With a week to go, it’s crunch time to for the crew of this year’s Bendigo Blues and Roots Music Festival.
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The not-for-profit, volunteer-run festival returns for its sixth year from November 3 to November 6.
Festival director Colin Thompson said he can’t wait to share another festival with punters, musicians and host venues who come together for the four-day event.
“There’s always lots of last minute jobs to be done on any given day but we're getting there,” he said.
“We've got more than 170 acts again this year and almost 50 venues in total.
“This is something we'll need to reassess early next year for the program moving forward as it creates such a mountain of work for me, my wife and our core crew.
“Hopefully though, we'll have the crowd numbers out in force again this year to justify such an expansive program of events across the four days.”
Thompson said of the estimated 170 acts playing over four days about 60 have never performed at the festival before.
“Many of (the acts) have never played Bendigo previously and some of whom have never played Australia,” he said.
“I'm more excited by the mix of acts on particular shows than I am for any particular act.
“The fact that we get to bring so many brilliant acts to town and mix and match them in shows with each other and with the best local acts, each playing host to the visiting acts, that's what I'm excited about.”
Thompson said he was particularly keen to see the two American artists – Eugene ‘Hideaway’ Bridges and Travis Bowlin – perform a ticketed show at Bendigo TAFE’s MacGillivary Hall on November 5.
“With Ian Collard opening the show, that (gig) will obviously be a highlight,” Thompson said.
“For younger crowds there are landmark events like the Freeza-partnered 'Rockin' The Rooftop' gig, atop the Edward Street multi-story carpark (on November 5).”
Bendigo Beer will also host its secret laneway parties where the location will be announced on social media hours before they take place.
Quieter concerts at the Engine Room and LaTrobe's Visual Arts Centre will give punters a chance to soak up the artists’ talents but there is also sure to be plenty of raucous fun at the many pub venues. See full festival details at www.bendigobluesandroots.com.au.