Donovan, William Crighton, 19 Twenty and a couple of exceptional overseas acts like Hurray For The Riff Raff, Rose City Band, Grace Petrie, Uncle Lucius and even a Buck Owens tribute band called Buck n Stuff.
This is more than your standard country music festival. Dashville Skyline is a well orchestrated musical feast that casually meanders its way across a vast open country landscape, with a sky above full of stars and songs and every step below another rabbit hole. You can opt to roll into the campground for one, two, three or four days. It's a short stroll into the arena, and the festival is incredibly accessible for anyone with special needs (thanks to a recent accessibility grant from the NSW Government).
While there’s always going to be plenty of great on-stage action, there’s also lots of opportunity for the audience to get involved in the activities, with two-step dance classes, open mic and blackboard sessions, poetry slams, songwriter in the rounds and on-stage collaborations, many of which feature special guests not officially playing the festival. There’s also lots of stuff for the kiddies to do, too, with a whole play area and planned activities throughout the days.
“Many people have discovered Dashville as an easy option when looking to return to attending festivals. Our older (and wiser) attendees often tell us that the festival feels a bit like a mini Woodstock… or maybe Sunbury or any of those culture festivals from back in the late 60s and 70s. I take that as a huge compliment!” says organiser Matt Johnston.
Considered a supreme festival experience, Dashville Skyline is a festival run by musicians. It has become a favourite for music purists out there and anyone looking to discover their next favourite band. A favourite for young families looking to get back into an easy camping festival adventure and for those who like their music a bit more laid back, perhaps a bit of cool oozed over their country or feel in their folk. The small music-loving community at
Dashville has no slouches. Next year their other festival, The Gum Ball, turns 20 years old, so they have been chipping away for many years, eloquently and independently showcasing some of the best in Australian music for nearly two decades. Always doing things in their own special way, offering up a magical space to enjoy well-considered festival programs, full to the brim with heart and soul performances from across the country and the world, and this year's Dashville Skyline celebration is no exception!
The festival’s name derives from that of Bob Dylan’s 1968 release Nashville Skyline, which lends an impression of the vibe of this festival. It’s a celebration of alternative country, its birth in America during the ‘60s-‘70s, the culture surrounding the music and the evolution that continues to inspire modern-day songwriters. One of the main spectacles of the festival is the immensely popular Sunset Super Round. On Saturday and Sunday at nightfall, artists on the bill merge around the main stage in spontaneous collaboration to pay homage to their favourite songs of the “golden era”.
For more info and tickets for Dashville Skyline 2024, please visit the Dashville website at www.dashville.com.au.
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