Some 4500 attendees flocked to Echuca’s Aquatic Reserve on one of the twin towns’ biggest weekends — for Riverboats Music Festival — from Friday, February 14 to Sunday, February 16.
This year’s festival boasted a stellar line-up, including Ian Moss, The Cruel Sea, Dan Sultan and John Butler.
For event director David Frazer it has been another successful weekend for the festival itself and for Echuca-Moama.
“We just love this community so much,” he said.
“It’s just so nice to see the town full, for accommodation, for retail, business
“That’s why, I think, the community continues to welcome this event year after year.”
In a live music market that has seen the cancellation, end and postponement of once-majorly successful festivals, such as Splendour in the Grass, Groovin’ the Moo and Bluesfest, Mr Frazer counts Riverboats lucky.
“It’s been a really challenging time for a lot of festivals in Australia,” he said.
“I suppose our response to that is to just keep improving it in any way we can.
“Growing the line-ups, growing our sound and light production, just continuing to present the best we can.
“The results speak for themselves. We’re up 15 per cent in terms of our audience on last year, which is virtually unheard of for any festival in Australia at the moment.”
Across the weekend, guests were treated to a range of music styles by artists from across the country, ranging from the alternative rock stylings of Little Birdy, to country duo The Pleasures and roots rock sounds of Skyscraper Stan and the Commission Flats.
Along with the main stage, the PS Pevensey played host to sideshows on Saturday and Sunday, whisking visitors along the Murray as they enjoyed performances by some of the festival’s talented acts.
One act that impressed on ‘the Pev’ was Hana and Jessie-Lee’s Bad Habits, who filled the 1.30pm slot.
“The other four (shows) were sold out and they added us on,” Hana said.
“When we got the email to ask if we wanted to do it, we were all just like ‘oh my god’. It’s the thing I wanted to do most.
“It was like a dream come true and it was such a fun crowd; it was like a party boat.”
Opening on Sunday, Hana was surprised by how big of an audience were up and ready to rock at the duo’s 11am set.
Hana’s experience was been better than she expected, an impressive feat for a festival that was already on her bucket list.
“The whole festival really has totally exceeded my expectations,” she said.
“It’s a real bucket list kind of festival to play, because the line-up’s not huge... so it just feels like such a privilege to be able to play.”
The crowd has been a highlight for Hana, particularly being a smaller act and playing earlier in the day.
“I feel like people are appreciating every single band on the line-up,” she said.
“People aren’t just like ‘oh I’m just going to wander off and do something else’.
“Everyone here is here for every band.”
Historically, visitors to town account for 75 per cent of this supportive crowd, with a strong local contingent making up the other quarter.
This year, 50 per cent of food vendors also hailed from Echuca-Moama, with Bar Lee, Tiamo Twin Flames Pizza, Echuca Football Netball Club’s barbecue, Coffee Addiction and The Port Ice Creamery representing the region strongly.
The event also supports Community Respite and Living Services’ Community Partnerships program, with more than $30,000 raised since 2015.
Attendees have been able to donate to the CLRS Opening Doors Project through a raffle this year.
Looking ahead, Mr Frazer and the crew, including a record 250 volunteers, are constantly preparing for the next festival.
“It’s a matter of dusting ourselves off, doing a few loads of washing, working out what worked and what we can improve on, then getting into planning,” he said.
“I’ve always got ideas for this year and next year and the year after, but it starts immediately as a 12-month labour of love.
“We’re so proud of this weekend and what we’ve been able to do... can’t wait to do it again next year.”
• Here’s all the best images snapped by reporters Ryan Bellingham, Lua Ikenasio, Oliver Shedden and Emily Donohoe from the Riverboats Music Festival weekend.