Page 63 - Port Douglas Magazine 38

events.

SAVANNAH IN THE ROUND PUTS

AUSTRALIAN MUSIC FIRST IN 2023

WORDS by Mitch Fresta
t’s almost hard to fathom that just a hop, step and a jump away from pastel
hues of the Great Barrier Reef, the pristine beaches of the Cairns coastline
and the lush scenery of the iconic Daintree Forest lies one of the country’s
Ibiggest and most beloved live music festivals; an ever growing destination
event where sandy thongs are swapped out for dusty boots, beachside bungalows
are replaced by personalised campsites and the sounds of waves crashing on the
shoreline are substituted by some of the world’s best live music!
After a record-breaking event in 2022, which saw acts from all over the
world descend on the iconic Kerribee Park Rodeo Grounds for several days
of unparalleled entertainment, Tropical North Queensland’s most exciting
destination music and camping festival - Savannah in the Round - has announced
its highly anticipated return in 2023.
In a bid to celebrate domestic acts and put Australian artists front and centre
in 2023, Savannah in the Round has shifted its focus from the sounds abroad
to the sounds at home, unveiling a massive Aussie-centric line-up, including
beloved music legends Jimmy Barnes, Kasey Chambers, Daryl Braithwaite, Kate
Ceberano and some of the hottest names in country, including Brad Cox, James
Johnston and Casey Barnes, alongside a massive line-up of homegrown heroes,
including Australian Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee Don Walker, multi-
award winning artists Beccy Cole, Adam Harvey and Fanny Lumsden, Aussie
icon Russell Morris, and countless others.
The festival also shines a light on the immense talent born and bred in Far North
Queensland with 15 locally celebrated artists getting ready to share the festival
with Australia’s biggest names including Black Image, Roz Pappalardo, Out of
Abington and many more.
“A few years ago I had the pleasure of heading to North Queensland as part of my
Shutting Down Your Town tour and it re-opened my eyes to just how beautiful
this country can be” said headlining act Jimmy Barnes. “With a combination of
some of the country’s most beautiful locations, populated by some great North
Queensland music lovers, I couldn’t be happier to be heading up to Mareeba for
Savannah in the Round.”
This year, beyond the live music component of the event Savannah in the Round
will also include a very special edition of the iconic Great Northern Bullriding
Series, which will see some of the world’s best riders go head to head in a one-
of-a-kind two-hour bull riding spectacular, soundtracked by some of Australia’s
best music.
“Australian music has never been hotter, so we decided this year to lead with
the locals first,” said Event Director James Dein. “This year’s event will welcome
a who’s who of the best in Australian rock, pop and country heading north for a
three-day party. Savannah in the Round is a true celebration of everything that’s
great about Australia and everything that’s special about Far North Queensland
and this year’s event will be our biggest one yet.
“We’re dedicated to championing our Aussie acts and putting the spotlight on
them first. But watch this space, we still have a few surprises up our sleeves—for
both locals and tourists.”
Far more than just a music festival with expansive music offerings, Savannah in
the Round’s, punters - which range from toddlers and families to young music
fans and grey nomads - will also be able to experience a plethora of camping,
glamping and on-site festival delights ranging from a wide range of bespoke food
and drink offerings to local artisanal arts and culture.
Alongside major, world class performances on Main Stage, at the Big Top Music
Hall and in the Bull Bar, Savannah in the Round proudly features Indigenous
visual art, music and dance displays, a market village full of local produce and
products, and an onsite paddock to plate experience showcasing the freshest
local ingredients you can find north of the border.
With rave reviews across the nation and a strong pickup of early-bird sales for
the 2023 edition already, Savannah in the Round is once again looking to make its
mark on the region, while raising the bar for live entertainment and increasing
visitation in one of the most beautiful locations in the world. Savannah in the Round runs from 6-8 October, 2023 at
the Kerribee Park Rodeo Grounds in Mareeba.
IMAGES:Kasey Chambers (left) and The Black Sorrows (bottom) will Tickets are on sale at savannahintheround.com.au
support Jimmy Barnes (top) at this year’s Savannah in the Round.