Rockin’ on a roll

We Two Thieves were a favourite of the Festival 130872 Pictures: GREG CARRICK

By KATH GANNAWAY

HEALESVILLE Music Festival is on a roll.
The high-energy, progressive feast of music, storytelling and dance that started on Friday night at The Memo and continued with 32 acts in four venues throughout Saturday, was exciting, a little bit exhausting … and fun.
The diversity and high-calibre of the acts and the opportunity to enjoy the cream of local bands along with national and international acts bringing music styles from hardcore American grass to Mexican, African, Australian rock and folk and lots more, has hit a chord with audiences prepared to travel around town.
There were plenty of surprises and more than a few moments of brilliant musicianship and evocative words.
Numbers were up and Healesville Music Festival committee vice-president Michael de Oleveira said the move from March to November had worked well.
The feedback from musicians and audiences has been overwhelmingly positive, he said.
“From the musos we’re hearing that it was well run and that everything ran according to plan.
“The venues were very busy, particularly on the Saturday night, and it was interesting to see some of the other venues in town also putting on live music on the night, adding to the energy around the town,” Mr de Oleveira said.
Mr de Oleveira said a lot of planning went into the festival and thanked the committee, the volunteers and the sponsors who were instrumental in making it another successful event.
“It was a great festival and we’ll be back, bigger and better on the same weekend in November next year,” he said.