Peninsula talent set to rock in new festival

Jessica Benton
BUDDING musicians will rock Ocean Grove next weekend as part of a new festival.
Ocean Grove Open Mic Festival will feature a variety of music genres from solo performers and bands.
Organiser John Bowman said the event was a first for the town to showcase local talent and big names.
“People just assume it’s a footy and beach culture down this way but we’ve held some gigs in the past and the revelation is how many people are into their music, especially the young ones,” he said.
“There’s a lot of musical talent around town and they’re all coming out of the woodwork for the festival.”
Mr Bowman said the festival would give amateur musicians the opportunity to perform in front of a live audience.
Mr Bowman said a similar event at Airey’s Inlet had inspired Ocean Grove Arts Network to organise the festival.
He believed the Bellarine Peninsula’s musical talent could rival the Surf Coast.
More than 50 acts would perform across the Queen’s Birthday long weekend at Ocean Grove’s Nectar Bar, BarDeli, Zebra Lounge and Chicken Shop, Mr Bowman said.