The region’s favourite annual celebration of Americana music returns this month with an all-female lineup.
The fifth Americana on the Bellarine live music event will bring together two of the region’s finest songwriters, Sarah Carroll and Andrea Robertson, with award-winning artist Ella Hooper.
Since its inception in 2020, the mini-festival has brought the best of local and national talent to the Bellarine, including Matt Joe Gow, Wayne Jury, Annie-Rose Maloney, Nathan Seeckts Alister Turrell and Greta Zilla.
Robertson, founder and organiser of the annual event, said she was “so excited” to bring Hooper to the event.
“Obviously she’s a big name, and she’s more known for being the lead singer of Killing Heidi, but I know her passion is Americana,” she said.
“She’s so full of life, I think she’s going to bring this great energy to the whole night. She’s very entertaining, very engaging, lots of fun, so it’ll be great to end the night with her band playing the last set.”
While Americana on the Bellarine began in 2020, it’s debut was marred by the first COVID-19 lockdowns, forcing it online as a streaming event rather than a live one.
A second attempt in 2021 was similarly affected by the pandemic, but Robertson never wavered in her belief that a music event focused on blues, roots, country, folk and rock would find a place in the region.
“The vision I had for it was that it would become an annual event, so it’s really quite heartening to see that happen,” she said.
“It’s something we can look forward to, celebrate local artists, share their original music and give songwriters the chance to show new audiences what they’re capable of.
“After the first live, ticketed event in 2022 the feedback was really overwhelming and there was clearly a desire for more of that sort of thing.
“It’s proven to be a popular addition to the local calendar, and it feels like it’s growing in a healthy way.”
American on the Bellarine is at the Ocean Grove Hotel beer garden on Saturday 21 February. Visit trybooking.com/DHJZZ for tickets and more information.
