After a very rainy Friday night in Sydney town, you couldn’t help but think of the punters who had already headed up to Dashville in NSW for the 10th Annual Gumball Festival. However, with thousands of people eager to camp and listen to music, rain could hardly dampen the spirits.
Arriving on Saturday as the little festival town awoke, you could see from the tired eyes and grins that the moisture did not detract from the celebration. Speaking to the hoi polloi on arrival, it was noted that Adrian Edmondson And The Bad Sheperds had delivered a memorable set of punk anthems. Other sleepyheads spoke of the energy of Adalita, Jinja Safari, and late night dancing under the silvery moon. Based on the early morning vibe, day one had been a success.
The simple set-up of the two stages side-by-side and the intimate and relaxing atmosphere surrounding them made for a day of fun. The early Saturday offerings blended from one to the next; the beautiful country songbird Lindi Ortega captivated the morning arrivals, The Lairs delivered a rockabilly swing as the sun tried to peak through the clouds, and some festivalgoers broke into late morning, heart-starting brews. The gathering of young children and teens up front kicked off the dancing with total abandon.
With food and market stalls to keep you satiated and distracted, and like-minded new friends to keep you entertained, the festival gathering emanated a positive vibe at all times. Thanks to the no biff-head policy in place and the ability to bring your own beverages, the event made for an easy-going experience.
As the afternoon evolved, a startling number of humans took to the stage and proceeded to launch into a rousing rendition of ‘Honky Cat’ by Elton John. Indeed, the Dashville Progress Society, made up of local musos, friends, and festival insiders, played with ‘joie de vivre’. With at least 18 folks blasting out on guitars, keys, horns, and vocals, the gathering displayed the philosophy of the festival – that is, that music and friends equals life. They were the true apostles of this creed as they played a dynamic set of covers – from Bruce Springsteen to The Rolling Stones – which had the mid-afternoon crowd going off.
The Hello Morning and The Gin Club soon followed. People either danced or just sat back and enjoyed hanging out with their mates. With many children on hand, the festival was lively and vibrant. Whether it was the pleasure of a youngster having their face painted by a woman in an American Indian headdress, or the laughter surrounding the circus performers as they taught someone’s Dad how to hula hoop, there was fun in the air.
Ed Kuepper, the iconic Australian guitarist, delivered a warm setlist. Playing both covers and originals, the artist also touched on some of the classics from his most well-known band, The Saints. The sun was setting and the lights glowed as Kuepper closed.
Families gathered around plates of food while punters continued their indulgence of libations with mates. Other festivalgoers slipped into their evening party frocks.
The nightfall advanced into the funk and soul of the stunning Ngaiire, causing the inhabitants of the diminutive village to be up and dancing. Wolf & Cub followed with their psychedelic sonic bliss as the moon hovered above. Dyson, Stringer, and Cloher were very captivating as they traded songs. Notable mention to Mia Dyson, who ripped her Telecaster apart much to the pleasure of the grinning throng.
The Hoodoo Gurus have not lost any of their talent in the 30-plus years of their existence. After the crowd called out for ‘Leilani’ early in the set, Dave Faulkner responded by saying that he had another song lined up, but the drummer Mark Kingsmill had other ideas. Kingsmill launched into ‘Leilani’, to which Faulkner said, “Right, let’s do it now” with a shake of his head. Once played, the song was a splendid delivery of a musical masterpiece.
Faulkner’s vocals were startling throughout, and Brad Shepard ignited the songs with his guitar. The setlist may have taken a hit due to the inclusion of the lengthy classic, but no one in attendance cared an iota.
Nicky Bomba and his drum-fuelled set continued the Saturday party that was brewing under the gum trees. Another crowd-pleaser of the festival was the Silent Disco. As copious people donned headphones and the two DJs supplied the music, dancing in silence and singing off key became the norm. It was an exciting, humorous, and fun-filled close to a day of nonstop smiles. The frivolity continued to the wee hours of the morning.
Matt Johnston, the festival director, and his family and friends cannot be applauded enough for their tenacity and motivation for making this little country festival a success for the past decade. Camping under the stars with fellow music lovers and old and new friends makes for a magical experience. There is a glow that comes from this Hunter Valley enclave each year, and if you have not done Gumball yet, grab your tent and loved ones in 2015 and find a home to celebrate music and life.
