Festivals
Dashville Skyline Festival 2024: A Celebration of Cosmic Country and Roots Music
Over the October long weekend, nestled in the tranquil countryside of Lower Belford, NSW, the Dashville Skyline Festival once again offered an unforgettable experience for music lovers, gathering a passionate crowd under the theme of cosmic country, alt-country, and roots music. Now in its 10th year, the festival delivered a captivating blend of local Australian talent and international acts, keeping true to its reputation as one of the most eclectic celebrations of Americana-inspired music in the Southern Hemisphere.
Set in the picturesque Dashville venue, the festival had a relaxed and earthy vibe, with gum trees framing the stages and the aroma of campfires lingering in the air. Dashville is a space designed for music lovers to kick back, enjoy quality live music, and immerse themselves in the festival’s homely, unpretentious atmosphere. As always, the weekend brought a diverse lineup of seasoned performers and emerging artists, leaving no corner of the alt-country genre unexplored.
William Crighton, one of Australia’s most revered contemporary roots artists, was among the weekend’s most highly anticipated acts. Crighton’s powerful presence commanded attention as he took to the stage with his signature fusion of folk, rock, and storytelling. The performance was a spellbinding journey, with Crighton weaving darkly poetic narratives about Australia’s landscape, its people, and environmental struggles. Tracks like “Stand on the Outside” and “Your Country” left the audience in awe, his voice booming with a deep, earthy resonance that felt like it rose from the very soil beneath our feet. His set was spiritual, raw, and unyielding—a true reflection of his artistic vision.
The energy shifted up a notch with Good Corn Liquor, a high-octane bluegrass band from Australia. Their set was lively, filled with blistering banjo licks and tight harmonies that brought a smile to every face in the crowd. Drawing on both traditional Appalachian influences and their own original compositions, they delivered a toe-tapping performance that had festivalgoers dancing in front of the stage and spilling into the surrounding fields. Their chemistry on stage was infectious, and the precision with which they navigated the complex rhythms and melodies made them a highlight of the weekend.
Shane Howard, the iconic Australian singer-songwriter and former lead of Goanna, graced the stage on Sunday night, creating an atmosphere of reflective, emotive storytelling. Howard, with his decades-long history in folk music, performed timeless hits like “Solid Rock” and “Let the Franklin Flow,” while his band added a fresh dynamic with harmonies and instrumental prowess. There was a sense of reverence in the audience as Howard’s words resonated deeply, drawing attention to Australia’s cultural history and environmental issues, while the songsmiths iconic songs still infuse energy into every performance.
International acts added a thrilling variety to the weekend. Uncle Lucius, the Southern rockers hailing from Austin, Texas, delivered two powerful and soulful sets. Their gritty, blues-infused sound was a perfect fit for Dashville’s cosmic country aesthetic, with fan favourites like “Keep the Wolves Away” resonating deeply with the crowd.
British singer-songwriter Grace Petrie brought something different to the lineup with her politically charged folk anthems. Armed with just her guitar and razor-sharp wit, Petrie won over the audience with songs that blended vulnerability, defiance, and hope. Her candid and conversational stage presence made the set feel deeply personal and connected, leaving many festivalgoers newly converted fans by the end.
The Rose City Band, a psychedelic Americana outfit from Portland, Oregon, took the audience on a trippy, sun-soaked journey. Their extended jams, lush melodies, and hypnotic rhythms were mesmerizing, offering a perfect soundtrack for a chilled afternoon. In contrast, Buck ‘N’ Stuff brought their Southern-fried swagger and rollicking country rock to the stage, firing up the crowd with loud guitars and gritty vocals.
Ross Wilson, the legendary frontman of Daddy Cool and Mondo Rock, brought a dose of classic Australian rock and roll to Dashville. His set was a hit parade of nostalgic gems, with songs like “Eagle Rock” and “Come Said the Boy” eliciting massive singalongs from the crowd. Despite his decades-long career, Wilson’s energy was as infectious as ever, proving that he’s still very much a force to be reckoned with on stage.
