So I’m loading the van for my little trip to Taree for the Saltwater Freshwater Festival this Saturday. I’m so excited cuz I’m getting to play with some of my favorite Aussie acts like The Medics, Coloured Stone, Last Kinection, blues man Buddy Knox and Taree funk-rock band the Jay Davis Trio. It’s gonna be a real hoot! Plus it’s FREE!!! Live music, art, dance and food. My four favorite things in life…
See www.saltwaterfreshwaterfestival.com.au for more information or like www.facebook.com/swfw.festival for all the latest updates.
Further details below:
A stellar line-up of some of the country’s most talented Aboriginal musicians will take to the stage at this coming Australia Day when the Saltwater Freshwater Festival makes its triumphant return to Taree.
The diverse music program will feature national and local acts including pub-rock legends Coloured Stone, Triple J darlings The Medics, deadly hip hop act Last Kinection, blues man Buddy Knox, alternative country singer Sue Ray and Taree funk-rock band the Jay Davis Trio.
Taree local and community leader Jay Davis is looking forward to sharing the stage with Aboriginal music legends, but mostly he is just proud to be playing at the festival as it makes its return to his hometown.
“I love the passion of Indigenous music – I grew up enjoying the sounds of musicians such as Coloured Stone, Kev Carmody, Archie Roach, Booby Mcleod, Yothu Yindi and the Warumpi Band just to name a few,” says Davis of the coming festival.
“It’s hard to explain how awesome it is to be having the festival in Taree – for the town to be the focal point this time around. It is an honour to represent my community as a local artist and I find it is a great way to support reconciliation and the local community. Yii biripi barray, burrugi dhanbaan guyiwangal (This is Birpi Country, swim strong shark People).”
Brisbane musician Sue Ray has just returned from a trip to Nashville where she recorded a new EP and performed at the Americana Music Conference.
“I was exposed to some of the best of the best musicians in their field from all over the world at the conference,” says Sue Ray of her trip. “I can safely say with pride, that Australia truly has some of the most passionate and gifted Indigenous singers/songwriters and bands in the world, and I am so blessed and proud to be a part of it.”
“I am thrilled to be performing at this year’s Saltwater Freshwater Festival. It’s such a wonderful opportunity to be included in an event that highlights the wealth of talent available in the Australian indigenous music, art and dance culture.”
The full festival program will be announced shortly and will include workshops, showcases of the Arts Alliance projects from the past year, yarn panels, hands-on cultural experiences, dance performances and the finale parade as well as Aboriginal food and arts stalls.
The Saltwater Freshwater Festival is an open invitation to come together on Australia Day and presents a unique opportunity to experience Aboriginal living culture through the sharing of music, dance, food, conversations and family fun.
There will also be return buses running between the festival and Coffs Harbour, Kempsey, Port Macquarie, Gloucester and Forster. Thanks to a Transport for NSW grant, fares will only be $3 each way.