It’s been a huge long weekend for music and festivals in the Hunter, and we have only just come up for air after a cosmic weekend at Dashville Skyline.
This year’s Cosmic Country Weekender blew us away with its incredible line-up of artists, both new and established, and trailblazers in the Australian music scene, sharing their love for music and connection.
Dashville Skyline is one of the country’s best-kept secrets and we want you all to know about it, and here’s why.
The lineups are awesome
Kudos to Magpie and the crew for yet another stellar line-up at the October Dashville Skyline.
There is art in curating a list of talent that enhances the audience experience of an event, and introduces new artists to keen punters, rather than just rolling out the safe options of only the tried and true or popular artists of the day.
Kicking off on Friday afternoon, the lineup got your toes tapping and punters either up and grooving or moving in their seats, with standouts including Cahill Kelly and the smooth harmonies and saxophone of the sextet – Steel Wheels.
Skyscraper Stan and the Commission Flats got the crowd dancing and brought the party, with the fun vibes continuing thanks to Caitlin Harnett and the Pony Boys, who always bring such a great show and were perfectly placed in the Friday line-up, getting everyone nice and loose and limbered up, before being blown away by the old skool rock energy and presence of Melbourne artist and crowd favourite, Grace Cummings, and the smooth sounds of Thornbird.
But the winner of Friday night was Dashville favourite William Crighton and his band, who have just returned home to the Hunter after touring Europe supporting Midnight Oil, and introducing the European festival scene to their intense stage presence, consummate musicianship and immersive storytelling.
Once again, the Dashville crowd was taken on a special journey by William and his family band, the destination being a place that left everyone excited for another day of Dashville.
Saturday’s line-up included a welcome wake-up delivered by Watty Thompson and his band, with big sounds and thought-provoking lyrics that captured the soul and warmed the heart. Watty’s like a grungy, modern Australian bush balladeer. For those who missed it, Watty Thompson is playing the Junkyard at Maitland this Sunday, 9 October 9, you should definitely check him out.
Anna Weatherup and local outfit The Tall Stories got the crowd through to the afternoon, with the sun shining as Sue Ray and New Zealand trio Albi and the Wolves picked up the party vibes, before an incredible Sunset Session, when any musician on the line-up can come out and wow the crowd with a cover of their choice. The all-in cover of Daddy Cool’s Eagle Rock was a highlight.
The soulful and bluesy sounds of Sweet Talk were incredible and captured the crowd who danced and raved, setting the scene for yet another romp of a performance by the ‘King of Dashville’ – Henry Wagons.
Described by one punter ‘as a mix of Keith Richards and Tim Rogers’ from You Am I, Wagons high-kicked his way into the hearts of the Dashville crowd, setting the scene for a solid set by Frazey Ford, and building excitement for an uplifting performance by Andy Golledge and his crew.
Andy has a reputation for bringing the party, alongside his talent for songwriting, and sweet, sweet vocals. When you want to end the night on a high, you make Andy Golledge your headliner.
Sundays are fundays at Dashville Skyline
Magpie Diaries, Steve Smyth, and local songstress Melody Pool were highlights, before festival favourites and Oz music royalty, The Black Sorrows closed out another incredible Skyline event at Dashville.
The Morning Constitutionals with Australian music writing trailblazer Stuart Coupe, was part of a greater focus on Oz music history at Dashville Skyline, and was an outstanding addition to the festival line-up.
Starting the Saturday and Sunday mornings with a bacon and egg roll, listening in on a conversation between the quick-witted emcee Ben Quinn and Coupe was akin to being a fly on the wall of some murky recording studio when your favourite artist was laying down their seminal track – it was electrifying and a wonderful reminder of the shared love of music of all who come to, and are part of the Dashville experience.
Dashville is like family
Some festivals are about fashion and being seen. Festivals at Dashville are all about finding a sense of belonging, and connection. Teams of volunteers and friends make every Dashville event a success, none more so than stage manager Anna Tranter, who has been diagnosed with an untreatable brain cancer. The Dashville family came together to pay tribute to Anna, who joined her mates the Hoodoo Rhythm Aces on stage.
Dashville’s Laconic and mostly irreverent emcee, Ben Quinn, emotionally described his friend Anna as “one of those comets that crash into your world and change it immeasurably.
“She keeps time like Gene Krupa and a Swiss watch. Dashville wouldn’t have run without the mothering and nurturing force that is Anna.”
While smoking a cigarette, wrapped in a blanket, lovingly placed across her shoulders by a member of the Dashville crew, Anna spoke to her crowd of her illness and the importance of living each moment.
This is what Dashville is all about, knowing that there is a place in this world for everyone, and when you get there you have a sense of knowing that this is where you belong and are joined by others in a love of music, and living each moment to its fullest.
It’s a festival for everyone
You don’t have to be a country music fan, or even be a person of a certain age to enjoy Dashville Skyline. Everyone from parents with babies, to older fans and the in-between, rocked out side-by-side at this year’s Skyline weekender event.
Nestled in the bush in Lower Belford, near Branxton and in the shire of Singleton, this purpose-built venue is a haven for fun times and incredible live music.
The family-friendly atmosphere and inclusive vibe are the cherries on top of this special place. There’s the covered half-pipe that’s a hit with skateboarders, scooter riders, and is clambered over both day and night by the tribes of kids that escort their parents to Dashville events.
The kids’ playground and animal petting zoo, complete with Llamas, Alpacas and Deer, is a wonderful addition and distraction for the young and young at heart.
And I can’t think of another festival that offers a hot shower for punters. Such a welcome treat after a big day of kicking-up your heels, physically or metaphorically, in the bush.
The organisers of Dashville also take the time to make sure the on-site catering offers something for everyone. From hot chips, to pizza, to burritos and organic fare, all tastes were catered to. You are also welcome to bring your own food to cook and eat back at your campsite.
For those not kitted up for a weekend in the bush, Dashville also offers glamping sites for an additional cost for punters, as well as weekend and day pass tickets – so there are no excuses for music and festival lovers to not make their way to the next Dashville event.
Convinced? Want to be part of the Dashville experience? Check out the Dashville website for information about the next event or festival and get there. Visit dashville.com.au to find out more
