Threatening rain wasn’t enough to deter crowds for the 2018 Ocean Rhythms Festival at Old Bar on April 21.
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Event director Mark Searles said despite a drop in numbers from last year’s event, it was well received.
“Numbers were down on what we expected but the event went really well,” Mr Searles said.
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Mr Searles added that the all female line-up for the festival was no coincidence.
“We wanted to raise awareness of the gender inequality that exists in the music industry,” Mr Searles said.
Mr Searles said he was stoked to have multi Aria award winner Amy Shark headline the show.
“She’s such a professional artist and the audience really appreciated it,” Mr Searles said.
“She performed at the Commonwealth Games closing ceremony and overseas so it was incredible to have her in the small town of Old Bar.”
The festival’s organisation team will now focus on next year’s festival.
“We will look to see how we can cater for the audience,” Mr Searles said.
As a proud Biripi girl, it was fitting that 13-year-old Luca Saunders be a part of the Welcome to Country ceremony at the festival.
"What an exciting time to be a girl growing up in this beautiful country.
"It gets me to thinking of all the strong women in our lives, because of our grandmothers, our mothers, aunties, sisters and friends.
"We move forward together, lifting each other up, carrying each other,” she said.
Uncle Russell Saunders played the didgeridoo and spoke to the crowd in Gathang during the ceremony.