Music lovers enjoy the atmosphere at the Riverboats Music Festival in Echuca in the late afternoon.
Riverboats Music Festival will celebrate its 15th anniversary this summer ― and true to form, the focus remains firmly on “getting better, not bigger”.
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Festival Director David Frazer looked back fondly on the festival’s journey from a modest gathering on the Aquatic Reserve to a nationally recognised music event.
The festival began in 2012 in front of a small crowd, and was created to offer a unique music experience in an intimate setting.
Attendance has grown to 5000, yet the festival has made a conscious choice to hold firm against the pull of going bigger.
“We’re absolutely focused on getting better not bigger every year,” he said.
“When we first started, it was really just a marquee on the jetty with a very small sound and lighting setup.
“We had about 1500 people there the first year, and now it’s growing to the stage where it really does hold its own anywhere in the country.”
Over the years, the festival has welcomed some of Australia’s most beloved musical acts, including Paul Kelly, James Reyne, Neil Finn, John Butler and Missy Higgins.
Mr Fraser said about 80 per cent of the festival’s audience returned each year, helping establish a loyal following.
“We’ve still remained so, I suppose, focused on delivering a really world class event but in a really intimate setting,” he said.
John Butler performs at the Riverboats Music Festival in Echuca during a past festival.
Riverboats has built a well-earned reputation for its stunning setting at Echuca's Aquatic Reserve, where a single-stage format invites audiences to spread out a picnic rug and soak in the performances side by side.
The festival’s paddle steamer performances have also become a major point of difference, with artists increasingly keen to experience performing aboard the historic vessels.
The 15th anniversary lineup has been carefully crafted over 18 months, with a number of artists having sat on the festival's wish list for years before finally coming on board.
Mr Fraser said the festival had continued to book across a range of genres rather than focusing on one style of music.
“It’s personally one of the most exciting lineups I’ve had the pleasure of programming,” he said.
After 15 years, Mr Fraser said Riverboats had become closely tied to Echuca’s identity.
“We've become a big part of the town's DNA,” he said.
The 15th anniversary lineup will be revealed on Tuesday, October 6, with tickets going on sale just 48 hours after the announcement — so mark the date in your diary.
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