DORRIGO FOLK AND BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL
The folk festival
scene is such a joyous thing to experience. And the amount of fabulous
talent out there continues to inspire me. Having just returned from
another Dorrigo Folk and Bluegrass Festival, I am still riding the
waves of enjoyment and inspiration that come after any good festival.
The hard work of Bridget Sommers is to be absolutely commended, as is her knowledge of the Australian music scene. The line-up at this year's festival was phenomenal. And the high calibre of music flowing from the stages did not falter for a moment.
Dorrigo itself is a lovely town in a beautiful setting, high on a lush, green plateau with rainforests, waterfalls, and dairy farms. The rain came and went, but did not hinder things at all. When it rained, the halls were full of happy, friendly people soaking up the fantastic music. The sun made plenty of welcome appearances too though, always around long enough to keep the ground reasonably dry, to have the ice-cream stall owner glad he had set-up, the sun hats were put on again, and impromptu jamming continued in the general areas in an instant.
The lack of alcohol at this festival is a distinct and favourable aspect. While alcohol may no doubt have been consumed in the camping area, the festival's main area was both smoke and alcohol free. The lack of both enhanced the festival immensely, rather than hindered it. And I say this not only because I am a non-drinker. Speaking with many others about it over the weekend, it was obvious that this element was very favourably received and enjoyed.
It meant that everyone was there for the music alone, not the partying or excess that can come with bars or those hell-bent on writing themselves off at festivals. People were more present and with everyone in a similar headspace, it created an atmosphere of natural friendliness and open communication. It also meant that the music was heard and remembered, which is much preferred! It didn't stop the music continuing to flow well either after the official concerts had finished each night, with fantastic tunes still floating through the night into the wee hours.
Another positive sign of the times at many festivals now is the availability of healthy food. Gone are the days when the only thing you could get to eat at an Australian music festival was a meat pie, a steak sandwich, a bucket of greasy chips, or something that may have once resembled some kind of sausage, cleverly disguised in three inches of batter, put on a stick and drowned in tomato sauce.
For those who love to live well and eat healthily, going to festivals used to always be a sacrifice in the food department. But the last few years have seen changes at many festivals and certainly for the better. Dina, who ran the kitchen at Dorrigo festival ensured that no health would suffer there at all, bless her. In fact, I am sure many punters ate better than they had in years. Fresh, wholesome and delicious food was available all weekend and with the dining hall being one of the two main venues, it was a pleasurable place to be.
Likewise the coffee vendors kept all happy, with delicious chai, herbal teas, coffee, cakes and fresh juices. They did balance things out a little though, for those who needed a dose of something slightly less healthy, by making hot chips available too. The festival also spilled into the town's cafes for breakfast each morning, where diners could enjoy some of the more acoustic acts in the line-up.
On Saturday afternoon, when ducking back to the van for some fruit, I was blessed to hear some fine tunes coming from the neighbours in the campground, as they rehearsed for their gig as the Slickville Pickers. So I lay in the back of the van with the back open, looked out at green paddocks and a big, country sky, and enjoyed my own private concert, all the while thinking what a beautiful gift music is. Over the years, I have definitely come to appreciate the music that flows from the campgrounds. Whether the musicians are performing in the official line-up or not, the talent hidden in festival campgrounds are always well worth avoiding the comfort of motels for.
And there was certainly no end of fine talent at Dorrigo this year, in the campgrounds or in the official line-up. My personal favourites from the main venues again were The Junes. The stage presence and combined wit of Suzannah Espie, Gleny Rae and Sarah Carroll, joined with their own musical talents and that of Dougie Bull and Chris Tabone, never fails to leave their audience uplifted and delighted. I am yet to ever see an audience member leave a Junes gig without a smile on their face.
Innes Campbell and Present Company blew me away over dinner on Friday night, with their talents and fantastic music. Melanie Robinson and the Miles to Go trio had me wanting to learn how to play the cello. Bluestone Junction took me back to my childhood where endless hours were spent listening to my father's vast collection of old-time bluegrass 78s. And The Ewan Mackenzie Duo did Django Reinhardt true justice and left me wanting to watch the movie Swing again this week. (I highly recommend this movie to lovers of gypsy guitar if you've not yet seen it. In fact, it is such a lovely movie, I recommend it even if you don't like gypsy guitar).
Nardi Simpson and Kaleena Briggs, better known as the Stiff Gins, blessed the audience with positive, honest tunes and uplifting harmonies, showing how having the resilience to stick with it for more than a decade has created a beautifully, natural flow of their combined musicianship.
And the list goes on. Every artist who performed at Dorrigo Folk and Bluegrass Festival this year is to be commended for bringing such quality music to the weekend. And of course, Bridget Sommers who has managed to turn her ideas into such a delightful festival, bringing pleasure to the hundreds who were there, is one very remarkable person. All of those involved in helping to organise the festival also deserve great thanks for making performers and festival goers alike feel so welcome.
Regardless of where you live, if folk festivals are not a part of your social life, do yourself a favour and try a few out. New friendships await, as well as an immense amount of great music. Or try a workshop or two, whether it be singing, learning about an instrument or trying out a new kind of dance style.
Folk festivals are friendly places to experience and well worth stepping out for, doing something new. Whatever your taste in music, most festivals have something for everyone these days. But folk festivals are by far the most welcoming I have found. Maybe it's just the nature of acoustic music.
