The people who bring us the Wingham Akoostik Festival each October are taking a different tack this year.
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The team felt the community needed a music event after the trying times of COVID-19, following on from the worst drought in living memory and devastating bushfires.
"We wanted to put on an event the whole community could enjoy," festival director Donna Ballard said.
"This year we realise it is more about supporting the artists and the local businesses than ever before."
'Down the Street' - an initiative from Wingham Akoostik Festival - will host 15 artists across three nights at Wingham Services Club on Friday October 16, Saturday October 17 and Sunday October 18.
It will see the cafes and venues of Wingham come alive with the sweet sounds of Bill Chambers, Cheap Fakes, 19-Twenty, Imogen Clark and many more.
The ticketed concerts will be limited numbers to adhere to social distancing restrictions, but this won't be the only entertainment lighting up Wingham.
The remaining artists, with more to be announced at a later date, will play at much-loved local venues and cafes including the Australian Hotel, Bent on Food, Garden Grub and other spots across the three days - all for free.
"It really will be a festival for the locals, as we know numbers will be tightly restricted to ensure compliance with health regulations," Donna said.
Some of the highlights include well-known Australian country star Bill Chambers, singer-songwriter Jodi Martin, and Brisbane brass-fuelled funk band Cheap Fakes.
Genre-bending Imogen Clark is sure to put on a memorable set after spending recent years touring Europe and the US.
This year we realise it is more about supporting the artists and the local businesses than ever before.
- Wingham Akoostik Music Festival director Donna Ballard
Festival favourites 19-Twenty will get the crowd dancing with their groove-based rock sound while Salt and Steel will do the same as they fuse heavy rock to the earthy and grounded sounds of tribal, blues and roots music.
There is also rising talent on the cards with bands Dogma and Little Quirks along with a bunch of local draw cards like Matty Zarb and Goodfellas, Jackson James, Grace Callaghan, the Trapps, The Big Fins, Harry's Lookout and more.
The festival brings together a little bit for everyone with country, rock, acoustic, blues and more. With a mix of local acts and established artists,you'll be sure to find a new favourite this October.
Tickets will go on sale in August on Oztix for $25 per night for acts inside Wingham Services Club, while the other performances will be free.
The lineup:
19-Twenty, Swamp Stompers, Bill Chambers, Imogen Clark, Cheap Fakes, Darren Jack Band, Little Quirks, Blues Arcadia, Dogma, Kristen Lee Morris & The Dirty Snakes, Hurricane Fall, Jarred Taylor, Salt + Steel, Jodi Martin, Andy Toombs, Ghost Road, Glen Mead, Matty Zarb & Goodfellas, Trapps, The Big Fins, Jackson James, Workshop Trio, The Southern Hold, Harry's Lookout, Grace Callaghan, and more to be announced.
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