River Fest band spotlight…Charlie Needs Braces
The 2023 edition of Rockhampton’s River Fest kicks off at the end of this month, with a huge roster of Australian artists and bands from a variety of genres. The town centre is set to come alive over three days for this Family Friendly & FREE event for a jammed packed program of Music, Art Installations, Workshops, market stalls and local food trucks. We caught up with a few of the acts on the lineup to ask them about their River Fest preparations, what can fans look forward to and who they are excited to see from the extensive lineup. Next Up…Charlie Needs Braces.
You are one of the acts announced for the 2023 River Fest happening in Rockhampton from the 28th - 30th of July. Are you excited to be a part of this huge line-up of musical Talent?
We are incredibly stoked and excited to be coming up and playing this deadly festival!
How do you prepare yourself for a festival event like River Fest?
We make sure we pack towels, sunscreen and hats haha! But seriously Naarm winters are very cold and frosty so we are always desperate to head up North and get some sunshine. We are in the midst of recording a new record and will be rehearsing our new tunes to add to our River Fest set.
“We always like to get the audience involved and encourage dancing and singing throughout the set. ”
What can punters expect from your upcoming performance in sunny Rockhampton?
Our set combines live looping using Vocals, Brass, Percussion, Trumpet solos, and sisterly harmonies. We always like to get the audience involved and encourage dancing and singing throughout the set.
If you could jump on stage and collab with any artist or band from the River Fest line-up, who would it be and why?
That’s a tricky pick because the lineup has so many amazing artists! I am keen to see check out Weathered and it could be great to do a collaboration with them. The songs are well crafted and remind me of the saltwater and the sunny weather up north.
What’s your favourite festival memory either as a scheduled act or as an attendee?
Earlier this year I played at Wide Open Spaces which was also the first time I’d ever been to Central Australia. I really loved the festival site, the crowd, and the lineup and workshops they had going all weekend.
Do you find festivals are a good way to expand your fanbase as you can showcase your music to people who haven’t heard you before?
Most definitely! It’s a great way to meet new people and expand your audience.
“It’s our first time at the festival and first time visiting Rockhampton so we are super excited to be invited! ”
What’s the one song from your catalogue that you HAVE toinclude in a festival set?
Daryung (stingray) is off our recent record ‘Saltwater People’ and celebrates my mob the GuriNgai’s totem (the stingray). The song is inspired by our ancestor Bungaree who was always known for throwing the Daryungback into the water when fishing, to help maintain the sustainability and balance of the aquamarine life in the waters along the mouth of the Dyarrubin (also known as the Hawkesbury) river.
Do you have a message for the attendees that are coming to see you play at River Fest?
Come check out our music, we are gonna get you dancing and have a fun time! And come say hi! We love a yarn and are always up for meeting new people! It’s our first time at the festival and first time visiting Rockhampton so we are super excited to be invited! Woohoo!
For more information : www.rockhamptonriverfestival.com.au
Interview by Michelle Symes
July 2023