2025 Festival
Wirrina Bluegrass & Acoustic Roots Festival
That’s it for the 2025 Festival folks!
And what a week of festivities it was! Starting with the Music Camp, there were three days of superb quality tuition from Josh Bennett (guitar and bass), Justin Vilchez (Mandolin), Jerri Forman and Grace Honeywell (Fiddle), Peter Somerville (Banjo) and Sally Carter (Ukulele). Much learning, practice, connection and fun was had. Huge thanks to the tutors who also arranged a Talent Show and a Bush Dance in the evenings, which brought everyone together for a lot of fun.
Then, onto the Festival! We had all manner of weather, from rain, thunder and lightning, to glorious sunshine, but the spirit of the festival was sustained throughout. With plenty of undercover shelter and heaters, the shows rolled on—sometimes in time with the thunder on Sat night!
The quality of musicianship at Wirrina Festivals is always fantastic, and this year was no exception. International artists (Jerri Forman & Grace Honeywell) and Australian artists who perform internationally (e.g. Andrew Clermont, Josh Bennett, Parvyn, Justin Vilchez, The Weeping Willows, and Runaway Dixie) wowed us with their skills and performances. The quality of Bluegrass on show was exceptional, including interstate and local bands (The Old Crossroads, The Bluegrass Remnants, Crooked Road). The acoustic roots genre was represented with equally engaging and fun performances from Australian locals Dustbowl Chic, Jim Patterson and the Wellbeing Social Club, the Lofty Mountain Band, the Paula Standing Trio, Kenny Joe Blake, the Watershed String Band, Andrew Clermont’s Super Club performers, and Sally and the Poor Boys. The Rev and Mrs Rowdy’s Whisky Communion was, as always, a hit on Sunday morning! The Adelaide Scottish Fiddle Club performance and Lasseter’s Gold bush dance provided plenty of musical fun for the punters. Special events included Mike McGregor and friends (with a John Prine-themed concert) and Jane Tassie and friends (Songs of Struggle, Songs of Hope).
Many thanks to all the performers and to those who ran workshops and led sessions. There was so much on offer—from Salty Sea Dogs Sea Shanty singing to a luthier’s Q & A session (Tim Wright).
The Festival is organised by a small committee of dedicated and hard-working folk—all volunteers. The work goes on throughout the year. Special thanks go out to Thea Taylor and Ian Main, who are at the helm of these Festivals. It wouldn’t happen without them. Other committee members whose work is essential to the Festival are Laura McCarthy, Caz and Kyffin Williams, Shirley Jansen, Jacquie Sprott (Red Ripple Design). Thanks to all the wonderful volunteers who help out both before and during the Festival—we couldn’t do it without you!
We greatly appreciate the support of the Wirrina Cove Holiday Park owners and staff who provide the beautiful environment and facilities for the Festival.
Volunteers needed
We’re looking for some more physically able volunteers—Any younger musicians or musicians’ friends who are available on the Friday and Monday and would like a weekend festival + camping pass, in exchange for helping set up and pack away the site. We’d like to hear from you if you’re able to assist. As always, please get in touch with any questions or offers of assistance – wirrinabluegrass@gmail.com is the best way to reach us, or you can find us on Facebook.
Wirrina Music Camp 2025
The Wirrina Music Camp for stringed instruments is happening again in 2025.
More details here
Wirrina Young Musicians’ Contest
The Wirrina Young Musicians’ Contest is also happening again in 2025. Thank you to Lucy Kammerman who is helping to coordinate the contest this year.
Head over to the Wirrina Young Musicians’ Contest page for further information: Wirrina Young Musicians’ Contest
Wirrina 2025 Festival Program
“What’s on the program ?” you ask. It’s a tough job getting the annual program together. Unexpected ‘things’ have a way of changing at the last minute. Well done to Thea & Co for making it happen! You can now download a PDF copy of the program—and it’s looking fantastic!
Festival performers 2025
Another exciting line-up on the big Wirrina stage is drawing very close now! Head on down to Wirrina this coming weekend to savour the musical delights on offer.
- Jerri Forman & Grace Honeywell
- Andrew Clermont’s Super Supper Club Arvo
- Jim Patterson & the Wellbeing Social Club
- The Lofty Mountain Band
- The Bluegrass Remants
- Kenny Joe Blake
- The Old Crossroads
- Dustbowl Chic
- The Weeping Willows
- The Paula Standing Trio
- The Watershed String Band
- Runaway Dixie
- Crooked Road
- Sally and The Poor Boys
- Aelaide Scottish Fiddle Club
- Lasseter’s Gold (Bush Dance)
- The Rev and Mrs Rowdy’s Whisky Communion
Read about the performers: Performers 2025
Workshops at the Wirrina Festival
Ronny Rhythm’s ‘Hot Plate’ Demo
An explanation & demonstration of the diversity of digital drums and how they can fit in all genres of music. Including a brief description of the instrument & how to set it up with a PA/amplifier, and questions. This demo is using the Roland HPD-15 Handsonic digital hand percussion unit.
Bollywood Dance
Parvyn Singh is a Punjabi-Australian singer and dancer best known for her work in Bollywood-inspired psychedelic rock band The Bombay Royale. She regularly visits India to study North Indian Classical Vocal and Kathak dancing, which she combines with her upbringing in Bharatnatyam and Punjabi folk Bhangra dance to teach a fun and energetic workshop for all ages, with additional musical accompaniment from Josh Bennett and other special guests.
