The Violet Town Music Festival, is a festival dedicated to singer songwriters, connection and to celebrate the love of music we have, here in North East Victoria.

Our feature performer inspirational soul and funk performer JoJo Smith takes her audiences on a lyrical, musically diverse journey of blues, soul, funk, R&B, latin and jazz. Her own songs are a tour de force and along with a unique interpretation of a small, select group of covers. JoJo will be accompanied by Damien Neil.

"Great Aunt take and eclectic and joyous approach to making music. The songs and deeply felt, revealing, relatable - at once a personal and shared revival."

There’s stomping feet and clapping hands, bombastic bass drum and resonator, mandolin and double bass, and soaring harmonies aplenty - the combinations are instantly recognizable as the music of Great Aunt. Winners of the 2024 Folk Alliance Australia Artist of the Year (Duo) award, Great Aunt is a collaboration between songwriters Megan Bird (mandolin, resonator, acoustic guitar, vocals) and Chelsea Allen (double bass, vocals, percussion). Their music draws inspiration from the traditions of folk, bluegrass, and country music, with a gleeful nod to the pair’s diverse, individual careers in punk, jazz, soul, and rock.

The duo has delighted audiences at some of Australia’s finest music and arts festivals, including Woodford Folk Festival, Blue Mountains Music Festival, Yackandandah Folk Festival, and Deni Ute Muster, and toured extensively within the United States of America. They have shared stages with notable acts including Adeem the Artist (US), Joe Crookston (US), Vika & Linda Bull (AUS), The Weeping Willows (AUS), Sue Ray (AUS), Smith and Jones (AUS), Mary Flower (USA), Paisley Fields (USA), Wiley Gaby (USA), The Belle Miners (CAN), Kerryn Fields (NZ), and more.

Great Aunt have recently returned from their third tour of the US, and are currently busy in their studio, producing and recording their debut full-length album, ‘It's All Downhill From Here’ – due for release in 2025. In 2024, the duo released two singles, ‘Freeburgh’ and ‘What’s A Girl To Do Now?’ (which featured at the top of the AMRAP Regional Radio chart over multiple weeks) - both are available on all streaming services, Bandcamp, and YouTube.

”Americana usually calls to mind the bayous of Louisiana, the pocket communities of the Appalachian mountains, or the great plains of the American heartland, but Melbourne, Australia’s Great Aunt prove that, despite its name, not all great Americana comes from the United States.” - Not a Sound (USA)

Australian Celtic Royalty Saoirse will also be taking to the stage and will be hosting a traditional Celtic Celiah. Bern, Ant and Sile bring to the stage beautiful harmonies, guitar, violin and stories as well as laughter and fun and the ability to take us all to Ireland. So wear your dancing shoes and be ready to laugh.

Roolya Boolya (Damien and Sile) formed in the Green Room at Port Fairy, Roolya Boolya are a lively Celtic/folk duo from country. Victoria. Think Irish tradition, beauty, and joy!

Mayfair Lane are Rhys and Esther Duursma who now live on the beautiful South Coast of NSW. Rhys is from North East Victoria and is the drummer and lead singer of indie-rock band Lowline. Esther’s experience growing up in a small coastal town shaped her own singer/songwriter style. Their commitment to combining their different musical backgrounds and finding a new sound together has led to a growing fan base and well received debut album ‘Go Again’. Lowline will also be joining our lineup in 2025 and we will finish the evening with a night of rocking blues and guitar based joy.

Szara Fox & Andrew Darling are a duo influenced by Flamenco and Balkan Gypsy music. Performing original and traditional material, Szara's songs are enchanting tales of travel, love and freedom. Szara’s captivating performances are interwoven with Andrew's soaring harmonies and fiery, impassioned trumpet.

Andie Guerin is a singer songwriter whose lyrics draw pictures reflecting both his personal life and society. All are accompanied by exciting and diverse rhythm guitar and melody lines. Andie is the mentor to many of the young people in the music programs around Violet Town and the Strathbogies.

Seal Prince & the Roof Rats make earth-folk music from the heart on Wadawurrung Country. Hailing from Geelong, 'Seal Prince and the Roof Rats,' are on tour this summer to support the release of their new single the 'Barwon River Song.' This young, talented musical mischief deliver a heart-opening listening experience in full playfulness and sincerity. The 'Barwon River Song' is a joyous expression of the quest for love in commitment... 'if love is gonna find a way, let it be in what we make, two snake birds twist t'ward the sky.' 'Seal Prince and the Roof Rats' will have you laughing, crying and dancing... All at once! Not. To. Be. Missed!

Trev Dwyer is a folk singer & songwriter from the Yarra Valley, Victoria, Australia.
With influences including Bob Dylan & Paul Kelly, his songs are acoustic folk tales about life in regional Australia and balancing the lines between heartache and happiness. After decades playing guitar for others, Trev is now standing centre stage.

The Yaks are just a herd of groovers, chilling on a hillock nearby, playing classic tunes for you to relax too. Bass, guitars, Cahon and vocals creating relaxing tunes. Anita, Rat and Graham are looking forward to playing for you.

The Viceroys are an alternate rock grunge band, who have won several major awards in the past year. The passion within their songwriting and the emotion within Jeremiahs vocals and the instrumentation of these three pieces create a big sound full of diverse rhythms and melodies.

As well as community Singing and Visual Art Exhibition by Helena Gibson.

There are several more acts still being finalized but as you can see, this will be a wonderful weekend of singer songwriter music. We do hope you will join us. All ages welcome.

See you there!