Gippsland Country Music Festival has cemented itself as a formidable regional event, with the last two festivals boasting sold-out shows headlined by the best of Australian country music.
Gippsland Country Music Festival is about to get even bigger; in 2023, in celebration of its third year, the festival offers country music fans the option to camp at the one-day event to really soak up the atmosphere.
Moving to a larger new home at Lardner Park, organisers hope this will give music fans the chance to stay and play in Gippsland and explore the wonders the region has to offer.
In another coup for the Gippsland Country Music Festival, organisers have secured an enviable line-up headlined by Lee Kernaghan, who launched the inaugural event in 2021, and Troy Cassar-Daley.
There is something for all country music lovers, with Adam Brand, Beccy Cole, Sara Storer, Kaylee Bell, Josh Setterfield, Jade Gibson and Gareth Leach among Australia’s best country music stars set to perform at the event.
It isn’t just the stellar line-up attracting festival-goers, with various activities and experiences, from a woodchopping competition and freestyle motocross to line dancing, carnival rides, and market stalls.
There will also be a host of delicious food and drink vendors showcasing the local Gippsland region.
Organiser Aidan McLaren says the team have put together their dream line-up and day out.
“When we first talked about launching Gippsland Country Music Festival, we bounced around headliner ideas, and Troy Cassar-Daley was straight away at the top of the list,” Mr McLaren said.
“He’s won a record 40 Golden Guitars, created so many amazing albums and songs over such a long period of time, and his live show is just so engaging; to have him playing Gippsland Country for the first time is really something.
“Plus, to bring Lee Kernaghan, the Australian icon of country music, back to Gippsland is really, really special.
“After such an amazing response to his performance at our inaugural event, he’s definitely returning to headline by popular demand,” Mr McLaren continued.
“Additionally, to be welcoming our first ever international act Kaylee Bell is a special moment as well; we can’t wait!
“Each of the other artists are incredible, and we feel together they showcase the diversity and range of talent that exists in the Australian Country music scene.
“In total they have been awarded a mind-blowing 122 Golden Guitars between them, and we’re very proud to have such an amazing array of country music talent playing the festival,” he said.
“We’re also looking forward to the crowd being blown away by some incredible Gippsland home-grown country talent with the launch of the very first Local Country Showcase.
“It’s the search to find the local country stars of tomorrow, with four winners having the opportunity to perform at the festival.”
For the first time ever, Gippsland Country Music Festival will have camping onsite in 2023. There will be a limited amount of sites available for music fans to camp for the weekend and experience the event.
“We are thrilled to have camping now available at our new home of Lardner Park,” Mr McLaren said.
“We always knew that camping would be such an incredible element to add to the festival, and are really pleased that Lardner Park is able to offer us this in our third year.
“We know that fans travel hundreds of kilometres to attend the festival, and in addition to all of the incredible local accommodation around us, it’s exciting to allow music fans to camp onsite.
“Situated just 12 kilometres from Warragul and 90 minutes east of Melbourne, Lardner Park consists of spacious green fields surrounding a central lake, all encapsulated by hills rolling on in the distance, making it the perfect new home for Gippsland Country,” he said.
“The camping area is located on flat land with increased space and accessible facilities, ideal for establishing your temporary home.
Hopefully, it gives the opportunity for even more music fans to come and experience the festival, I know it’s something that the audience wanted, and we’re really excited that Lardner Park is able to offer it for the first time.”
There is limited camping sites available, so interested music fans are encouraged to book early.
Tickets for the Gippsland Country Music Festival 2023 go on sale via Moshtix at 8.30am on Thursday, October 13 2022.
