Returning in style after a year off, the popular Hunter Valley camping festival is set for return to Dashville this coming 22-24 April 2016.
With what organisers are calling a huge achievement for the long running boutique festival, Australian rock’ n ‘roll royalty, You Am I lead an impressive list of diverse acts coming along to play in 2016.
Knockout soul rock powerhouse Dan Sultan will also be there with his band, along with international guitar virtuoso Jeff Lang, Melbourne’s ‘voice of an angel’ Suzannah Espie and Sydney Hip Hop super star Citizen Kay.
Diverse live music and art has always been a trademark for The Gum Ball and with the line up for 2016, it’s clear that the family friendly BYO festival is sticking with the formula. It’s no secret that Gum Ball is one of our favourites festivals, and we think it should be one of yours too! That’s why with help from the organisers we’ve collated a list of just what makes this weekend in April so special.
Dashville Progress Society
This is a band built up by heart and soul, featuring a fluctuating cast of over 20 peeps on stage, 4pm Saturday is the point where even the toughest leg tappers will guarantee your lose your shit to dance.
The DPS pride themselves on tackling nothing but the biggest and best songs ever written from The Boss, to Grand Master Flash, Bowie to Lemme. There is a small Dashville policy that if anyone can pick the complete set list in advance they get free entry to the festival.
Dashville’s Showers
Hand built permanent by the boys themselves, mainly from recycled materials. It’s those outdoor showers where the water just teams over your head from above like if it were a fountain, with a strict no wankers policy, three minutes in there could be the best 3 mins of your weekend, if not life.
The Bird Bath
Yes the festival is BYO, but what better way to drink responsibly, than with one of the best cocktails, boutique beers, local organic wines and spirit selection that you could possibly stock… Why maybe even have a hit of pool while you’re there perhaps.
Proper Bush Camping
Not what you might see on a postcard, but proper bush camping, like in the bush with trees and stuff. And better to this is the fact you can bring whatever you want, get comfortable and simply roll back and forth between your camp and festival as you please. Bloody heaven on earth it is.
Silent Disco
So when the main stages shut down at midnight, the real party kicks in… Silent disco keeps everyone pumping ’til around 3am both Friday and Saturday nights with a few gun party DJs playing nothing but the best bangers and party tunes.
Late Night Jams Around the Fire
If silent disco isn’t your thing, then hop along to one for the many little fire pits and sing a weary sing along song with the musos that also delight in such pleasures. P.S: No bongos permitted, strings only.
Food
So much great food… Stuff like Crispy Crab rolls and beef cheek baos. We challenge you to find a better burger in the world than what the NightHawk Diner do consistently. Camping doesn’t have to equal bush tucker.
The Rest Of The Line Up
Have you look into it? Its seriously got something for everyone, Astro Traveller’s hip hop is all time, Jeff Lang’s skills are unbelievable, Polish Club, William Crighton, Baghead…all blow aways. You need to check out the Soundcloud or Spotify playlists. Dashville has it down pat when it comes to programming.
Yoga Mornings
What other way to repair oneself then with a bit of light stretching in the rising sun.. This is where the true party pros will be getting set for another big day 8-10am. Don’t like Yoga.. Well same time the breakfast stage will be in full swing!
Skateboarding demos
So Dashville has a permanent halfpipe on sight. And the dude that built it 15 years ago, brings a tribe of some of the best local skaters to show us all how it’s done. It’s pretty impressive and very very cool.
Got Kids?
This is probably the best festival to bring your kids too. They can run around all day, craft workshops and activities, reptile show, live performers, circus games. At night one of the big play spaces turns into a child minding facility so mum and dad can have a bit of boogie time.
All photos taken from the Gumball Facebook page.
FESTIVAL 2016 LINEUP
You Am I
Dan Sultan
Jeff Lang
The Cactus Channel
Van Walker’s Heart Brokers
Citizen Kay
Dan Brodie
Bullhorn
Suzannah Espie
Polish Club
Caitlin Park
Astro Travellers
The Buzzard Mix
THE GUM BALL MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL 2016 DATES & TICKETS
22nd – 24th April 2016
Lower Belford NSW
Tickets from Ticketbooth