The Melbourne-based rock band Kingswood added a sharp, electrifying edge to the festival with their mix of rock, blues, and country-tinged tunes. Their hard-hitting performance, marked by tight musicianship and energetic stage presence, was a contrast to the more laid-back sets, injecting a bit of grit and edge into the weekend’s proceedings.
Meanwhile, Jeb Cardwell’s performance stood out for its masterful guitar work. The renowned guitarist and singer-songwriter, known for his ability to blend blues, rock, and country, delivered a searing set. His bluesy licks and soulful vocals left a lasting impression, earning him a new wave of admirers by the end of his performance.
Camille Trail’s haunting, smoky vocals and introspective songwriting made for one of the most captivating sets of the weekend, accompanied by the ethereal guitar and harmonies of Riley Catherall. Her ability to blend Americana with a distinctly Australian storytelling style is rare and refreshing. Andy Golledge, known for his rambunctious, beer-soaked alt-country style, had the crowd singing and stomping along to his lively tunes, creating an atmosphere of joyous rebellion. James Ellis & The Jealous Guys, bringing honky-tonk charm and twangy guitars, provided a refreshing dose of classic country music with a modern twist.
Ella Hooper, formerly of Killing Heidi fame, proved her versatility as an artist, stepping into the alt-country realm with grace. Her set was raw, emotive, and bursting with energy, showcasing her growth as a solo artist. Hooper’s powerful voice and charisma captivated the crowd, marking her transition from rock queen to a country star on the rise.
A festival at Dashville wouldn’t be complete without the presence of hometown heroes Magpie Diaries. Known for their soulful and nostalgic take on cosmic country, their performance was both a homecoming and a celebration of community. Magpie Diaries brought warmth to the stage, blending soulful harmonies with thoughtful lyricism. Their set featured songs from their album “Sanctuary”, which felt like an ode to the very spirit of the festival—heartfelt, reflective, and steeped in a love for music and storytelling.
Dashville Skyline 2024 was a triumphant celebration of music that defied the boundaries of genre, offering a platform for both seasoned artists and new talent to shine. The festival’s commitment to creating an inclusive, down-to-earth environment was palpable, making it a haven for cosmic country, roots, and Americana music in Australia. where each act brought something unique, ensuring that everyone left with memories of a weekend filled with music, community, and the timeless spirit of storytelling.
When Australia’s own Cosmic Country Weekender, Dashville Skyline, celebrates its 10th anniversary in October Long Weekend (NSW) 2024, it’s going to be one amazing event.
Today, the festival revealed the addition of 16 bands to its already impressive 2024 lineup. One of the highlights of this partnership is the addition of two regional acts from NSW to the festival lineup, which will serve as the last stop on the MusicNSW-sponsored “Golden Highway” regional tour.
Please welcome as part of the second announcement, soul country powerhouse Emma Donovan, the eclectic esoteric Ella Hooper from Killing Heidi fame, Tamworth alt-country party boy Andy Golledge, well swung country outfit James Ellis & The Jealous Guys, raucous Austin based debutants Buck N Stuff (US), loveable larrikin Watty Thompson, rising indie folk singer Camille Trail, the incredible Americana vibes of Jeb Cardwell & The Dream Deal, local bluegrass legends Good Corn Liquor, western swing pros Hunter Valley Ramblers, the sexy prowess of Kingsley James, and the deep flow of Andy Abra’s Big River Band.
Together with his incredible band The Peaceniks, one of Australia’s greatest, Ross Wilson, will perform massive tunes from the vaults of Daddy Cool and Mondo Rock alongside these acts. The legendary US group Hurray For The Riff Raff, the country rock icons Kingswood, the legendary front man of Goanna, Shane Howard, the upbeat blues trio 19-Twenty, the local folk ruffian William Crighton, the Melbourne spaghetti-western supergroup The Counterfeit, featuring the amazing Freya Josephine Hollick and folk troubadour Emily Barker.
Other international artists include Uncle Lucius, a Texan legend from Yellowstone fame and Grace Petrie, a folk singer from the UK.
