Boasting an incredible lineup of Australian and international talent, anticipation is high for the Wanderer Festival, coming to the Sapphire Coast, September 23-25, 2022.
Leading the first-round music announcement are Ziggy Alberts, DMA’s, The Teskey Brothers, Winston Surfshirt, scorching US soul singer Curtis Harding, legendary pop surrealists The Dandy Warhols, and many more (see below).
Wanderer Programmer Simon Daly and Arts Program Curator Ian Pidd have ensured a strong focus on local talent across the three days of the festival.
“It’s been a real pleasure meeting up with the incredible artists living here on the Coast,” Mr Pidd said.
“I’m really thrilled with the work we are programming from these artists this year, and look forward to showcasing more over coming festival’s,” he said.
“Those visitors unaware of the remarkable cultural capacity of this community are in for a treat!”
Some of the superb local artists who’ll grace the music and arts stages include:
Anactoria, Bega Sound Collective, Bega Valley Men’s Choir, Benji and the Saltwater Soundsystem (pictured at top), The Big Lost Band, Cephalopods, Djinama Yilaga, Felicity Dowd (pictured at bottom of page), Gabadu, Heath Cullen (pictured second from top), Robyn Martin (pictured below), Sam’s Caravan, Shaquille Aldridge and the Duruunu Miru Dancers, The Scaramouche, We Shaped Up Like This.
Candelo-based musician, Robyn Martin (pictured above) told East Coast Radio she is thrilled to be performing alonside some major international acts in her own backyard.
“I’m totally pinching myself,” Martin said with a laugh.
“I used to go to Woodford up north and festivals on that scale and getting to see that level of high profile artist is another world experience,” she said.
“We do have an incredible network of local musicians down here (on the Far South Coast) and to be able to come together in that platform alongside those world-renowned artists, it’s going to be such a buzz and a much needed boost for the community.
“We represent pretty well on the South Coast from Anactoria which is edgy rock-pop music that’s got harp, digital drums and shredding electric guitar, through to Gabadu, who’s an incredible Bermagui-based hip-hop artists, who is a class rapper.
“Then you’ve got Djinama Yilaga who are getting standing ovations everywhere they go to the reggae-groove sound of Benji and the Saltwater Soundsystem.
“Heath Cullen is kind of folk-rock who has done incredibel things, then the teenager, Felicity Dowd, who is an amazing storyteller, she’s been getting a lot of awards and recognition and she is just an incredible and down to earth person.”
Other highlights will include:
Big Lost Band – Co-ordinated by Bega based musician Tamlyn Magee, and Dean Gray of Wolumna Music School, this massive rock and roll band is made from community musicians from across the Sapphire Coast. Featuring players from many of the wonderful music departments of the schools in the region, including Eden Marine High School, Lumen Christi Catholic College and Wolumna Primary School. Open rehearsals will be held across the region in the month leading up to the festival.
Bega Sound Collective – Playing late night cool DJ sessions.
Cephalopods – The roving party piece that has longed for legs has emerged from the swamps to celebrate new terrain! Referencing all the swamplands from New Orleans to Naarm. This 6-piece brass band created by Melbourne based trombone maestro Ros Jones, will be joined by a host of local Sapphire Coast brass and percussion players. Put your squid arms on and follow the party – they will blast their way through the festival at unexpected times, in unexpected places!
Sam’s Caravan – An intimate music and performance stage run by Candello based musician and music educator Sam Martin. This stage will feature many shows from our visiting and local performance and music program and will also function as a broadcast studio over the course of the whole weekend. In the evenings Sam’s Caravan will showcase a curated program of emerging talent.
Welcome to Country – The Welcome To Country will be spoken by Auntie Glenda Dixon, and the smoking and dancing will be performed by Shaquille Aldridge and the Duruunu Miru Dancers from Eden.
We Shaped Up Like This – Bec Reid will feature local dance schools in her We Shaped Up Like This program. Bec will be assisted by Bega Valley’s wonderful youth dance company Fling.
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Wanderer Festival heralds a new genre of boutique festival: a multi-day, multi-generation celebration of music, art, culture and place on the Sapphire Coast – founded on the core tenets of sustainability, community and creativity. The festival pays its deep respects to the Djiringanj people of the Yuin Nation upon whose land it gathers.
Simon Daly has created some of Australia’s most unique musical and cultural experiences including The Falls Music & Arts and The Lost Lands. Wanderer features a music line-up that transcends genre and demographic, and a truly diverse arts program that brings together theatre, comedy, circus and cultural workshops.
Wanderer is a festival for everyone – with different stages, spaces and campgrounds created purposefully for all. The region offers excellent off-site accommodation options for those preferring to stay beach front, hinterland or in town.
Wanderer Festival is proudly supported by the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.
The Sapphire Coast region is home to a vibrant creative community, the spirit upon which the festival is founded. It also promises to be one of the most unique festival experiences in Australia, luring visitors to one of the country’s most inspiring destinations.
Image Credit: Benji and the Saltwater Soundsystem, Felicity Dowd, Robyn Martin, Heath Cullen
