Ben Johnston says the Nelligen Folk Festival is the latest music event for a venue keen on “pretty much any style of music”. Photo: Liv Cameron.
The Steampacket Hotel is adding “beautiful voices and beautiful instruments” to their menu this long weekend (18 April to 20 April) by hosting the first-ever Nelligen Folk Festival.
Owner Ben Johnston says the live and free festival is intended to sit alongside the more established Canberra Folk Festival, which is also held over Easter.
“The National Folk Festival is a huge event. People travel from all around Australia to come to the festival and make a big weekend,” he said.
“[We felt] Easter is a really good time to do it – the weather is just right, and people can settle into the beer garden and enjoy the music.
“We’re looking forward to providing an environment where families can really relax and settle into the day,” he says.
Ben says audiences and musicians can “take a little bit of a detour” and find more music on the coast.
“Musicians love to play in different venues and see different parts of the world,” he says.
“It’s a pretty beautiful spot [in Nelligen]. It was a pretty easy sell and they get to play a different crowd with a different vibe.”
From 1 pm on Friday (18 April), audiences can take their seats and enjoy a range of folk and indie artists.
Folk music will be taking over the pub’s beer garden this weekend. Photo: Steampacket Hotel.
Candelo’s Melanie Horsnell is one of the musicians arriving in Nelligen for the festival. She says joining the line-up was an easy decision.
“There aren’t many festivals down on the South Coast,” she says.
“A lot of the towns down there just thrive when they have music in them. It’s such a community builder – it’s so healthy for our community.”
The singer-songwriter will be one of the performers, taking to the stage alongside Rachel Johnston (on cello) and Trent Arkleysmith (on mandolin). She will also debut new music. She’ll be joined on stage by Alice Hurwood, Craig Woodward, Euan Hart, Joel Havea, Val Moogz, CB Ghost and more.
Melanie says people can also take advantage of the “beautiful, beautiful place” that is Nelligen and enjoy a restful weekend, or fill it with activities.
“There are camping facilities nearby, and you can go paddling,” she says.
“If you’re going to come from far away, you can make a weekend out of it.”
Ben says the pub’s kitchen will also be open to keep everyone fueled.
“There’s going to be good food and wood-fired pizzas available from the kitchen to keep everyone happy.”
While the pub will open its doors to locals, he is inviting visitors from far and wide.
“Half of Canberra is down the coast over Easter, and a lot of people will find their way over to the pub, as well,” he says.
“You’ve just got the hills behind you, the Clyde Mountain nearby. It’s beautiful forest, and it’s got a beachy vibe because you’re only 8 km from Batemans Bay.
“A folk festival has a really great vibe that suits the space.”
The first Nelligen Folk Festival will be held from 18 April to 20 April, at the Steampacket Hotel, 963 Kings Highway, Nelligen.
