The Apollo Bay Music Festival
27-29 March 2009, Apollo Bay
Have you ever been to a seaside town on a busy weekend and just been walking down the street to find a busker every 10 metres? Well this is the sight you'd expect to see at the Apollo Bay Music Festival which was held on 27-29 March 2009.
Including more than 70 acts over the weekend involving young performers, buskers and local musicians as well as national and international headliners, there was definitely something there for everyone. Located in the middle of Apollo Bay, situated right on the ocean, this festival really captures the beautiful surroundings and views that are evident everywhere you look around Apollo Bay.
Comprising 10 stages (and only two tents) the atmosphere was different for each venue, which included the likes of a church, the bowls club and the mechanics institute.
Headlining the festival were mainly Australian acts including the likes of Tex Perkins and his Ladyboyz, Stephen Cummings, Joe Camilleri, Nicky Bomba and Nick Barker. Internationally renowned Peter Buck (the guitarist from R.E.M.) also made an appearance with Robyn Hitchcock and the Venus 3 on Saturday night.
On late Saturday afternoon the festival held a theme concert showcasing the songs of Tom Waits. The concert featured the likes of Karma County, Nick Barker, Boo Hewerdine (UK) and others. This was a means for the audience to be able to view a snapshot of the talent at the festival in one venue.
The absolute highlight of the weekend for me was when Nicky Bomba appeared at the back of the tent leading a group of kids he had recruited off the streets. They were all making a drum beat with saucepans and lids threading their way through the crowd to the stage where they joined the members of the King Marong and Afro Mandinko percussion band to belt out the classic hit "Big In Japan". This had the whole crowd on their feet clapping and dancing.
The Apollo Bay Buskers and Young Performers competitions are now highly contested. All genres of buskers are to be found on each street corner throughout the town. There are prizes for different categories and these are voted for by the patrons of the Festival. Those entered in the Young Performers have a chance of winning a Fender Guitar. There is also a Young Songwriters Award and this year as well was the inaugural "I wanna play Apollo Bay" songwriting competition adjudicated by ABC radio.
The surprise packet of the festival was without a doubt the Canadian fiddle playing and energetic step dancing genius of April Verch, playing at the bowls club on the Sunday afternoon. They (April and her band) really put on a great show full of folk ballads and fast French Canadian songs, ending with a step dancing and spoon playing contest!
Apollo Bay was a really good festival full of great vibes and music, I rate Apollo Bay Music Festival, a 3 out of 5.
