Gloomy cloud cover and a sprinkling of rain couldn’t keep music lovers away from the final day out at the Echuca-Moama Winter Blues Festival for 2022.
Festival regulars and newcomers alike were out in force over the weekend to soak up the sounds, including some of our home grown talents.
Chloe Schuliga has been to the festival many times before, both as a performer and as a spectator.
“I’ve been playing in the festival since I was in high school,” she said.
“I participated in the Blues Boot Camp, which gave me the experience and confidence to go out into the music scene and also be a part of the winter blues festival as an independent artist.
“I’ve been coming to the blues festival since I was a little girl and absolutely fell in love with the atmosphere, the music, and the experience that blues creates.”
Ms Schuliga performed on the Homegrown Stage at this year’s festival on Saturday and said the crowds flowed around all day.
“There was always at least someone stopping and checking out the local artists which is amazing to see,” she said.
“I love interacting with the crowd, giving them a smile and showing them different types of blues music.
“As a musician it’s amazing to see people dance and fall in love with the music you’re making.
“The whole weekend was an an incredible experience and exactly what the town needed.
“As much as it takes a toll on the hospitality workers, I would absolutely love to see more festivals like this — jazz, country — because it brings the whole town together, and we have such a big music scene.
“I’d love to see a lot more of the young musicians getting up too and give them some opportunities to use their talents — we have such a talented town.”
Kathryn Stewart has attended many times before as part of the hospitality teams in our local venues, but this is the first time she’s been able to relax and enjoy the music.
“I will always jump at the chance to see Creek play live in Echuca, and Andrew Farrell, the Piano Wizard,” she said.
“I figured it was about time I experienced the festival that puts our town on the map, and the sun was shining when we first came down, it's been a good day for a walk and to just hang out with mates.”
Ms Stewart encouraged locals and visitors alike to be kind to those behind the bar who make the festival a success.
“Please be nice to the bar staff. This weekend is absolutely crazy and they're all putting in 200 per cent,” she said.
David Callanan is also usually a familiar face helping out as a volunteer at the festival, but this year managed to have a moment to soak up the music with friends, new and old.
“This year we went along to just enjoy the festival,” he said.
“My role this year has been bringing the guitar competition together, and then to get out and about and enjoy the festival.
“We were standing there with a group of people we didn’t know, and struck up a conversation and found that we had a lost connection there.”
Mr Callanan couldn’t say whether the numbers were up or down on previous festivals, but praised Jon Howell, the festival’s music co-ordinator, for the quality of the programming.
“We’ll be waiting to see where the numbers were, but it was very accessible — all of the venues were easy to get into and the crowd’s behaviour was terrific,” he said.
“There were so many great acts, the music co-ordinator Jon Howell did a terrific job of getting all of the acts going and there didn’t seem to be any issues, it was pretty well done.
“It was just a good fun-filled weekend.”
Mr Callanan said the rain on Sunday afternoon did not stop the crowds from getting amongst the music and festivities.
“We managed to find a bit of undercover with the rain, but it didn’t do much to dampen the enthusiasm of anybody, people might have got wet, but it didn’t matter.”
Chelsea Atkins is also a festival regular, and has become friends with some of the performers that attend the festival.
“I’ve been coming for four or five years, and I’ve got friends who play in 19Twenty, and The Lachy Doley Group, who’ve returned this year,” she said.
“The first year they came they played about 12 gigs in the whole weekend so they’re happy to get a little break, but it’s great to see them back.
“We’ve also seen the Phil Para Band, who were great too, and my Dad used to watch him play when he was in his 20s.”
Pete Cornelius played both solo shows and with a three-piece band over the course of the festival.
“I’ve loved the festival, it’s been a great hang,” he said.
“It’s great to see some blues’ lovers out and about and to hang out with and see some really great musicians.
“It’s such a beautiful part of the world too, it’s nice to get out of the big smoke and hang out on the river.
“I think the first time we were here we played on one of the old paddleboats, which was really iconic, sitting on the back of the boat cruising down the river.”
Mr Cornelius said he had enjoyed the crowd’s support over the festival, both in his solo shows and with the band.
“This is my third Echuca Winter Blues Festival, and if they’ll have us back, we’ll come back, don’t you worry,” he said.
“The crowds have been really supportive, and I’ve had at least 10 different groups of people come up to me and say they saw me somewhere else and they’ve come back.
“I find that the crowds are supportive and if they like what you do they will follow you around.”
Echuca Police described the 2022 festival as a safe and successful event.
Acting Senior Sergeant Justin McAuley said although there was a fairly large police presence at the event with officers sourced from Bendigo, the event ran smoothly.
“From our perspective, we’re very happy with the overall results of the weekend. The crowd was well behaved, no assaults were reported and everyone enjoyed themselves,” he said.