After last summer’s inaugural Riverboats Music Festival proved a huge success with audiences in Echuca-Moama, Melbourne, regional Victoria and southern New South Wales, it returns in February 2013 with a unique and memorable weekend of Australian music, locally sourced food and wine, and a gorgeous setting on the Murray River.
The 2013 line-up includes Pete Murray, Clare Bowditch, Archie Roach, James Reyne, Tim Rogers, Joe Camilleri & The Black Sorrows, Mia Dyson, Clairy Browne & The Bangin’ Rackettes, Gossling, The Bombay Royale, Cash Savage & The Last Drinks, Better Than The Wizards and Talisa Jobe.
“The response Riverboats received in its first year was absolutely fantastic, and we are so excited to once again be bringing some of the biggest names in Australian music to this magical part of the world,” said Festival Producer David Frazer.
While a slew of festivals speckle the Australian music landscape over summer, the Riverboats Music Festival stands apart. Taking place on the banks of the Murray close to the heart of Echuca’s historic port precinct, the artists perform in a stunning natural amphitheatre surrounded by ancient river red gums and paddle-steamers cruising along the river.
With only a single stage, this festival is small and intimate but with plenty of room to roll out a picnic rug, open a bottle of wine and not move all weekend. There’ll be no moshing, no crowd surfing, and no reason to pack any earplugs. Instead, picture a happy collection of locals and urbanites, young and old, dancers and loungers kicking back to enjoy platters brimming with some of the finest produce the region has to offer.
CEO of Echuca-Moama & District Tourism, Pete White, said, “We’re really excited about the amazing line-up of talent secured for the 2013 festival and congratulate the festival producers on this achievement. The Riverboats Music Festival has quickly become the Murray River’s premier music festival and we are thrilled to be showcasing this stunning precinct adjacent to the historic Port of Echuca and CBD.”
Once again, the Beechworth Bakery will be the location for the Official Festival Breakfast. The breakfast will take place on Sunday 17 February from 9.00am – 11.00am, on the top floor of the bakery, featuring live music, views over the Campaspe River and some of the finest food in the region – a festival favourite in 2012, tickets to the Official Festival Breakfast will sell like hotcakes.
This year, the festival has even managed to get their hands on a grand old-timer of the Murray River – the paddle-steamer Pevensey. On Saturday, February 16 a limited number of festival-goers will have the opportunity to purchase an exclusive festival ticket package that includes a two-hour river cruise aboard The Pev. Accompanied by local catering, live music and a well-stocked bar (beverages are an additional charge), The Pev will depart at noon and return by 2pm – just in time for the start of the festival.
Echuca-Moama offers an almost endless choice of Murray River accommodation, from quality motels, hotels, bed and breakfasts, apartments, houseboats, resorts, caravan and camping parks, through to backpacker accommodation. There are also a variety of self contained units and holiday cottages available, all within a two-and-a-half hour drive from Melbourne.
With a huge line-up and a well-priced ticket to boot, the Riverboats Music Festival is surely one of the best ways to while away a weekend this summer.
DATES
FRIDAY 15 FEBRUARY
5.30pm Gates open
6.30pm Talisa Jobe
8.00pm Cash Savage & The Last Drinks
9.30pm Joe Camilleri & The Black Sorrows
SATURDAY 16 FEBRUARY
1.00pm Gates open
2.00pm Gossling
3.30pm Tim Rogers
5:00pm The Bombay Royale
6.30pm Clare Bowditch
8.00pm James Reyne
9.30pm Clairy Browne & The Bangin’ Rackettes
SUNDAY 17 FEBRUARY
11.00am Gates open
12.00pm Better Than The Wizards
1.30pm Archie Roach
3.00pm Mia Dyson
4.30pm Pete Murray
TICKETS
Friday $30 Adult | $15 Child | $75 Family
Saturday $50 Adult | $25 Child | $125 Family
Sunday $50 Adult | $25 Child | $125 Family
Weekend $95 Adult | $45 Child | $235 Family
Riverboats Deluxe Festival Pass $150
Official Festival Breakfast $20
Bookings www.riverboatsmusic.com.au or the Echuca-Moama Visitor Information Centre on 03 5480 7555
