Five-time Golden Guitar winners Lachlan and Hamish Davidson are returning to Wonthaggi to play at the first Wonthaggi Acoustic Festival. By Ellen Hubble
OVER the past 10 or so years a group of local musicians have identified a need for acoustic music to be highlighted in Bass Coast and in particular to support and raise the profile of arts and music culture in Wonthaggi.
Then I was at an acoustic music festival in Harrietville when a highly respected Irish fiddle player said to me “Wonthaggi needs a music festival!”
That's when we began to plan the Wonthaggi Acoustic Festival.
Acoustic because instruments are portable and accessible to anyone who plays or wishes to learn a musical instrument. Acoustic music has been at the core of family, folk and community music throughout the ages. Those traditions are still practised today and community music is thriving in Bass Coast but many people are unaware of it or how to access the various acoustic groups.
OVER the past 10 or so years a group of local musicians have identified a need for acoustic music to be highlighted in Bass Coast and in particular to support and raise the profile of arts and music culture in Wonthaggi.
Then I was at an acoustic music festival in Harrietville when a highly respected Irish fiddle player said to me “Wonthaggi needs a music festival!”
That's when we began to plan the Wonthaggi Acoustic Festival.
Acoustic because instruments are portable and accessible to anyone who plays or wishes to learn a musical instrument. Acoustic music has been at the core of family, folk and community music throughout the ages. Those traditions are still practised today and community music is thriving in Bass Coast but many people are unaware of it or how to access the various acoustic groups.
Ellen: We thought our first WAM festival should feature Gippsland musicians, opening up a vast list of wonderful musicians. The Davidson Brothers were born and raised in Yinnar. At acoustic music festivals we’ve seen them grow from very young children to accomplished, award-winning musicians with international performances added to their reputation.
They played in Wonthaggi in 2017, and were keen to return and perform. We are so pleased we are able to make that happen!
They played in Wonthaggi in 2017, and were keen to return and perform. We are so pleased we are able to make that happen!
"Give it a go, take up that instrument you’ve always wanted to play, join a singing group. It’s never too late to start. Music is for everyone."
There are so many talented musicians in Bass Coast that we didn't have to look far for our other performers. We’ve lived here full time for 10 years and met such welcoming, community-minded and talented musicians ... Strat & Lyndal, who also run Invy Horn Jam, Michael and Mary Whelan and Alison Chapman of The Bass Coast Pickers who will also be doing featured performances.
 Strat and Lyndal, AKA the Invy Horn Jam |  The Bass Coast Pickers: Mary Whelan, Michael Whelan and Alison Chapman |
Jacqui and Dani Paulson have run singing workshops locally for years. They’re talented musicians and very gifted instructors.
We’ve modeled our festival on music festivals run by volunteers in Harrietville, Beechworth, Bright and Yarra Junction. They’re family-friendly events and we’ve raised our own children in this climate of music.
There are featured performances by highly talented international, national and local bands and encouragement and opportunities for up and coming musicians. A variety of music styles are taught and handed down in workshops. Informal jam sessions are dotted around the camp areas and anyone at any level can pick up an instrument and learn a tune.
It’s the generosity of these musicians and performers and the richness of immersion in the music that we want to replicate. We want to make music accessible for everyone to play or just listen to.
We’ve modeled our festival on music festivals run by volunteers in Harrietville, Beechworth, Bright and Yarra Junction. They’re family-friendly events and we’ve raised our own children in this climate of music.
There are featured performances by highly talented international, national and local bands and encouragement and opportunities for up and coming musicians. A variety of music styles are taught and handed down in workshops. Informal jam sessions are dotted around the camp areas and anyone at any level can pick up an instrument and learn a tune.
It’s the generosity of these musicians and performers and the richness of immersion in the music that we want to replicate. We want to make music accessible for everyone to play or just listen to.
Most of all provide we want to provide an opportunity for everybody to enjoy a fun festival of music. Bring your own drinks and nibbles and instruments for a jamming session. We want the people of Wonthaggi and Bass Coast to have a taste of the many local music opportunities and groups for all abilities.
Give it a go, take up that instrument you’ve always wanted to play, join a singing group. It’s never too late to start. Music is for everyone.
Wonthaggi Acoustic Music Festival: Wonthaggi Town Hall. Sat, July 6. 9.45am-6pm: Workshops and performances. 7-10pm Evening concert, The Davidson Brothers plus Karavana Flamenca and the Bass Coast Pickers. Bookings at trybooking.com/CRJNJ
Give it a go, take up that instrument you’ve always wanted to play, join a singing group. It’s never too late to start. Music is for everyone.
Wonthaggi Acoustic Music Festival: Wonthaggi Town Hall. Sat, July 6. 9.45am-6pm: Workshops and performances. 7-10pm Evening concert, The Davidson Brothers plus Karavana Flamenca and the Bass Coast Pickers. Bookings at trybooking.com/CRJNJ