Looking for something unique to do with your weekend? Look no further.
This weekend the inaugural Winter Sounds music series will finally take place in Daylesford, delivering an all-Australian music line-up and plenty of country charm.
Produced by the team behind the award-winning Riverboats Music Festival in Echuca, Winter Sounds will see a line-up of top Australian artists perform at some of the Daylesford region’s most atmospheric and character-filled heritage venues over three big music-filled days running from 15 to 17 July.
Keep up with the latest music news, festivals, interviews and reviews here.
Kicking off on Friday 15 July with the sublime sounds of award-winning soul band Emma Donovan & The Putbacks and support from Fenn Wilson at the Daylesford Uniting Church, the three-day event will see five separate performances hosted at a mix of truly unique historic sites across the Daylesford region.
Director David Frazer says that each of the five performance spaces –– a charming mix of old churches and Gold Rush-era halls –– will offer audiences a chance to be transported to a different time and place for a set of intimate and extraordinary musical experiences.
“Visiting Daylesford during winter is one of the great Australian pilgrimages, and it really is the best time of the year to enjoy this magical part of regional Victoria,” says Frazer.
“Winter Sounds will bring some of Australia’s best-loved performers to Daylesford and surrounding hills while drawing attention to some of the region’s most beautiful and sometimes forgotten heritage buildings. With this unique combination of talent and atmosphere, we’re hoping to deliver a really special set of experiences for our audiences.”
Where to eat, drink, stay, and explore in Daylesford – Forte Travel Guide
On Saturday 16 July, rockers Cash Savage & The Last Drinks will play a matinee performance at the wonderfully quaint, 100-year-old Bullarto Village Hall with support from The Peep Tempel’s Blake Scott; while Saturday evening will see internationally celebrated bluesman C.W. Stoneking take to the grand Daylesford Town Hall stage supported by Harmony Byrne.
On Sunday 17 July, Melbourne alt-country legends The Luke Sinclair Set will perform at the 1890-built Glenlyon Town Hall supporting cosmic country star Freya Josephine Hollick, and the series will culminate with an afternoon performance by high-energy seven-piece soul-jazz ensemble Jazz Party at the superb Palais Hepburn Theatre.
Audiences can choose to purchase tickets for one or all of the five performances, while enjoying local wine and food in dedicated pop-up bars at each of the venues.
FRIDAY 15 JULY
Daylesford Uniting Church
Emma Donovan & The Putbacks supported by Fenn Wilson – doors open 6.30pm
SATURDAY 16 JULY
Bullarto Village Hall
Cash Savage & The Last Drinks supported by Blake Scott (The Peep Tempel) –
doors open 12.30pm
Daylesford Town Hall
C.W. Stoneking supported by Harmony Byrne – doors open 6.30pm
SUNDAY 17 JULY
Glenlyon Town Hall
Freya Josephine Hollick supported by The Luke Sinclair Set – doors open 10.30am
Palais Hepburn Springs
Jazz Party – doors open 1.30pm
Winter Sounds takes place from 15 to 17 July across a variety of venues in Daylesford and surrounds. Tickets available now from wintersounds.com.au