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Brewing eloquently in the depths of the Hunter Valley countryside is the 9th chapter of Australia’s very own Cosmic Country Weekender, Dashville Skyline.

Held over the October Long weekend, Friday 29th September,  Saturday 30th and Sunday 1st October 2023, on the hallowed ‘island in the stream’, Dashville, in Wonnarua Country, Hunter Valley, NSW.

This is more than a country music festival. Dashville Skyline is a well orchestrated musical feast which casually meanders its way across a vast open country landscape, with a sky above full of stars and songs and every step below another rabbit hole.

Please welcome the first portion of acts coming along to join in the fun.

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TC JONES

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Dashville is stoked to announce that Australia’s supreme sister duo Vika & Linda will be coming along with their band The Bullettes, we welcome back legendary songwriter and frontman Tim Rogers, this time with his delectable band The Twin Set.

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TIM ROGERS AND THE TWIN SET

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Other notable inclusions in the first round include the powerful blues soul of Karen Lee Andrews, popular folk blues rockers Hussy Hicks and the hugely talented songwriter Jack Davies all the way from Western Australia. Geelong based Bones and Jones who blew us away with their take on 60s rock n roll at The Gum Ball will make their debut Skyline appearance.

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SWEET TALK

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Whilst there’ll be some hefty fresh discoveries in 2023’s line up, such as Queenie, New Zealand’s Jenny Mitchell and T.C. Jones, there’s also a few familiar faces returning from past iterations, including the vintage southern rock sounds of Melbourne’s Sweet Talk, alt-rockers The Settlement, Northern River’s country punks Jimmy Willing & The Real Gone Hick Ups and Echuca born wildman Watty Thompson, back with his debut album and incredible Total Fire Band.

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HUSSY HICKS

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The family friendly camping festival is a favourite for those who like their music a bit more laid back, perhaps a bit of cool oozed over their country, or feel in their folk. The popular festival is chock a block full of amazing live shows from hand-picked artists from around Australia and the world, with a myriad of artistic collaborations, family activities and laid back old-school country-inspired fun.

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JACKDAVIES

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A favourite for music purists out there and for anyone looking to discover their next favourite band. A favourite for young families looking to get back into an easy camping festival adventure.

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BONES & JONES

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Scouring the musical landscape to bring our dedicated audience a fine selection of musical legends and modern head-turners, the hardworking team at Dashville are pleased to reveal the first taste of the great ‘Cosmic Country Weekender’ line up.

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QUEENIE

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Please welcome:

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DASHVILLE 2023 FIRST ROUND LINE-UP:

VIKA & LINDA WITH THE BULLETTES + TIM ROGERS & THE TWIN SET + KAREN LEE ANDREWS + SWEET TALK + HUSSY HICKS + BONES AND JONES + JACK DAVIES + QUEENIE + MAGPIE DIARIES + JOHN FLANAGAN + BABITHA + HANA AND JESSIE-LEE’S BAD HABITS + WATTY THOMPSON + JENNY MITCHELL (NZ) + CJ STRANGER + JIMMY WILLING & THE REAL GONE HICK UPS + THE SETTLEMENT + WILLIE J & THE BAD BOOKS + KINGSLEY JAMES + T.C. JONES + MORE TO COME

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Some artists in focus:

Vika & Linda – You can’t beat siblings singing together, Paul Kelly observed when Vika & Linda released their 2020 anthology, ‘Akilotoa. “They make the air beat in sync.”
It comes naturally to Melbourne’s Bull sisters – they’ve been singing together their entire lives, starting in church with their mother, Siniva, who came to Australia as a nursing student in 1959. “Tongans by nature are fun, always laughing, always eating, always singing and always praying,” Vika explains. A snapshot of the highlights: After three classic albums with The Black Sorrows, Vika & Linda have released six studio albums, two live albums and a chart-topping anthology. They have also sung on number one albums by Paul Kelly, Kasey Chambers and John Farnham, done gigs for the Dalai Lama, Nelson Mandela and the King of Tonga, and been nominated for four ARIA Awards.

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VIKA LINDA

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Karen Lee Andrews – Karen’s songcraft is built on a thorough knowledge of blues, gospel and soul music and motored by an undeniable hunger to connect. Yet the defining ingredient is Karen’s unshakeable artistic passion.  Andrews mostly tours as a formidable trio, teaming up with Yanya Boston on drums and Adam Ventoura on bass – two exceptional musicians. This dynamic band is exhilarating to witness!

“One of the most original and dignified talents to emerge in Australian Entertainment in a long time. She manages to be both imperial yet vulnerable.”   Sydney Morning Herald

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KAREN LEE ANDREWS

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Jenny Mitchell – Multi award winning NZ songwriter Jenny Mitchell is a storyteller with songs wrapped in wisdom and wit. Her music defies easy categorisation but if you admire music by genre-defying artists from Emmylou Harris to Kasey Chambers, you’ll love Jenny Mitchell.

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JENNY MITCHELL

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Watty Thompson – A little bit folk, a little bit country, 100% heart. Watty Thompson has emerged as a powerful, moving and unique folk performer in Australia’s storytelling tradition. With a still-young history of performances having captivated audiences around Victoria, Watty Thompson is set to make his long-awaited return to the stage following the release of his debut album.

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WATTY THOMPSON

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Please note a second line up release and program is anticipated towards the end of June.

A celebration of alternative country music and the surrounding roots culture in its varied forms, the festival gives music lovers the option to purchase single day tickets, or full event three-day passes.

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JIMMY WILLING

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The ultra-chilled countrified camping festival will host over 40 live performances across three stages. Savor mouth-watering American-inspired food and bevvies, trawl the boutique vintage market stalls, visit the music history exhibit, join the animal petting zoo, partake in a guitar-and-car show and shine. These are just a few of the things this great family orientated, long weekend festival offers.

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THE SETTLEMENT

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Held at the same location as The Gum Ball, Dashville Skyline is a popular alternative to its predecessor, providing an amazing experience for alt-country music lovers and those who like to partake in an ultimate weekend escape, full of laid-back music and family fun.

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Follow DASHVILLE SKYLINE
Website – Instagram – Facebook 

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About DASHVILLE SKYLINE

The festival’s name derives from that of Bob Dylan’s 1968 release Nashville Skyline, which lends an impression of the vibe of this festival. It’s a celebration of alternative country, its birth in America during the ‘60s-‘70s, the culture that surrounds the music and the evolution that continues to inspire modern-day songwriters.

One of the main spectacles of the festival is the immensely popular Sunset Super Round. On Saturday at nightfall, artists on the bill merge around the main stage in spontaneous collaboration, to pay homage to their favourite songs of the “golden era”.

Tickets for Dashville Skyline 2023 are on sale now at the Dashville Store.

The festival program extends from Thursday 28th September through to Sunday night, October 1, 2023.

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AMNPLIFY – ML