Riverboats Music Festival returns for 2020 with Bernard Fanning and Something for Kate
Subscribe
X

Subscribe to Forte Magazine

Riverboats Music Festival returns for 2020 with Bernard Fanning and Something for Kate

Nestled on the banks of the Murray River under the hot summer sun, some of the best Australian acts converge on Riverboats stage.

For eight years the likes of Paul Kelly, Kasey Chambers, Missy Higgins, The Cat Empire, Neil Finn, and The Waifs have descended upon Echuca-Moama, and 2020 sees arguably the best line-up yet welcomed to the twin towns.

Renowned singer-songwriter and former Powderfinger frontman Bernard Fanning will headline the February 14-16 event alongside indie-pop, folk and operatic singer Kate Miller-Heidke, Australian rock trio Something for Kate, country staple Troy Casser-Daley and renowned songwriter Archie Roach.

Festival director David Frazer has pulled out all stops for his next instalment of the festival. “We are thrilled to be bringing together a collection of Australian artists representing the absolute cream of the crop,” he says.

“Bernard Fanning has been on our wish list since we started; he’s been our white whale in alluding me for years. I used to send him Christmas Cards every year and I’ve been bugging him manager so it’s fantastic to pin him down as our headliner where he will perform with his full band.

“I grew up with Something for Kate and after Paul Dempsey performed in 2014 and came out for a beer with us afterward; we got to know him really well. It’s an absolute delight to have the band coming up to Echuca and it aligns well with the release of their new album later this year.”

Frazer is thrilled the 2020 line up includes artists from a whole variety of genres.

“Kate Miller-Heidke is one of those truly magnificent voices,” he said. “After Eurovision, she’s on a lot of people’s radars now and she’s performed to standing ovations internationally and around the country. She reflects the diversity of our line up this year as we have a lot of genres on display.

“Archie Roach is a true storyteller coming back this year and he’s definitely in the ranks of our country’s finest wordsmiths. While Troy Casser-Daly is one of our most-beloved country artists with a staggering amount of accolades and number ones.

“Across one weekend, you will really get to see the best of country, Australian rock of the past 20 years and a really interesting mix of up-and-coming contemporary artists.”

Also performing throughout the three days of Riverboats are Dyson Stringer Cloher, Robert Forster, Bob Evans, Mama Kin Spender, Ainslie Wills, Horns of Leroy featuring Thando, Matt Joe Gow and Jess Locke.

The ever-faithful Brian Nankervis will return as the Master of Ceremonies for the festival and will no doubt be armed with his quick wit, musical trivia, and Frisbee.

The intimate Riverboat’s side-show experience has expanded to five acoustic performances onboard the historic Pride of the Murray paddlesteamer. As the only music festival in the country to offer one-hour sets while cruising down the picturesque Mighty Murray, these performances are unmissable.

“With Australia’s most famous river as our backdrop, Riverboats once again provides a welcome tonic to many of the bigger events taking place across the summer months,” Frazer said.

“We can only fit 4000 people under the canopy of red gums so it’s a real opportunity for real lovers of music to relax in front of the one stage.

“If a picnic rug and a good bottle of wine is how you like your festivals these days, come and join us for a weekend on the river.”

Something for Kate Pic

Check out the lineup for Riverboats Music Festival:
Bernard Fanning
Kate Miller-Heidke
Something for Kate
Troy Cassar-Daley
Archie Roach
Dyson Stringer Cloher
Robert Forster
Bob Evans
Mama Kin Spender
Ainslie Wills
Horns of Leroy feat. Thando
Matt Joe Gow
Jess Locke
Festival MC Brian Nankervis

Riverboats Music Festival runs between Friday, February 14 and Sunday, February 16 in Echuca-Moama. Tickets are now on sale for Riverboats Music Festival, February 14-16, 2020 via riverboatsmusic.com.au

Written by Kim Price