Winter Blues Festival celebrates 25 years of music and community

By Contributed

Apr 15, 2025

Winter Blues favourites 19-Twenty return for 2025! Photo by Aidan Briggs

The Winter Blues Festival is preparing for its 25th edition in 2025, with dates confirmed for July 24 to 27.

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Once again, the event will bring the finest Australian blues and roots talent from across Australia to Echuca-Moama, with organisers excited for many more years of showcasing live music in the region.

Recognised as one of the most affordable festival weekends in Australia, the Winter Blues Festival offers free entry to participating venues throughout its four-day program.

With various accommodation and dining options to suit different budgets, the festival ensures an accessible experience for music lovers, an important factor in today’s cost-conscious environment.

The festival also brings significant cultural and economic benefits to the region.

What was once the quietest weekend of the year for the historic port town now sees 20,000 visitors converge on Echuca-Moama, providing a vital boost to local businesses, from hotels to cafés, underscoring the festival’s value to the community.

As a not-for-profit event run by a dedicated team of volunteers, the Winter Blues Festival was created by community for community.

It thrives with the support of local businesses and grants and recently won the Community Impact Award at the Campaspe Murray Business Awards.

Additionally, the festival has been awarded the Revive Live grant, which helps sustain events across Australia.

Echuca Moama Winter Blues Festival committee chair Laurelin Berrick encourages everyone to join in the fun from July 24 to 27.

“Support this fantastic event by coming to town, enjoying the music, grabbing a bite to eat and soaking up the vibe. It’s all about the blues and the community,” Ms Berrick said.

The first artist announcement for 2025 includes: 8 Ball Aitken, 19 Twenty, Bill Barber & The Holding Cell, Cass Eager, Checkerboard Lounge, Collard Greens and Gravy, Doc Halibut, Ingrid & The Ministers, Jimi Hocking’s Blues Machine, Karl S. Williams & Sally Wiggins, Kathleen Halloran, Liza Ohlback & The Mercy Train, Madi Colville Walker, Marshall & The Fro, Nick Charles, Phil Coyne and The Wayward Aces, Rambal, Rod Paine and the Fulltime Lovers, Sweet Felicia & The Honeytones, Taya Chani, The Mojo Corner.

The Winter Blues Festival is supported by Revive Live — an Australian Government initiative.