ACCLAIMED musicians Bernard Fanning and Kate Millder-Heidke will be the headline acts for Echuca's 2020 Riverboats Music Festival in an artistic coup for the event.
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Festival Director David Frazer said he was thrilled to add the two artists to the list of acclaimed performers to play at the Murray's premier music event.
He said despite he was confident that regardless of musical preference, all visitors would find a musical act they loved.
Mr Frazer said Fanning was one of the most iconic voices in Australian music, while Kate Miller-Heidke had a remarkable talent.
"Bernard Fanning's been on our wish list for over five years now. So it's an incredible coup that he's going to be joining us," he said.
These are artist that quite often perform at events that are two, three, four times the size of ours. Its pretty remarkable whos joined us over the past few years, and this year's line up is no exception to that.
- David Frazer, director Echuca Riverboats Festival
"It's going to be amazing to seek him perform with his full band on Saturday night at the festival. The response is going to be overwhelming to see him join us."
Troy Cassar-Daley, Something for Kate and Archie Roach join the lineup for the annual riverside festival.
Mr Frazer said the festival had expanded its paddle steamer sideshow program to include five steamers, in response to demand from both artists and audience members.
Visitors can steam down the Murray River while being entertained by professional musicians, as part of the unique act.
Mr Frazer said these musical steamer trips were an aspect of the event that always sold out incredibly quickly.
Other artists billed to perform include the Go Betweens' Robert Forster, Dyson Stringer Cloher, Bob Evans, Mama Kin Spender, Ainslie Wills, Horns of Leroy, Matt Joe Gow and Jess Lock. Brian Nankervis of Rockwiz will host the festival as MC.
Mr Frazer said the riverboats festival continued to punch above its weight creatively, with this year's performer list matching up to past artists such as Missy Higgins, Paul Kelly and the Waifs. He said the festival had always focused on singer songwriters, but had an incredible horns band performing in 2020, along with Australia's best folk, best country and amazing rock artists.
"These are artist that quite often perform at events that are two, three, four times the size of ours. It's pretty remarkable who's joined us over the past few years, and this year's line up is no exception to that," Mr Frazer said.
"I'm proud that once again we're delivering an incredibly eclectic lineup of music across a range of different genres.
"We're just so lucky in this country to have so much talent to choose from, it's such a blessing... to bring these 13 bands to what has to be one of the most picturesque musical sites in the country."
Mr Frazer said he was looking forward to joy of watching 5000 music fans enjoy much-loved artists perform at the riverboats.
"It's going to remain a really relaxed, laid back way to enjoy some of the best music in Australia at one of the prettiest sites in the country," Mr Frazer said.
Riverboats Music Festival, February 14-16, riverboatsmusic.com.au.
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