Thanks to all who make festivals possible everywhere. Your efforts transform lives and bring great joy. Thank you all. Let's keep the music coming.
The hard work of Bridget Sommers is to be absolutely commended, as is her knowledge of the Australian music scene. The line-up at this year's festival was phenomenal. And the high calibre of music flowing from the stages did not falter for a moment.
Dorrigo itself is a lovely town in a beautiful setting, high on a lush, green plateau with rainforests, waterfalls, and dairy farms. The rain came and went, but did not hinder things at all. When it rained, the halls were full of happy, friendly people soaking up the fantastic music. The sun made plenty of welcome appearances too though, always around long enough to keep the ground reasonably dry, to have the ice-cream stall owner glad he had set-up, the sun hats were put on again, and impromptu jamming continued in the general areas in an instant.
The lack of alcohol at this festival is a distinct and favourable aspect. While alcohol may no doubt have been consumed in the camping area, the festival's main area was both smoke and alcohol free. The lack of both enhanced the festival immensely, rather than hindered it. And I say this not only because I am a non-drinker. Speaking with many others about it over the weekend, it was obvious that this element was very favourably received and enjoyed.
It meant that everyone was there for the music alone, not the partying or excess that can come with bars or those hell-bent on writing themselves off at festivals. People were more present and with everyone in a similar headspace, it created an atmosphere of natural friendliness and open communication. It also meant that the music was heard and remembered, which is much preferred! It didn't stop the music continuing to flow well either after the official concerts had finished each night, with fantastic tunes still floating through the night into the wee hours.
Another positive sign of the times at many festivals now is the availability of healthy food. Gone are the days when the only thing you could get to eat at an Australian music festival was a meat pie, a steak sandwich, a bucket of greasy chips, or something that may have once resembled some kind of sausage, cleverly disguised in three inches of batter, put on a stick and drowned in tomato sauce.
For those who love to live well and eat healthily, going to festivals used to always be a sacrifice in the food department. But the last few years have seen changes at many festivals and certainly for the better. Dina, who ran the kitchen at Dorrigo festival ensured that no health would suffer there at all, bless her. In fact, I am sure many punters ate better than they had in years. Fresh, wholesome and delicious food was available all weekend and with the dining hall being one of the two main venues, it was a pleasurable place to be.
Likewise the coffee vendors kept all happy, with delicious chai, herbal teas, coffee, cakes and fresh juices. They did balance things out a little though, for those who needed a dose of something slightly less healthy, by making hot chips available too. The festival also spilled into the town's cafes for breakfast each morning, where diners could enjoy some of the more acoustic acts in the line-up.
On Saturday afternoon, when ducking back to the van for some fruit, I was blessed to hear some fine tunes coming from the neighbours in the campground, as they rehearsed for their gig as the Slickville Pickers. So I lay in the back of the van with the back open, looked out at green paddocks and a big, country sky, and enjoyed my own private concert, all the while thinking what a beautiful gift music is. Over the years, I have definitely come to appreciate the music that flows from the campgrounds. Whether the musicians are performing in the official line-up or not, the talent hidden in festival campgrounds are always well worth avoiding the comfort of motels for.
And there was certainly no end of fine talent at Dorrigo this year, in the campgrounds or in the official line-up. My personal favourites from the main venues again were The Junes. The stage presence and combined wit of Suzannah Espie, Gleny Rae and Sarah Carroll, joined with their own musical talents and that of Dougie Bull and Chris Tabone, never fails to leave their audience uplifted and delighted. I am yet to ever see an audience member leave a Junes gig without a smile on their face.
Innes Campbell and Present Company blew me away over dinner on Friday night, with their talents and fantastic music. Melanie Robinson and the Miles to Go trio had me wanting to learn how to play the cello. Bluestone Junction took me back to my childhood where endless hours were spent listening to my father's vast collection of old-time bluegrass 78s. And The Ewan Mackenzie Duo did Django Reinhardt true justice and left me wanting to watch the movie Swing again this week. (I highly recommend this movie to lovers of gypsy guitar if you've not yet seen it. In fact, it is such a lovely movie, I recommend it even if you don't like gypsy guitar).
Nardi Simpson and Kaleena Briggs, better known as the Stiff Gins, blessed the audience with positive, honest tunes and uplifting harmonies, showing how having the resilience to stick with it for more than a decade has created a beautifully, natural flow of their combined musicianship.
And the list goes on. Every artist who performed at Dorrigo Folk and Bluegrass Festival this year is to be commended for bringing such quality music to the weekend. And of course, Bridget Sommers who has managed to turn her ideas into such a delightful festival, bringing pleasure to the hundreds who were there, is one very remarkable person. All of those involved in helping to organise the festival also deserve great thanks for making performers and festival goers alike feel so welcome.
Regardless of where you live, if folk festivals are not a part of your social life, do yourself a favour and try a few out. New friendships await, as well as an immense amount of great music. Or try a workshop or two, whether it be singing, learning about an instrument or trying out a new kind of dance style.
Folk festivals are friendly places to experience and well worth stepping out for, doing something new. Whatever your taste in music, most festivals have something for everyone these days. But folk festivals are by far the most welcoming I have found. Maybe it's just the nature of acoustic music.
Thanks to all who make festivals possible everywhere. Your efforts transform lives and bring great joy. Thank you all. Let's keep the music coming.
