Jackson McLaren
THE tiny hamlet of Kennedys Creek, nestled in the Otways about 15 kilometres south of Simpson, boasts a fire brigade and a hall.
But more importantly, it has a community spirit that manifests as a music festival each October, drawing a surprisingly strong line-up and a 400-strong crowd.
Driven by a hall committee of about 10 people, the Kennedys Creek Music Festival took a year off last year but is back for its fourth outing on October 27.
Leading the line-up will be Triple J favourites Kingswood, Mailors Flat export and recent Sony Music sign-up Jackson McLaren, Melbourne rockers Dirty York, Geelong’s The Laughing Leaves and Melbourne’s Singing Is For Humans.
Locally connected talent such as The Highwater Ballroom Band, Red Eagle, The Fire Alive, Blackwood Jack, Dan Kirk, and Pete Ewing will also perform, with some mystery music sessions lined up for the Sunday.
The camp-out festival raised money for the upkeep of the Kennedys Creek Hall, but it also brought a great vibe to the sleepy village, hall committee member Glenda Gardner said.
“We had 400 people last time and it was pouring rain and boggy, but everyone loved it,” she said.
“If you like that sort of thing I don’t think the weather deters you.”
Punters have likened the event to the early years of the Meredith Music Festival, which is now regarded as one the country’s leading festivals but started out as small community-led “party”, Ms Gardner said.
“We’ve built a stage now. (The festival’s) under the gum trees and there’s a little hall in the clearing, surrounded by bushland. It’s away from everyone.”
Tickets are available through stickytickets.com or Capricorn Records. Head to the Kennedys Creek Music Festival Facebook page for more details.
mneal@standard.fairfax.com.au
