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A magical weekend of community and connection by Phaedra Watts TN166 Oct 24 The much loved Nannup Music Festival presents an eclectic mix of live acts over Western Australia’s March long weekend each year, set to the stunning bush backdrop of Western Australia’s South West and the small town atmosphere of Nannup. The community-spirited event, produced by a dedicated team of staff and volunteer Committee from the nonprofit Nannup Music Club Inc, has been running since 1990 and has consistently proven to be one of the most anticipated events in Western Australia’s music calendar. Over its long course, it has created life lasting memories for multiple generations and earned an acclaimed reputation among national and international performers. The festival highlights the best in new, emerging and Indigenous music over free and ticketed venues and offers workshops, talks, poetry, camping, kid’s activities, food and artisan markets where you’re invited to share, immerse and discover in the “Nannup bubble”. It is a special place to share a festival experience and authentic good times with family and friends, a colourful celebration of music and community. The program is diverse, which provides something for all music lovers, whether young or old, into loud or intimate, to dance to or lay in the sunshine and dream with. Nannup is part of Nyoongar Boodjar lands with the town situated on the lands of the Bibbulmun people, with the north side of the Blackwood river (Bilyar Goorbillyup) becoming Wardandi country. The festival takes place during Bunuru – Second summer (season of the adolescence). We love, honour and cherish this place and we trust that it will be respected and nurtured far into the future. It’s a ‘Weekend of Discovery’ where thousands gather to share in a warm and friendly weekend in the beautiful town of Nannup. We are proud to offer our 3 annual awards: ‘Nannup Emerging Artists Award’ where each year ten artists are selected from our lineup to take part. They are asked to perform two original songs to a supportive audience and go in the running for recording time with two of WA’s finest, Lee Buddle at Crank Recording and James Newhouse from Lamb Chop. Watching the growth of these Emerging Artists is something very precious. Our Festival Director’s Award is an acknowledgement to a WA artist who we believe has been outstanding in some way, through their music, their teachings or their contributions. Our values are to create, connect and strengthen community through music and the arts, to encourage and promote emerging and Indigenous artists, to drive local economic activity and support regional liveability through cultural tourism, and, to respect the environment and work towards minimising our impact, while learning and educating where we can. Our Festival brings together people of different ages and backgrounds and we love watching them connect, share and discover in our small town setting in the Bush. We believe in and respect diversity. Everyone is welcome at our Festival! We endeavour to support the local community and we’re proud to play a big part in the economic and social viability of our beautiful region. Two major passions for the festival are the encouragement of and belief in emerging and indigenous artists. Our Festival has a strong connection with indigenous music and our Emerging Artist Award is a fantastic part of our event, offering growth and experience for the artists. We endeavour to grow with and nurture the wider evolving artistic community and we’re proud to support its exposure. Mental health, in all its aspects, sexual, spiritual, emotional, has an impact on our daily lives. Our program includes workshops that create a safe space for people to talk about it, share their experiences and realise that they’re not alone. Together we can strengthen each other and dissolve some of the stigmas that hold us back. The festival engages directly with the challenge of environmental sustainability through its Green Steps initiative. We maintain a commitment to minimising the festival’s environmental impact and creating opportunities to raise awareness on environmental issues. Our aim is to take a few green steps each year and eventually put the festival at the forefront of environmentally friendly event management. Our venues and activities allow families to participate in all aspects of the festival. Part of the beauty of our event is the fact that young people feel safe and welcome to immerse in and share experiences throughout the Festival site. Our little festival goers can also enjoy our free ‘Playground’ venue, filled with special activities just for them. Join us, from February 28 to March 3, 2025, for our 36th festival. It’s a magical weekend of community and connection. |
