Dashville Skyline, the Hunter Valley’s very own Cosmic Country Weekender, returns bigger and better in 2016. Following the success of last year’s inaugural event, the festival will again be nestled in the pristine bushland oasis affectionately known as ‘Dashville’.
This year’s line-up for the boutique Americana celebration boasts an Australian rock icon, international guests and a stellar array of our nation’s new generation of songwriters.
Leading the festival’s roster is Brian Cadd, a man who is bonafide music royalty. He has been a prolific songwriter since the late ‘60s, was a member of The Groop and Axiom, and also the keyboardist for The Flying Burrito Brothers throughout the ‘90s. His songs have been performed by an incredible list of artists including Joe Cocker, Ringo Starr, Glen Campbell, Gene Pitney and Charlie Daniels. His solo hits include ‘Ginger Man’ and ‘Keep On Rockin’’, and with Axiom, ‘A Little Ray of Sunshine’. His Dashville Skyline performance promises to be one for the ages.
Festival organiser Matt Johnston talks about this inclusion: “Brian Cadd is an absolute living legend. For me I think he represents a huge part of what this festival is about… supreme songwriting”
Cadd is joined on the Skyline line-up by San Franciscan folk and bluegrass band, The Brothers Comatose. Led with sweet and furious energy by the Morrison brothers, Ben and Alex, the five-piece has been whipping American music lovers into a frenzy. Now they’re heading to Dashville to continue their feel-good pilgrimage.
One of Australia’s finest folk and country ensembles, The Wilson Pickers, have overcome the hardship of member Danny Widdicombe’s leukaemia diagnosis, and returned to the studio to record a much anticipated new record. The dynamic, virtuosic group consists of Ben Salter, Andrew Morris, Widdicombe, Sime Nugent and John Bedggood.
Since her show at last year’s inaugural Dashville Skyline, Melody Pool has released her second album Deep Dark Savage Heart, which may prove to be the best Australian record of the year. The Kurri Kurri songwriter, now based in Melbourne, will make a triumphant return to Dashville again in 2016, this time accompanied by her esteemed backing band.
The bumper first round Skyline announcement is rounded out by Melbourne’s Americana heroes, Raised by Eagles, country rockers The Hello Morning, Perth’s gifted songwriter Davey Craddock and his band The Spectacles, dreamy chanteuse Jess Ribeiro, Woodburn’s banjo-slingin’ balladeer Karl S. Williams, the formidable presence of Skyscraper Stan and the Commission Flats, Irish-born, Canadian-based songwriter Irish Mythen, and Tamworth’s angel-voiced troubadour Andy Golledge Band.
This year’s event will also see the return of the immensely popular Sunset Super Round, which proved to be a “jewel in Skyline’s crown”. Last year, artists on the bill stepped on to the main stage to pay homage to their favourite songwriters. The audience was treated to Holy Holy’s full-blooded cover of Neil Young’s ‘Southern Man’, Melody Pool and Ruby Boots’ duet on Lucinda Williams’ classic ‘Fruits of My Labor’ and William Crighton’s dark take on Neil Diamond’s ‘Solitary Man’.
Dashville Skyline also remains a celebration of American cars, culture and cuisine. Expect an impressive array of food, craft beers and other indulgences.
Organisers have shifted this year’s Skyline to a Friday and Saturday, with a Sunday wind-down similar to that enjoyed at this year’s Gum Ball.
DASHVILLE SKYLINE 2016
Brian Cadd + The Brothers Comatose (USA) + The Wilson Pickers + Melody Pool + Raised by Eagles + The Hello Morning + Jess Ribeiro + Davey Craddock & the Spectacles + Karl S. Williams +, Skyscraper Stan and the Commission Flats + Irish Mythen (CA) + Andy Golledge Band + more to be announced.
The festival runs from Friday, September 30 to Sunday, October 2, 2016