The small but passionate Dashville team has showcased some of the best Australian alternative folk and country music of the last ten years, and they do it with style and independence. Known for always doing things their own unique way, they provide a lovely setting for thoughtfully crafted festival programming that are jam-packed with soulful performances from all over the nation and the globe. This year is no different!
The following acts will be present at Dashville Skyline in 2024:
Ross Wilson & The Peaceniks
Hurray For The Riff Raff (US)
Shane Howard & Band
Ella Hooper
Emma Donovan
Kingswood
William Crighton
Uncle Lucius (US)
Emily Barker
Rose City Band (US)
Grace Petrie (UK)
19-Twenty
Andy Golledge
James Ellis & The Jealous Guys
The Counterfeit
Freya Josephine Hollick
Dana Gehrman
Jeb Cardwell & The Dream Deal
Watty Thompson
Magpie Diaries
David M. Western
Leroy Macqueen
Good Corn Liquor
Buck N Stuff (US)
Camille Trail
Dank Hank & The Hot Ones
Small Town Romance
Piper Butcher
Kingsley James
Grand Pricks
Field Of Crows
Hunter Valley Ramblers
Andy Abra & The Big River Band
Dashville Progress Society
Plus two acts as part of MusicNSW ‘Golden Highway’ Tour
The event offers a unique weekend musical camping experience. It is held over the October Long weekend, which falls on Friday, October 4, Saturday, October 5, and Sunday, October 6, 2024, on the revered “island in the stream,” Dashville, in Wonnarua Country, Hunter Valley, New South Wales.
This festival isn’t only about country music. With a sky full of stars and songs overhead and another rabbit hole appearing at every turn, Dashville Skyline is a masterfully arranged musical extravaganza that meanders through a wide-open country landscape.
The family-friendly camping festival is a favorite among people who want more relaxed music, maybe with a hint of cool permeating their folk or country genre. The well-known festival offers an abundance of amazing live performances by carefully selected artists from Australia and beyond, together with several artistic partnerships, family-friendly events, and casual, vintage-style country fun.
One of the main spectacles of the festival is the immensely popular Sunset Super Round. On Saturday 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”.
Tickets for Dashville Skyline 2024 are on sale now at the Dashville Store.
The festival program extends from Thursday 3rd October through to Sunday night, October 6, 2024.
Tyler Hubbard, a multi-Platinum selling artist, will be performing in Australia this October as part of his ‘Strong World Tour’ and will be Hubbard’s second visit to Australia in 2024, following his headline set at CMC Rocks earlier this year.
The general public will be able to purchase the tickets on Monday, May 20th, at the same time that the pre-sale begins on Friday, May 17th, at 10 am AEST.
Starting on October 6th at Melbourne’s Forum, the tour will make its way to Sydney’s Enmore Theatre on October 9th, and finally to the Gold Coast’s Star Theatre on October 13th. In addition to Deniliquin’s Deni Ute Muster on October 4, Mareeba’s “Savannah In The Round” on October 11, and Sandstone Point’s “Over Yonder” Country Music Festival on October 12, Tyler has a number of other upcoming performances.
As a member of the multi-platinum combo Florida Georgia Line, the American singer-songwriter has already achieved a spectacular career with 21 US radio hits that peaked at No. 1, numerous accolades, and sold-out performances.
Tyler will be performing alone at this event, and fans will get a chance to witness his dynamic and energetic song selection, which highlights Hubbard’s free-spirited energy, command the stage.
His solo career has been booming since the release of his self-titled debut album in January, which was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The record has received more than 1.33 billion streams worldwide.
On Strong, Hubbard has hit singles like “Back Then Right Now” and “Wish You Would,” and fans can look forward to hearing “5 Foot 9″—a song that has been certified 2x Platinum by the RIAA—and its follow-up, “Dancin’ In The Country”—a song that has more than 420 million streams worldwide and is RIAA Platinum—performed.
