Four Winds brings world-class music to Barragga Bay

Get ready to relax in the bush with a bite to eat as world-class music from over 70 artists drifts to your ears.

Co-executive director Greg Lissaman said the Four Winds Music Festival at Barragga Bay will be the place to be for music lovers from 7 to 9 April.

“There’s a lot of excitement around that, because it’s a place where community converges to enjoy exceptional music and to be uplifted and to celebrate being together in the beautiful environment that is Barragga Bay.”

This year the Four Winds Music Festival program includes artists from myriad genres, including classical, jazz and neo-soul.

Classical music fans will be excited to learn there will be performances from a range of soloists, including pianist Timothy Young, violinist Sophie Rowell, percussionist Thea Rossen and trumpeter-composer Peter Knight.

The Australian Spring Quartet and the Australian Art Orchestra will also be performing.

“Four Winds is renowned for bringing the best of classical musicians from around the country to perform here,” Mr Lissaman said.

“This year, we’re bringing them together with artists from across genres, as well, with innovative collaborations in which people will experience the best of musicians from around Australia.”

Additionally, Ngaiire and Jess Hitchcock will take to the stage on Saturday evening in the ECLIPSE concert, alongside the Four Winds Festival Orchestra.

The orchestra has been formed for the festival and features handpicked musicians who will be performing themselves and supporting other acts.

“Often we’ll just bring in an orchestra – we’ve actually assembled one!”

There will also be a strong showing of First Nations culture and music, with the festival set to include ‘yolŋu manikay’ (song cycles) from Arnhem Land.

“It’s very hard to choose a highlight or a favourite, because they’re all so special.”

The full program is available online.

“Four Winds actually brings, to this community, such excellent music and opportunities to participate [in] as audiences,” Mr Lissaman said.

Additionally, there will be food from Sapphire Coast restaurants available for purchase to make sure no one goes hungry.

“We’ve gone around to different restaurants and asked them to supply different parts of that, and making sure that food is affordable to people here.”

The 2023 festival follows the challenges brought on by recent years of lockdowns and social distancing.

“It’s an exciting time to be part of organising Four Winds because it is that time where, in the wake of COVID and the tumult of the past few years for this community, that we are welcoming this festival back to its home at Barragga Bay,” Mr Lissaman said.

Mr Lissaman hopes festivalgoers take away a feeling of connection and a chance to reflect.

“It’s our aim that when people come here, that they relax into this space, that they are welcomed into this space and that there’s a dialogue between the ideas of the music and with the lives of people who come.”

Tickets can be purchased in advance through the festival’s website or on the weekend.

Mr Lissaman said that while some events did not require a booking, others did or were being held in venues that had limited capacity.

There are also ticket packages including weekend and day passes, he added, giving festivalgoers flexibility in what events they wish to put on their itinerary.

“By being able to mix and match, it just makes it more affordable for people that don’t have to actually book for the whole festival.”

The Four Winds Music Festival will be held at Barragga Bay, near Bermagui, on 7 to 9 April.

Tickets are on sale and can be purchased online.