Riverboats rocks the Murray once again

To event organiser Dave Frazer, his sore feet and hoarse voice at the end of the weekend were all symptoms of another successful weekend on the Murray.

“It was an incredible weekend,” he said.

“I mean to have the likes of Baker Boy, The Living End and Xavier Rudd all playing on one intimate little stage in a nature reserve in the heart of Echuca is something truly special.

“(Echuca) has always been loved as a beautiful tourist destination with such a strong community, but I feel like we’re starting to put it on the music map as well.”

Attendees were spoiled for choice across the weekend, with attractions ranging from the powerful performances of Queenie and Full Flower Moon Band to the soothing, soulful sounds of Emma Donovan and Daisy Kilbourne.

Kilbourne especially impressed attendees Minna Anderson and Ella Wilkens, who had travelled from the Yarra Valley for the festival.

Standing at the barricade with glitter sparkling on their cheeks, Ella and Minna had never heard of the Geelong-based singer-songwriter before, but quickly became fans.

“We were really excited to see Xavier (Rudd) later on, but I think she’s my favourite now,” Ella said.

“I came last year and was blown away, so I’ve brought Minna along with me this year.”

The job of curating the artists year after year has never been a burden to the hardworking team behind Riverboats — in fact, for Mr Frazer it’s one of the more rewarding tasks of the gig.

Case in point was welcoming local act The Wildlings on to the stage for the new local showcase slot, and hearing the support they received from the crowds on Saturday.

“They absolutely smashed it,” Mr Frazer said.

“I am so excited to be part of this major festival that is able to give opportunities to emerging artists.

“We’ve got an audience that might be coming for a big name potentially, but are also happy to come with us on the journey and really trust our programming.”

Aside from musical heroes, crowds got to show their love to the local volunteer firefighters who had spent the summer fighting fires in Harcourt, Longwood and Yarroweyah.

Echuca Fire Brigade volunteers and members from District 20 got up on stage to chat about the fires and what it meant to have support from the community.

The Riverboats committee kick-started a waterfall of donations with its $1000 pledge, an easy decision for a group dedicated to giving back to the community that supports it back tenfold.

“I think all of us looked on in horror at the fires over January … and it was devastating to see Harcourt bear the brunt of it,” Mr Frazer said.

“It was an opportunity too good to miss to rattle the can and see if we can raise some funds.”

He said its initiatives, such as working with Echuca Football Netball Club, which sold nearly 2500 sausages over the weekend, or with Community Living and Respite Services, which raised over $8000, were what made Riverboats unique.

“I think that’s the stuff that really sets this festival apart — it’s a little festival with a big heart,” he said.

With a worrying trend of long-standing festivals cancelling, Mr Frazer is proud to say that Riverboats stands out among the pack.

“We’re thrilled to be coming back for the 15th year,” he said.

“In this current festival landscape, that alone is something to be incredibly proud of.

“We just continue to go from strength to strength.

“It’s been so embraced by this community, and we’re keen to keep going as long as there is the passion from the artists and the passion from our audience.”

Riverboats Music Festival will return in 2027 from February 19 to February 21. Keep an eye out for the line-up coming around October.