Looping for Acoustic Musicians
Join Dave Shinn for a hands-on introduction to looping — an accessible way to layer sound, rhythm, and melody even when you’re playing solo. This workshop will explore simple looping techniques tailored for acoustic instruments, using both pedals and your phone as creative tools. Learn how to build grooves, harmonies, and spontaneous arrangements on the fly. Whether you’re a solo performer or part of a group, you’ll discover practical ways to build rhythm, harmony, and texture on the spot. Bring your instrument and your curiosity—this session is all about creativity, collaboration, and having fun with sound.
Luthier Talk with Tim Wright
I’ve been building and repairing guitars since 1995.I think that in order to develop your skill as a luthier it’s good to have a solid idea of the sound you’re looking for. I use traditional timbers and body styles so I have concrete examples of the tones I want to be able to produce. Getting a knowledge of the instruments that inspire you and learning to manipulate timber choices and body styles in the traditional way in order to achieve those characteristics, is an important part of being able to work with a player in order to produce an instrument they will be happy with.Those skills are a lifetime’s work. You never stop learning and improving.
Festival features
Prine Numbers (John Prine Themed Concert)
with Michael McGregor & Friends – Saturday lunchtime in the shearing shed
John Prine is widely regarded as one of the most influential singer/songwriters of his generation. Songs like Sam Stone, Speed of the Sound of Loneliness, Angel from Montgomery, Paradise, Hello in There, Donald and Lydia and Summer’s End were among many highlights from a rich career documenting and frequently poking fun at American society. This themed concert with Michael McGregor and friends will celebrate the extensive work of this prolific and brilliant songwriter.
Songs of Struggle, Songs of Hope
Jane Tassie & Friends
There is a strong tradition of folk and traditional music that is concerned with political struggles and social justice. Singers such as Woody Guthrie, Ewan McColl, Peggy Seeger, Judy Small, Archie Roach, Nancy Bates, Tracy Chapman – and countless others – have used their music as a powerful force to highlight issues of injustice and to inspire hope. This concert will showcase a diverse range of songs from this tradition and will involve a range of local musicians who will come together to entertain and inspire you. Join Jane Tassie with Kyffin Williams, Adrienne Lovelock, Kath Kennedy, Michael McGregor & Margie Russell
Participate!
Sponsorship
Ever wondered how a festival pays for itself? In the case of Wirrina Bluegrass & Acoustic Roots Festival, ticket sales cover the unavoidable administration costs and payments for performing artists —and these are more of a ‘honorarium’ plus travel and accommodation. Longer term, we’d like to attract somewhat larger audiences and be able to pay closer to their actual worth. The marquees, a major infrastructure cost, are sponsored by Wirrina Cove Holiday Park. The Young Musicians’ Award began because a festival supporter organised grant funding. That funding will run out after this year.
We all love this festival, its particular focus and format and we’d like to expand what is on offer. An example is our addition of the bush dance; there are possibilities of separate concept presentations/workshops being offered to us. These would add depth to our festival. But how do we fund these when we are already stretched to the limit? We are hoping there are people in our festival community that would like to make these ‘extra-curricular’ activities happen and keep happening. The cost is generally around $500 to $1500 per activity. An activity sponsorship could be financed by one or more people and sponsors can choose to be named in the program or remain anonymous. If you are interested in being involved in this way, please contact us.
We are always open to new constructive ideas to improve our festival both in enjoyment and sustainability and the best way to make contact is by emailing us at wirrinabluegrass@gmail.com
Sessions
There are many options for sessions and jamming at Wirrina Festivals so bring your instrument/s and join in the fun!
Irish/Celtic, Bluegrass and Old Time sessions, plus spontaneous sessions of any style can be held in the Open Mic tent, the Workshop tent and around the fire pits after the end of programmed events each evening.
During performances
Our performers come from far and wide and rehearse hard to play for Wirrina audiences. Please be aware that jamming, talking and other noise travels far, so we ask you to keep that in mind when near concerts on the main stage and open mic stage. Please turn mobile phones to silent, give your attention to the performers and move away from the stages for chatting and socialising— there is plenty of space for this that won’t disrupt concerts.
Many thanks for being mindful.
Get involved!
There are a variety of ways to participate in the festival.
- Apply to play on the program
- Bring your instrument/s and play at the black-board tent
- Join in the hosted sessions
- Attend an instrumental or vocal workshop
- Run a workshop
- Jam in the session area
- Come to watch and listen as part of the audience
- Volunteer on the festival crew; six hours of service = one free festival ticket!
Book accommodation at Wirrina
Please go to the Wirrina Cove Holiday Park website to book your accommodation for the Festival—camping, caravans, and cabins available.
www.wirrinacoveholidaypark.com.au
Click on the Upcoming Events page, then scroll down to the Wirrina Bluegrass section. There you will see a link/button to access accomodation bookings.
Reducing waste at Wirrina
We ask patrons to spare a thought for the environment and the volunteers who clean up after the festival. Thank you for helping us to reduce the rubbish. Lets keep up the great effort in 2024! Reduce, reuse, recycle.
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Festival merchandise
There will be some new ‘merch’ and old favourites in 2024! We love it when you buy from us because it all goes towards running the Festival.
Copyright 2025 © Wirrina Bluegrass & Acoustic Roots Festival