Saturday's Live Music Line-up
This year’s festival promises an impressive celebration of musical talent, showcasing an eclectic mix of genres that perfectly blend soulful folk and indie-pop to rhythmic beats. With a lineup featuring both emerging stars and established artists, festival-goers are in for a treat.
Kicking off from 12pm on Saturday 8 February, get there early and grab a bite to eat and drink from the Garden Bar then settle in for an afternoon of unforgettable live Australian music.
Pierce Brothers
Closing out the festival with their roots-infused sound, the Pierce Brothers offer a fusion of folk, Americana, and rock with a laid-back yet infectious energy. Their harmonies and acoustic-driven music provide a perfect antidote to the fast-paced world, drawing the audience into a sense of nostalgia and joy.
Melbourne indie folk stars Pierce Brothers are celebrating 10 years of their breakout EP The Night Tree with a huge Australian tour in 2025. The tour marks the EP's first-ever vinyl release, packed with new tracks and a live B-side. Having just come off the back of supporting James Blunt at sold out arenas around Australia, this is sure to sell out quick!
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Steph Strings
A multi-talented singer-songwriter from Melbourne, Steph Strings fuses classical influences with modern pop and folk sensibilities with influences from John Butler Tria, Kim Churchill and Ziggy Alberts. Her performances showcase technical prowess and emotional depth, creating an intimate atmosphere that draws listeners into her world. This young storyteller has combined fingerstyle guitar with bursts of percussion, Celtic, blues and folk. A true musical virtuoso, Steph’s stage presence is magnetic.
Steph’s latest release is her EP ‘Cradle Mountain’. In support of the EP Steph carried out her largest Australian headline tour to date with the majority of the shows selling out, including Melbourne’s iconic Corner Hotel. Steph also performed Internationally, touring headline venues and major festivals in Canada, including sold out shows and performances at Winnipeg Folk Festival. Steph also supported The Cat Empire on their European Tour in 2023 as well as opening for Vance Joy across huge shows in Europe, and most recently Ziggy Alberts on his huge European tour.
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Ausecuma Beats
For those seeking a rhythmic escape, Ausecuma Beats will take listeners on an infectious journey of Afrobeat, funk, and soul. Fusing traditional African rhythms with contemporary sounds, this band’s groove-laden set is sure to get festival-goers dancing and celebrating the power of rhythm.
Ausecuma Beats are more than just a band, they are a philosophy. Led by their fearless bandleader and master djembe player, Boubacar Gaye, the nine-strong ensemble demonstrate what can happen when a group of artists come together based on an idea - in this case, the idea of transplanting cultural heritage into a contemporary city. The band showcases what happens when people from the farthest flung corners of the world find themselves living shoulder to shoulder in a new environment. The result - nine unique individuals, each masters of their own craft and with their own personal histories, working together to create something exciting. This is the sound of our community.
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George & Noriko
George & Noriko break all the rules. A duo that combines traditional and contemporary styles, George & Noriko's performances explore the intersection of classical and jazz influences. Their intimate soundscapes, built around piano and violin, create an atmosphere of warmth and introspection, offering a musical journey that is both classical and refreshingly modern, delivering a show that’s unique and unexpected.
Known as the Japanese Blues Cowboy and the Tsugaru shamisen player, they have been kicking up a storm wherever they play. George’s lightning-fast blues licks & growling harmonica enhanced by Noriko’s percussive sounds of the traditional shamisen (Japanese banjo) has morphed into a kind of bluegrass hard country blues with a Japanese twist.
The duo has won numerous awards and critical acclaim, featured on national TV, toured internationally, and have over a combined 50 million views on their YouTube channels! “Sounds like Ry Cooder fell into a barrel of sake and came out fighting.” - Timber and Stee
Lotte Gallagher
Impressing triple j tastemakers and earning a coveted top-five finalist spot in their Unearthed High 2023 competition, 17-year-old singer/songwriter Lotte Gallagher is a stand-out talent amongst the country’s next generation of alt-rock stars.
An artistic soul with an air of blasé vengeance, Lotte’s sound is reminiscent of genre leaders Phoebe Bridgers, Angie McMahon and Courtney Barnett. Lotte's 2023 debut 'Adam' encapsulated her bold arrival on the scene – fitted with punchy guitars and an indie lead riff, and backed by the lyricism and powerful vocal performance of an artist well beyond her years.
With her smooth and captivating indie-pop sound, Lotte Gallagher brings a refreshing take on modern pop music. Her tender vocals and introspective lyrics will resonate with audiences, offering a perfect blend of light and dark tones that are both personal and universal. Lotte Gallagher is a force to be reckoned with – a phenomenal artist with the drive to become a true star of her generation
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Queenie
Queenie is the trash queen alter-ego of Melbourne musician Eloise Thetford. Slaying her way as fearless performer who wears her heart on her sleeve. Her debut album, New Moult was released on 30 August 2024 via Cheersquad Records & Tapes/Believe and debuted at Number 19 on the ARIA Charts (Australia) and Number 3 on the AIR Charts, being added to rotation on Australia radio nationally including Double J.
Her live shows shake, shudder and smoulder with fiery charisma and freewheeling stagecraft whether she’s performing solo or with her band, a rogues gallery of Melbourne’s finest musicians.
Beneath all the sizzle, though, is a unique and powerful voice: tender one moment and visceral the next, Thetford can soar from Emmy-Lou Harris to Mariah Carey at the drop of a hat, launching her deeply emotive songwriting into the stratosphere like a rocket strapped to a Cadillac.
A rising star with an undeniable presence, Queenie is set to electrify the crowd with her vibrant and genre-defying sound. Merging pop, R&B, and electronic elements, her performances are known for their high-energy, boundary-pushing creativity. Fans can expect to hear tracks that showcase her dynamic vocal range and innovative production.
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Natasha Kate
Natasha Kate is a singer/songwriter from the Mornington Peninsula. Known for her soulful voice and immersive storytelling, Natasha Kate brings her unique blend of indie and folk to the festival. Expect an emotional journey through her poignant lyrics and atmospheric arrangements that captivate and engage.
At sixteen-years-old she debuted her first single ‘Treading Water’ in July, and released her second single ‘Chore’ in December . Natasha has been writing songs since early childhood, with lyricism driving her passion for music. Though inspired by the likes of Missy Higgins, Noah Kahan, Lizzy McAlpine & Pheobe Bridgers, she has a distinct sound of her own. Natasha Kate combines acoustic sounds and instruments with powerful vocals, putting a fresh take on folk music.
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