Week Two – Lots of music..

My second week of leave was also spent at home. Susan left for the airport on the Tuesday morning, I had plans of finishing a garden project but it was just too wet – so some lazy days soaked me up.

Friday evening I attended the first events of the Blue Mountains Music Festival. This was the 28th festival and my first. I was going in 2020 but COVID put a pause on that, I had my tickets for the next two years all put on hold and rolled over due to COVID. I thought I was finally going in 2023 but my Dad was very unwell and I travelled home to NZ to be with him for his last few days. So I said goodbye to my tickets and filed it in the “such is life” basket. In 2024 I was preparing for Camino so finally 2025 here we go…

This was my first ever Music Festival it was an amazing experience.

The setting is a local public school there is a big top and three other smaller venues plus the local RSL hosts gigs and two other venues in Katoomba, all within walking distance. There is a full program of events, food trucks and merchants selling wares.

The location is a 5min drive from home. I pack a small backpack with essential – wallet, water, rain poncho and tissues (a good move), more on these later.

I collect my program and wristband which shows I have a 3 day pass, this feels a bit like I am going on a Camino with a shell identifying us as all being on the same journey. Here it is a band on my wrist – uniting me with fellow festival goers. I head for a quick bite to eat at the RSL and am soon chatting with fellow festival goers all excited – some have travelled from a far and some from just down the road.

I had been studying the online program at home to work out which acts to see. I start with David Francey from Canada. A folk poet and singer the music is soft and soothing. David tells us yarns about his life and how the songs came to be. He was a carpenter for 20 years before becoming a musician. His songs talk of love, loss and the beauty of nature.

The next act was The East Pointers. As soon as I read their bio I knew I wanted to see them. They come from Prince Edward Island, Canada. I am a huge Anne of Green Gables fan and have romantic ideas of one day visiting PEI. Oh wow! These two guys transported me across an ocean and time they sung, played a fiddle and keyboard. They told stories of home, travelling and loss. The duo Tim and Jake, were a trio until tragedy took their fellow musician Koady. One minute their songs have you crying into your beer (tissues needed) the next up dancing in the isle.

I thought I would head home but curiosity got the better of me so I headed to the RSL for the final performance of the night – Ungus Ungus Ungus. Wow – so pleased I did this mob are crazy fun! They come from Melbourne – mostly. There was a drummer as saxophonist a clarinetist a trumpeter two guitarist a singer/dancer/keyboardist (no idea if that’s a word). This was big band meets vaudeville meets mayhem!

The next morning I was back bright and early for the Poet’s Breakfast. I’ve been to live poetry performances and enjoyed them, I was keen to see our local poets strut their stuff. The theme was a tribute to the life of a local identity Denis Kevans who passed away in 2005 there was laughter and tears (more tissues) it was touching to see people read poetry by Denis or about Denis or all kinds of things from leaf blowing neighbours to Gunddungurra men. Denis left an amazing legacy with his creation of a Poetry group here in the Mountains, many printed works and his own words etched in stone at Echo Point.

Between performance there is coffee to be had under the shade of the trees and chats to have with fellow festival goers tips and recommendations to be had.

I see Kris Mizzi from Melbourne a last minute replacement for another group and this his biggest gig so far he is very sweet his music, jokes and stories lifts our spirits.

Next is Siomha from Ireland (pronounced She-vah). In both Irish and English we are taken on a journey – I am flying between Nashville and County Cork!

I realise now that the best thing about going to a music festival is the delight of discovery. Seeing and hearing artists you have never heard of, becoming so absorbed in their performances you forget yourself where you are what you’re worried about what you’re doing tomorrow – you are just there with them and a few other people in that moment.

Next I saw Ruthie Foster, her blues, folk and gospel voice grabbed me from her first song. I can’t explain the tears or how deeply she resonated, but her songs, struggles and love of family and faith caught me. For years the song – I am Woman by Helen Reddy has been an anthem for me. Ruthie gave me a new version, Phenomenal Woman had me up out of my seat, fist pumping and tears flowing. Wow!

Sunday and I was back early for more poetry and a Q&A session with Ruthie Foster giving insight into her life and the journey she has been on. (Yes more tissues).

I saw a couple more musicians and enjoyed sitting in the shade watching the festival crowds.

The final show I wanted to see was Tex Perkins. I have been crazy about Tex Perkins since the first time I heard his Dark Horses album. I came to the party late really, having missed the Cruel Sea days, I have seen him perform many times now and he still has a rock star effect on me. He actually came and sat behind me at one stage while I was waiting to see another act in the big top. I almost had a fan girl moment but his energy field felt like he wanted to be alone. I left him to his quiet moment at the back of the crowd to watch and enjoy the world go by.

I have been floating on a musical cloud all week. Such a fabulous experience.

Blue Mountains Music Festival program Here.