Dashville announces top-notch line up for three-day escape of musical recreation and leisurely relaxation, featuring William Crighton & The Bellbird Rats, Little Quirks, Wagons and more…
As restrictions continue to ease around the country, the Hunter Valley’s shadiest outdoor music venue Dashville, is gearing up to host a New Years escape to shake o the vibes of an incredibly challenging year, they’re calling it A Fresh Start. A Fresh Start will be a three-night concert series held in the lush confines of Dashville, running across 31st December 2020, 1st January and 2nd January 2021. Alongside the live music component will be a range of COVID safe creative workshops, kids activities and a rather interesting installation, known as the Splashville Waterpark.
Today Dashville is pleased to announce the line-up for the three concerts, featuring plenty of great local acts, alongside a number of talented interstate friends, keen to make their return to the hallowed site.
THURSDAY 31st DECEMBER 2020
William Crighton & The Bellbird Rats, Bloody Hell, The Blackwater Fever, Viragos
You can guarantee a blistering set from William Crighton & The Bellbird Rats as they lead you into the new year (featuring a big band full of surprise guests). Also entertaining you on the night will be local underground superstar punk rockers Bloody Hell, the dark brooding blues-rock sounds of Brisbane trio The Blackwater Fever, and 5 piece funk-pop outfit Viragos will have you getting your groove on from the get-go.
FRIDAY 1st JANUARY 2021
Little Quirks, Magpie Diaries, Bones and Jones, Dashville Progress Society
The sweet indie-folk sounds of Central Coast trio Little Quirks will be the perfect tonic as they take to the stage on New Years Day. You’ll get Magpie Diaries pulling out their sublime cosmic country tunes, the infectious jangly psych-pop-rock of Geelong’s Bones and Jones and a wealth of muso talent coming together when the mighty Dashville Progress Society bust out the big numbers in a blockbuster tribute to the 80’s, narrated by Ben Quinn.
SATURDAY 2nd JANUARY 2021
Wagons, Hat Fitz & Cara, Huntress, Front End Loader
Their first NSW show in a year will see the almighty cosmic psych-country outfit Wagons return to the Dashville stage, along with internationally acclaimed Blues & Roots duo Hat Fitz & Cara. Eleven of the Hunter region’s best female musicians will come together as Huntress – paying tribute to the female artists who have shaped their lives, and you’ll be in for a rockin’ treat with Sydney melodic hard-hitters Front End Loader.
Dashville like many venues around the country has battled through a challenging year with valour, pioneering the return of live music in the local region, hosting a number of COVID Safe live music concerts since August, based around the ‘party pen’ formula.
In October Dashville hosted Sky Ball, which became a tribute to their cancelled 2020 festivals, culminating in five nights of live music, with over 30 live performances broadcast online, in a very challenging legal and financial environment.
As we inch closer to the end of the year, organisers are keen and confident to say that the party pens will be a thing of the past, with easing restrictions allowing for more lenient social distancing techniques across the spacious 20 acre site.
WHAT WILL A FRESH START LOOK LIKE?
Each day there’ll be a range of planned activities for people to choose from. We’re currently fine tuning the activities, but to give you an idea:
Practise your slow start in serenity, enjoy decadent breakfasts, morning yoga and relaxation rituals, some creative up-skilling workshops, plenty of arts and crafts, volleyball, skateboarding or hammock time? You can bring your own plunge pool and we’ll fill it up for a small fee, or dabble in some nearby river swimming. There’s some lush bush walking in the National Park, or pop over the road for some Wine Country touring, sneaky country pub lunch, perhaps with a sneaky midday busker or two…
As the sun begins to bend beyond the Dashville ironbarks, we’ll be kicking off an evening concert of four acts. New Years Eve we have extended trading until 2am, but otherwise each night will come to a close at midnight.