Music Festivals seem to be springing up everywhere, and it's now possible to find an event to cater for almost any taste.
Personally, I'm past the stage where I want to sit on the ground crammed in with thousands of other people for hours on end listening to some aged rock screamers that are just dots on a distant stage.
get up close to musicians at Healesville Music Festival
My idea of a good music festival is one where I can pick and choose the acts I want to see, and see them in a smaller environment where I can be comfortable, see, hear, and interact with the performers, and take a break or do something else that interests me at the same time. I'm also interested in seeing less well known performers, I want to be surprised, make discoveries, and feel a connection to the musicians.
What a bonus if you find a festival that ticks these boxes, but is also held in a pretty rural town less than an hours drive from Melbourne, famous for its food, wine and cultural scene, hospitable environment. An extra bonus if it boasts a line up that spans musical styles, and offers the chance to get up and dance as well as sit and listen.
healesville music festival 2014
Healesville Music Festival is all of those things and more. The festival has evolved from being a simple outdoor one day event for locals to become a high quality, carefully curated multi venue event featuring world class touring artists. Run over 2 nights and 2 days, the program offers a range of music styles, with plenty of surprises, and the opportunity for reflective listening as well as high energy dance bands.
This year's opening night band is Chris Henry and Hardcore Grass, all the way from Kentucky USA, while the magical Sin Frontera band will get the crowd up and dancing on Saturday night.
the little stevies proivde sweet harmonies with razor sharp wit.
For reflective listening, The Little Stevies, We Two Thieves and Lucie Thorne provide an experience akin to musical storytelling.
High energy bands, Afrovival, Engine Room, The Lucilles,all provide different styles for dancing or listening,along with a brilliant range of others on the program.
afro energy
To liven things up even more, the event also features a busking competition, and music workshops on the Saturday.
While still being a wonderful event for locals, the festival offers visitors the chance to enjoy a great weekend away experiencing a high quality, eclectic music festival.
With an inclusive weekend price of $45 (or Friday night only$27.50) and under 13's free, this is incredible value for 32 sessions of music, 4 workshops, a busking competition and a chalkboard stage.
Wander between venues, or choose your favourite and stay. Tickets are limited, and while I'm sure locals would love to keep this little gem to themselves, Healesville is renowned for offering visitors a warm welcome.
intimate atmosphere at the Memo Hall
