The Bendigo Blues and Roots Music Festival may have postponed its November shows, but music fans will still be able to enjoy a three-day music event.
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Across the Wires is a three-day online event from November 6 to 8 that will be hosted by the BBRMF. It will feature more than 60 acts from all over Victoria and the rest of the country.
BBRMF committee member Kylie Stewart said it was a good alternative for people missing out on their annual dose of blues and roots music.
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"We couldn't continue with this year's festival as much as we tried," she said. "With the state of play everywhere, it was not feasible.
"Because we had transitioned earlier events - including the monthly Blues Trams - to live broadcasts, we all learned new skills.
"That prompted us to decide 'why not do something in that space'. We want to keep music live and give artists an income, so we said 'let's do this'. We have been successful at live broadcasts and had more than 150,000 views on Facebook. That's a real reflection on the quality we can produce in Bendigo."
With help from the City of Greater Bendigo, festival director Colin Thompson reached out to artists who had applied for this year's postponed event.
"We have got 65 musicians, maybe a little more than that," Stewart said.
Bendigo musician Steph Bitter debuted at the BBRMF aged 16 and has played five events in total. She was eager to be a part of Across the Wires.
"It is so exciting to be back and just playing," she said. "Before this week I hadn't played on a real stage since March. It's disappointing we can't do the fesitval the way we normally would but this is the next best thing.
"As a young person trying to figure what to do with music, being able to play in front of people is so special. It's such a confidence booster having the opportunity to play at a festival (like BBRMF)."
This week is being spent pre-recording a number of performances for the three-day virtual event but there will also be live streams through the weekend.
Across the Wires' headline show will feature Benny Walker, This Way North and Dean Haitani and be broadcast live from Ulumbarra Theatre.
Across The Wires will stream free from November 6 to 8 on the BBRMF website, Facebook page and YouTube channel.