For more than 20 years, some of Australia's finest folk-roots, bluegrass, Americana, Celtic, jazz and blues musicians have loved performing at the Majors Creek Music Festival, enjoying the chance to mingle with fellow folk musicians and enthusiasts in a charming, laid-back, gold-rush era village.
This year’s headliners include new faces and old favourites including Americana foursome ‘Raised by Eagles’; folk artist Lucie Thorne teaming up with Sydney’s “rythm king” Hamish Stuart; Aria nominated Harry Hooker, and Australian-Fijian singer-songwriter Andrew Kirwin, whose music has been described as a rich mix of soul, funk, gospel, hip-hop and blues.
Singer, songwriter and guitarist Neil Murray is headlining the festival with what he describes as close to a blend of “country, folk, rock,” saying he tries to write music “as eloquently as I can, about the life and times of Australia.” The musician who “came of age” in the Northern Territory, coming to prominence as a founding member of ‘the Warumpi Band’ is known best for his song ‘My Island Home’, famously performed by Christina Anu at the 2000 Olympics closing ceremony.
While Murray loves playing bands, starting out in classic Australian “rock and roll bands,” the music he will be performing at the festival is primarily acoustic. He says of his music, that, “this is the art form that kind of chased me,” and that rather than seeing himself as an entertainer, “the best I can do is to hope I inspire someone.”
Murray, whose music is deeply rooted in a sense of place and connection to the country, says “I like small festivals.” He believes that in Australia that “we’ve got to make our own culture,” and festivals like this “help to deepen” our unique culture.
The intimacy that its small scale creates means Majors Creek Festival is alone in being a festival where you could easily find yourself in a late-night, sing-along with any of these artists.
Festival-goers will also enjoy music and dance workshops, themed concert performances and craft stalls. Kids will be kept busy with all-day activities and entertainment, while food vans and pop-up watering holes will satiate the punters.
The festival will be from November 11-13 in venues in and around the Majors Creek Recreation Grounds.
For more information, go to majorscreekfestival.org
