There’s something magical about live music under the open sky; sunshine, great tunes, and a crowd that turns strangers into friends.
Sure, it was 35 degrees, and we were melting faster than a Golden Gaytimes on a hot day, but that didn’t stop the crowd from coming out in full force. Hats, sunscreen, and a determined spirit were the order of the day. Mt Duneed Estate, with its sprawling vineyards and knack for hosting unforgettable gigs, proved once again why it’s become a beloved spot for music lovers across Geelong, the Surf Coast and Bellarine.
A Day on the Green:
- Charlie Needs Braces
- CMAT
- Sierra Ferrell
- Band of Horses
- The Teskey Brothers
Keep up with the latest music news, festivals, interviews and reviews here.
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We arrived just in time to catch the tail end of Charlie Needs Braces. Charlie Woods, a proud GuriNgai woman, took the stage alongside her sister Miri. Together, they created an immersive experience through harmonies, loops, and stories deeply grounded in First Nations heritage. Charlie’s music was a lovely fusion of culture and creativity, reminding us of the power of connection. I found myself wondering, “What else does she have in store?” I’ll definitely be adding Saltwater People to my playlist.
Next up was CMAT, and from the moment she bounded on stage, the energy shifted. The Irish singer-songwriter and her five-piece band, all rocking matching CMAT shirts, brought pure, unfiltered joy. CMAT’s vibrant energy was contagious, with a crowd of loyal Irish fans waving their flags proudly under the blaring sun. What struck me most about CMAT was her effortless balance between humour and heart. She turned a scorching Australian summer afternoon into a playful, joyous celebration.
Hits like Aw, Shoot and Stay for Something had the crowd moving, while I Wanna Be a Cowboy, Baby! saw fans singing along with wild abandon. And then came the Allen’s Lollies moment; a fan tossed her a packet of iconic Aussie lollies, and the genuine excitement on CMAT’s face made the crowd fall in love with her even more. It was a sweet, spontaneous moment that reminded us that live music is as much about connection as it is about the songs. CMAT didn’t just perform; she invited the audience into her world, where Irish wit and Aussie warmth danced together under the summer sun.
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And then there was Sierra Ferrell. If you could bottle charm, sprinkle in a touch of mischief, and tie it all together with an irresistible magnetic energy, you’d have her in a heartbeat. Now, I’m the first to admit my playlist is usually a mix of hip-hop, classical, indie, and a bit of everything else. However, country doesn’t often make the cut. But Sierra Ferrell? Well, she might just have changed that. She took the stage in a starry cowboy hat that practically screamed, “I’m here to enchant you with my West Virginia charm,” Her stage presence was magnetic, as though she was weaving us through tales of love, loss, and late-night kitchen conversations. Her version of Me and Bobby McGee was a love letter to the greats who came before her (R.I.P. Janis Joplin). But what set Sierra apart was the heart behind her music, the undeniable feeling that she had lived and was sharing her own story. It was clear in every note, every sway of her starry cowboy hat.
Naturally, I couldn’t resist a deep dive into her story after the show, and it turns out, it’s as captivating as her voice. She’s lived a life you’d expect to find in a novel: hitchhiking across states, hopping freight trains, and calling a van home while busking her way from Seattle to New Orleans (and you can hear the New Orleans influence). Between songs, Sierra’s words enveloped the crowd like a warm embrace, soft and soothing, much like the golden light spilling across the vineyard. Again and again, she urged us to take care of one another, to have each other’s backs because, as she playfully put it, “our leaders sure don’t”. Her message blended sincerity and wit, a dose of real talk that had us laughing, nodding, and maybe reflecting a little deeper on the world around us. By the end of her set, she’d given us more than just music—she’d given us a moment.
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Next up, we had Band of Horses. As a fan, I had high hopes. There were moments of brilliance with classic songs like The Funeral and No One’s Gonna Love You had the crowd swaying, but overall, the set felt uneven. Forgotten lyrics and a couple of hiccups disrupted the flow, making it harder to fully lose ourselves in the magic. It wasn’t a bad performance at all, but it didn’t quite hit the same emotional mark after the high-energy sets that came before. Still, their haunting melodies carried through, reminding us why Band of Horses holds a special place in many playlists, even if it didn’t reach its full potential on the day.
Closing out the festival was the headliner: Australia’s soulful siblings, The Teskey Brothers. And, boy, did they deliver. Their unique blend of jazzy and blues captivated the audience from the first note. Their performance felt authentic, like sharing stories with an old friend you haven’t seen in a while, but told through Josh Teskey’s rich, gravelly vocals and Sam Teskey’s masterful guitar work.
The atmosphere shifted as the sweltering day gave way to a cooler, golden evening. The sunset painted the sky in hues of orange, casting a spell over Mt Duneed Estate. Couples swayed to the rhythm, children danced freely in the open spaces, and hands waved in unison. It was the kind of magic that only live music, under an open sky, can create.
Halfway through their set, the brothers pulled us in for a moment of pure magic with Carry Me Home, an acoustic gem that had us all leaning in as twilight settled around us. It was a ‘campfire song’ in every sense: raw, stripped-back, and inspiring like they were playing just for us under the stars. But it wasn’t all quiet moments; The Teskey Brothers knew how to keep the energy alive. Their jazzy, soulful sound took on a hypnotic quality as they seamlessly transitioned through tracks from their latest album, The Winding Way. Standouts like Take My Heart and London Bridge showcased their technical prowess and their ability to connect with the crowd on a deeper level.
As the evening drew to a close, the crowd begged for more, and The Teskeys Brothers obliged. Returning for a double encore, they played Forever You and Me before closing the night with Hold Me. The final notes rang out, and the audience harmonised alongside the band, creating a moment that felt like it belonged to everyone there. As the last notes hung in the warm night air, it was clear: The Teskey Brothers had captivated the crowd with awe and delight
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The magic continues with:
A Day On The Green with The Teskey Brothers, Band of Horses, Sierra Ferrell, CMAT and Charlie Needs Braces
- Saturday 18 January – Bimbadgen, Hunter Valley, NSW
- Sunday 19 January – Sirromet Wines, Mount Cotton, QLD
- Tickets on sale now from Ticketmaster.
Band of Horses only Australian headline show
- Wednesday 15 January, Enmore Theatre
- Tickets on sale now from Ticketek.