River Fest band spotlight...Chavez Cartel
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…Chavez Cartel.
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?
Of course! It’s nice to be involved with any festival it’s a special feeling. Whether you’re there to play or there to watch there’s always a sense of absolute freedom in the air. Brings out the hippy in all of us. We’re excited for all of it but of course there’s no denying how mega it feels to be included on a line up filled with big names.
How do you prepare yourself for a festival event like River Fest?
Just double down on rehearsals really so it’s all second nature. If we can play the songs tight and confident without thinking about them then the rest will fall into place and we can just focus on the experience and the performance. With the right preparation it can feel like being a band and a fan at the same time and we can tap into that festival freedom we just spoke about. That’s what it’s all about for us.
What can punters expect from your upcoming performance in sunny Rockhampton?
You can expect to see a loud and confident touring band who are having a massive year. Our guitars are loud, our lyrics are poetic and we’re very grateful to be playing up there. We hope all of that comes out in our show.
“With the right preparation it can feel like being a band and a fan at the same time and we can tap into that festival freedom”
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?
Would have to be The Delta Riggs. We’re all from the same city but we don’t know each other so would be good to break the ice and make mates with them. I wouldn’t even sing I’d just be chatting shit in old mates ear ‘til he agreed to take us on tour with them. Bold and very public networking move I know.
What's your favourite festival memory either as a scheduled act or as an attendee?
We just played The Great Escape Festival in Brighton, England while we were over there touring earlier this year. That was right up there for us. Was a big opportunity that we took with open arms and was our first international festival so was all pretty special. And as an attendee I wouldn’t say it’s my favourite memory but it popped into my head first was seeing Linkin Park with Chester when they played a festival in Japan a few years ago. Obviously we didn’t know what was round the corner so as I said maybe not my favourite festival memory but definitely one of my most grateful.
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?
Yeah absolutely. Festivals are celebrations of arts and life and everyone’s interested in them. People at least will take a look at the lineup and have a good read of the posters whether they’re attending or not it’s a great way to get to your names about. It’s a great way of growing the band for sure both online and face to face.
What’s the one song from your catalogue that you HAVE to include in a festival set?
Would have to say Dead Weekend has been doing pretty well lately. It’s a slow burner with a massive ending and is perfect for a night time festival set.
Do you have a message for the attendees that are coming to see you play at River Fest?
Yep, get up close!
For more information : www.rockhamptonriverfestival.com.au
