Description
The wonderful folk in Newstead will welcome you
by Kelly Skinner
TN167 Dec 24
Newstead Live Music Festival is a small festival in a small town in Central Victoria.
The festival is run in a number of venues in the township, mostly within walking distance, but a shuttle bus runs from morning to midnight to get you where you want to go.
The musical offering is varied, ranging from the regular favorites like Enda Kenny and Greg Champion, to new sensations like Bush Gothic and new discoveries like Sam Fletcher.
For something borrowed we have Steve Turner from the UK and The Pairs from Canada.
In 2025, we are featuring three themed presentations that look back to the history of folk and roots music.
The first of those is Pioneers, where Keith McKenry and friends pay tribute to our pioneering field collectors of the 40s, 50s and 60s.
The second is Immortal where Bruce Watson presents and leads discussion on his video project celebrating Australia’s folk legends from the Folk Revival of the 50s and 60s up to today.
Expect to see some special guests on stage with him.
The third presentation will be Sweet Harmonies of the 70s.
Here, Greg Champion, Jane Saunders and Margie Russell showcase the songs of Bonnie Rait, Linda Rondstadt, Emmy-Lou Harris and others of that era.
We have doubled the number of workshops and this year that includes two workshops on English step dancing with Coral Reid.
The Makers Gallery features instrument makers on display in the Newstead Arts Hub Gallery at the old railway station, with Made & Played on the Platform, where selected performers showcase the instruments of one of the makers.
The Live’n’Local stage in the street is a favourite, featuring acts not appearing on the main bill, the emphasis being on local artists, especially the young up and coming.
The Troubadour tent will be there with Andrew Pattison at the helm and his Burke & Wills wines available at the bar.
There’s a lot to pack in to the 3 days and 3 nights of this beautiful little festival.
The wonderful folk in this tiny town welcome you!
Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue at Newstead
by Kelly Skinner
TN158 P31
The appeal of a folk festival may start with the performers, but it goes far beyond that.
When you come to Newstead Live, on January 25-28, you feel welcome to Newstead!
The centre of Newstead, in country Victoria, its footy ground, Dig café, The Crown Hotel, The Country Store, the swimming pool and a chunk of the side street are all ready to welcome the hundreds of people who come to town.
There is plenty of opportunity to catch up with every act as all forty acts have 3 or 4 sets over the duration, playing at a different venue each time.
So, there’s plenty of time to catch up with old friends, make new festival friends, join in the sessions, play at a blackboard concert and enjoy some of the delicious food and yummy coffees available.
The core of the festival is the performers, and at Newstead Live, we curate the acts to appeal to a variety of folk, and to give them a range of experiences.
I like to think of it as something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.
For 2024, we have a few favorites, like Greg Champion and Dingo’s Breakfast.
For something new, we have Austral, the young Celtic band from Melbourne, and Apolline, the most talked about newcomers to the festival in 2023.
Also new are some fresh acts on the scene waiting for you to discover.
We have borrowed acts from the UK, look out for Good Habits and Winter Wilson.
Also borrowed is Tio from Vanuatu, an energetic and charismatic singer in his own language.
For something blue, the tried and true JoJo Smith will bring you her mixture of blues, sole, funk, R&B, Latin and jazz.
Look out also for some roving and street performers, Red Raven Morris and the Woodend Warblers.
Bring your instruments and your voice, don’t forget to bring your togs for a dip in the pool, and be assured we have air-conditioning and misters in place to keep you cool for our midsummer festival.
A weekend ticket is only $150, that’s about $3.75 per act!
What value!
Get yours now at www.newsteadlive.com.au