The 44th winner of Toyota Star Maker, Australia’s most esteemed country music competition, Wade Forster, is an Australian rodeo cowboy and country music performer. He will be accompanying Tyler on his tour around the country. On Spotify, Forster has over 400,000 monthly listeners, and on Apple Music, he has over 31,000,000 streams.
TYLER HUBBARD AUSTRALIAN TOUR DATES:
Sunday 06 October – Melbourne, Forum
Wednesday 09 October – Sydney, Enmore Theatre
Sunday 13 October – Gold Coast, The Star Theatre
Also appearing at:
Friday 04 October – Deniliquin, Deni Ute Muster
Friday 11 October – Mareeba, Savannah In The Round
Saturday 12 October – Sandstone Point, Over Yonder Country Music Festival
As part of his Nomad World Tour, multi-Platinum singer-songwriter Kip Moore will be returning to Australia and New Zealand in September and October, and country music fans couldn’t be more thrilled to have him here.
For his fifth Australian tour, Kip is performing nine massive headline shows in cities including Christchurch, Auckland, Sydney, Newcastle, Adelaide, Melbourne, Canberra, Thirroul, and Brisbane as part of his Nomad World Tour.
On Monday, March 25th at 4pm local time, Frontier Members will have access to the presale tickets. The general onsale will start on Wednesday, March 27th at 4pm local time. Check out frontiertouring.com/kipmoore for all the tour details and reservations!
Kip Moore’s southern charm remains as smooth as ever; he last visited Australia and New Zealand for a sell-out headline tour in 2023, which included a spectacular headline performance at CMC Rocks QLD. Arenas and theatres around the nation are going to go ballistic when the genre-bending songsmith returns, as his legion of devoted followers are begging for more.
After launching his career in 2012 with the release of Up All Night, Kip got off to a roaring start. The project became an immediate hit, going platinum in the US, and was praised as “the best by a new country artist this year” (Taste of Country). As the next decade rolled along, Kip’s highly awaited fifth studio album, Damn Love, was released in 2023 to millions of albums sold and over 2.9 billion streams globally. This album, which Kip Moore co-produced, features thirteen songs that demonstrated his skill as a songwriter and musician once again, solidifying his position as a dominant force in the country music industry.
Known worldwide for his electrifying live performances and distinctive sound, Kip Moore is an absolutely extraordinary performer. This past year, he reached a new peak in his career with over 44,000 tickets sold in South Africa. He played to sold-out stadiums in Pretoria and Cape Town, ushered in a new era for country music, and even debuted the Cape Town Country Music Festival.
The dynamic troubadour will devote the most of 2024 to his craft, playing headlining concerts and festival appearances across North America before making a late-year trek to Australia and New Zealand.
In recent years, “Kip Moore” has amassed a legion of devoted fans around the world. Riding high on the enthusiasm and interest of his massive global fan base – A A Nashville Soundscape
“Becoming one of the most consistent and potent live draws in country music, and not only in the US. Performing to packed houses in countries like Australia and Canada, he is a shining example of the organic performance art that the most commercially successful acts in his field tend to ignore in favour of stagecraft.”
Rolling Stone
James Johnston, a local hero, has had remarkable success with his boot-stomping songs about life in the country. He has joined Kip in performing in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. James has risen to prominence as one of Australia’s most popular country music singers on streaming services, riding high on the success of his groundbreaking debut album RAISED LIKE THAT and the rest of 2023. His unassuming demeanour, high-energy live performance, and indisputable talent will propel him to international stardom.
New Zealand, Sydney, Newcastle, Adelaide, Melbourne, and Canberra will be graced by the melodic sounds of Sons Of The East, a local indie folk duo. With over 300 million streams and sold-out concerts in Australia and across the globe, Sons Of The East are an incredible independent success story. Palomar Parade, their outstanding debut album, showcases their energetic sound and helps them carve out a distinct niche among their peers.
Kip Moore, who has defied genre expectations in country music, returns to Australia and New Zealand to the delight of his devoted fans. In September and October, he will be performing at two of his most notable concerts to date.
Dashville Skyline Festival 2024: A Celebration of Cosmic Country and Roots Music
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