Aussie artists head to outback and regions as fans embrace destination festivals

Jon Stevens, Jimmy Barnes, Kate Ceberano and Paul Kelly lead the charge of Aussie artists hitting regional Australia for music festivals.

Jon Stevens had 64 concerts on his 2022 to-do list after the long pandemic pause when the outback came calling and added two more big gigs.

The perennial rocker is one of dozens of popular artists leading the charge to Australia’s outback and regions as full-scale festivals and tours return in 2022.

Along with Jimmy Barnes, Missy Higgins, Kasey Chambers and Kate Ceberano, Stevens will perform at the 2022 Mundi Mundi Bash in Broken Hill and its sister event the Big Red Bash in Birdsville in August.

Jon Stevens will be heading out to the Mundi Mundi Bash in Mad Max territory. Picture: Jay Town

“I’ve done the Big Red Bash a couple of times now and it really is a one-of-a-kind festival, it’s an adventure for everyone and I’m expecting the same vibe for Mundi Mundi,” Stevens said.

“What’s better than getting together with your mates in the desert and enjoying rock’n’roll under the stars?”

Mundi Mundi is not only banking on the quality of its line-up to get fans out west but the added incentive of its destination.

The festival site is a famous Mad Max location, with director George Miller heading back there from April to shoot the next instalment Furiosa with Chris Hemsworth.

Kate Ceberano is another Aussie artist embracing Australia’s great outdoor gigs. Picture: Nathan Edwards

Before he kicks up some red dirt, Stevens will also be hitting the regions with his mate Barnesy and the Hoodoo Gurus from January on board the annual Red Hot Summer festival which plays on the Mornington Peninsula and Bendigo in Victoria and Port Macquarie, the Hunter Valley, Berry and Kariong in NSW.

And in between all of those shows are the Day On The Green winery festivals with Rod Stewart in Geelong, Bowral and Mount Cotton in Queensland.

“I love getting out and doing those regional festivals and the fans love them; Red Hot Summer always sells out,” he said.

“For years, it’s been tough for artists to get out to the regions because it costs you a fortune to tour.

“But these festivals have great bills, you get to see five or six acts play their hits and they love it because you are a part of their life’s history. And we get paid and don’t lose money.”

While the government grants programs launched during the pandemic shutdown of gigs have supported established events such as Bluesfest, Splendour In The Grass, Falls and Summersalt to stay afloat, they have also inspired the creation of new music gatherings.

One of them is Wildflower, the first-ever all-female mini-festival in Australia starring Higgins, Chambers, Kate Miller-Heidke and Sarah Blasko, which will be in the Hunter Valley and Yarra Valley with only one capital city stop in Brisbane in March.

Stevens said the festivals were often a preferred option for families who share a love affair with Australian music.

“I’m seeing that big time, three generations in the front rows – when the kids see you playing live for the first time, the looks on their faces are like they’ve just discovered a space man.

“Being on the road is life and having it taken away from us for so long, it really reinforces how important it is not just for me and the musicians but for the people who love rock’n’roll.”

You can access ticketing details for the festivals featuring Jon Stevens via jonstevens.com