Whether you're mad for the blues, passionate about live music, or enjoy indulging in rural weekend getaways, the Winter Blues Festival has all bases covered.
Nestled within the picturesque surrounds of Echuca-Moama, 2024 marks the 25th anniversary of the festival with 20,000-plus punters expected trek to the NSW-VIC border in the middle of winter (25-28 July).The festival is also free to attend (aside from the Sunday evening wrap party that is ticketed), which is a unique point of difference especially given the current cost of living crisis.
Event organisers have unveiled the first round of artist, which is headlined by veteran Australian blues-roots raconteur 8 Ball Aitken and Goulburn's finest blues-funk-soul-rock-roots collective 19-Twenty.
"Looking forward to Winter Blues Festival in Echuca! Check out the fantastic line-up," shares 8 Ball.
Other line-up highlights include the blues, southern rock and Americana of Melbourne's Bill Barber & The Holding Cell, next-gen talent Charlie Bedford (who has already performed multiple times in Memphis, Nashville and Muscle Shoals), and the heartfelt alt. country, blues-rock of South Coast musician Corey Legge (who recently released his new single 'West Coast').
Then there's Geoff Achison & The Souldiggers bringing New Orleans funk, jazzy soul and driving blues alongside Indigenous Australian country musician Glenn Skuthorpe, blues-soul-gospel singer Iseula, Port Douglas blues-rock four-piece Lady Valiant and Byron Bay blues-roots rockers Marshall and The Fro.
"Very keen to be returning to this superb festival. See you all in July," says Charlie Bedford, while Corey Legge adds: "I'm looking forward to playing at Echuca-Moama Winter Blues Festival this July! Check out the amazing first artist announcement."
The Winter Blues Festival was set up by community for community and is a not for profit organisation run by a volunteer committee, which relies on funding from local businesses and grant funding to keep going.
2024 Winter Blues Festival takes place at various venues throughout Echuca-Moama 25-28 July. All venues are free entry.
Winter Blues Festival 2024 Line-up
8 Ball Aitken19-Twenty
Bill Barber & the Holding Cell
Charlie Bedford
Corey Legge
Geoff Achison & The Souldiggers
Glenn Skuthorpe
Iseula
Lady Valiant
Marshall and The Fro
Jungle Jim Smith
Nathan Beretta
Sammy Owen Blues Band
Sweet Felicia and The Honeytones
The Honey Badgers
The Mojo Corner
Tomcat Playground
With more to be announced
