General News
24 September, 2023
Whole Loddon Love - Singing for our towns
FLOOD recovery music tour Whole Loddon Love will raise funds for local communities next month. The live music event will play in Pyramid Hill, Boort, Newbridge and Bridgewater over two weekends on the anniversary of last October’s flood emergency...
FLOOD recovery music tour Whole Loddon Love will raise funds for local communities next month.
The live music event will play in Pyramid Hill, Boort, Newbridge and Bridgewater over two weekends on the anniversary of last October’s flood emergency.
Event producer Fionna Allan said: “Each of the venues and communities have welcomed and embraced the idea, and there are a few little surprises being planned along the way as well”.
Money raised at each event in local hotels will go directly back into the local communities - fire brigades in Newbridge & Bridgewater, the progress association in Pyramid Hill and Boort District School.
“I am very excited to be working on this series of five events across the Loddon Valley, which brings together two of my great passions - music and community, and acknowledging the challenges faced, and still being experienced, by the flooding late last year,” Fionna said.
“It’s very rewarding working on events like this, meeting with people and hearing their stories, and I can’t wait to meet even more Loddon locals over the event weekends. I live regionally as well.
“Tickets are free for locals and kids, and only $15 for visitors. I also encourage everyone who can afford to purchase a ticket to do so, there is a ‘pay what you can’ option as well.
“I encourage folks to jump online and register for their free tickets - so we have an idea of how many people are coming, and we don’t run out of food or drinks!”
Among artists taking the tour stage will be guitarist Dan Kelly, who has played for the past 20 years in acclaimed uncle Paul Kelly’s band.
Dan said: “I like driving through the country from town to town, telling stories, listening to other folks tell their own stories - fire and flood, dust and drought, perhaps a tale of a family drama or car crash on a hot night .
“I like to drive nice and easy near dusk to dodge the roos. I don’t have the luxury of a bull bar on my city car. If I’m lucky there’s a swimming spot not far from town. I’ll get there in the morning. Mud on my boots. If I’m extra lucky there’s a bakery with a famous pie or snot block. I have a good job. No security in it but there’s not much of that anywhere. “
Dan has also toured as a guitarist with Bic Runga, Augie March, Kasey Chambers, Neil Finn, Lindy Morrison and Amanda Brown (Go Betweens), Spencer P Jones, Martin Frawley and Dan Brodie in his career.
Fionna said Whole Loddon Love had been supported by Shedshaker Brewing donating kegs of beer to the venues. The music tour is funded by the Live Music for Flood Recovery Fund through Creative Victoria and Music Victoria - with additional support coming from Loddon Shire Council and Mount Alexander Shire