Thirsty Merc headlines Under Western Skies music festival

The second Under Western Skies music festival will be headlined by a massive Australian act, offering a much-needed boost to western NSW.

An eclectic mix of Australia’s top musicians and homegrown talent will take centre stage at various venues in Dubbo next month for the second Under Western Skies music festival.

Thirsty Merc will return to the city they once called home to headline this year’s festival, with 15 other acts also performing at five shows happening from March 19 to 21.

Rai Thistlethwayte from Thirsty Merc will perform at the festival. Picture: Monique Harmer

Organised by the volunteer-run Songwriters and Original Musicians Association Dubbo (SOMAD), the festival attracted more than 600 people when it was first held in 2019.

SOMAD member and performer Clinton Hoy said people from Sydney, Newcastle and Canberra were among those who made their way out west for the inaugural festival.

“Not only did it surpass my wildest dreams but it meant that people were backing our dream of having a homegrown music festival built on local and regional talent,” he said.

Like it did during the drought in 2019, the festival is expected to provide a much-needed boost to Dubbo’s economy, with visitors set to stay and spend locally as the region rebounds from the COVID recession.

Clinton Hoy is a huge supporter of local music. Picture: Songwriters and Original Musicians Dubbo

Mr Hoy said the festival would also offer an invaluable opportunity to homegrown artists.

“It’s important to us that not only do locals get a platform to perform, but that they also get to perform with great musicians from around the country,” he said.

“It’s vital to grow our experience through playing these big shows with experienced touring musicians and we have artists visiting from all over in 2021.”

Central Coast family folk pop group Little Quirks, Albury pop punk band Catnip Kaiser and Blue Mountains-based rockers Red Bee are among the visiting artists who will perform at this year’s festival.

“I heard Little Quirks on Triple J Unearthed and instantly loved their sound and I’ve always been a fan of Red Bee so I wanted those guys,” Mr Hoy said.

“Some of our regional contemporaries, such as Andy Nelson and Safety of Life at Sea just seem like kindred spirits to the SOMAD cause, so it’s great to have them as well.”

Central coast family band Little Quirks. Picture: Facebook/Little Quirks

Mr Hoy said the organisers were motivated to create the festival because they wanted to make Dubbo “a world-standard music city”.

The second festival was due to take place last year, however it had to be cancelled at the eleventh hour as Australia started to go into COVID lockdown.

“Obviously in hindsight it was the right call but it was heartbreaking at the time,” Mr Hoy said.

“So much time and effort goes into this and it’s all volunteer so you have to love it. Luckily we do and we’re back for another shot.”

Visit the Under Western Skies website for full show, venue, artist and ticketing details.

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