River Sounds music festival to go ahead: Covid or not
Fears of a third wave of Covid have River Sounds festival director Ben Lewis alert but not alarmed. Here’s why he believes the show simply must go on.
Coffs Harbour
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After three years in the cultural wasteland that was Covid, two new music festivals are planned for the Coffs Coast - all be it in the shadow of a threatened fresh wave of the virus.
“Isn’t it ironic”, as Alanis Morissette wailed, that the first green shoots for the beleaguered industry have now been announced.
While Splendour in the Grass prepares to get its groove on near Byron Bay (July 22-24), first cab off the rank for Coffs will be ‘Woopstock’ - a pop-up festival at Woolgoolga which plays on the name of the town as locals call it, ‘Woopi’, and the iconic Woodstock.
Featuring music, film and festivities, Woopstock will run from July 29 to 31.
Larger in every sense will be ‘River Sounds’, at Bellingen, on August 19-21.
It’s been a labour of love for director Ben Lewis who has tried three times to stage the event only to be cruelled by Covid.
“Initially it was going to be a small event in the carpark behind the Federal Hotel,” Mr Lewis said, until council knocked back a development application for the gig at that location.
Undeterred, River Sounds grew, evolved, and crucially won grant funding from all three tiers of government.
“Without that support I probably wouldn’t do it. It’s a risky game,” Mr Lewis said.
While medical experts are warning of a midwinter surge in Covid infections, River Sounds is locked and loaded to go ahead in its fourth narrative.
Headlined by Baker Boy and Regurgitator, Mr Lewis said it will be one of the biggest multi-day festivals in regional NSW post-Covid.
“One hundred per cent (it will go ahead),” he said.
“I am worried but I don’t think we will be seeing lockdowns or shutdowns. But there’s every chance some of the bands might have to pull out because someone has Covid, or a crew member.”
The depth of the talent will ensure the integrity of River Sounds with a diverse line-up of over 50 artists doing their thing across three stages.
Mr Lewis said River Sounds had also dodged the bullet which hit Splendour - where a late licensing decision means younger teenagers have to be accompanied by a responsible adult.
“The difference is we have a licensed area that is fully contained and fenced - so you can’t just walk around with a beer,” Mr Lewis said.
River Sounds has set the bar high, and expects to have a crowd of around 2000 on each of the three days.
Woopstock will be a much smaller beast - an eclectic happening that will include daytime yoga, bike tours and wellbeing and drumming sessions.
By nightfall, it will be all about the music and outdoor cinema.
The event is driven by Coffs Harbour City Council and funded by a state government Streets as Shared Spaces grant.
“Streets as Shared Spaces is all about reimagining existing spaces in the community and looking at different ways they can be brought to life, provide enjoyment and become places to socialise and make connections,” mayor Paul Amos said.
Entry to the pop-up park will be free, but punters must register (altcollective.com.au/woopstock).
The official central location for the pop-up will be revealed days out from the event.
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