DASHVILLE Skyline came of age on Sunday, recording the biggest crowd in its four-year history.
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More than 1500 punters flocked to Lower Belford for the three-day “cosmic weekender” of alt-country, Americana and psychedelia.
Sunday’s headliner The Waifs were the obvious draw card with one-day tickets initially selling out on Friday, before Dashville organisers issued more for the final day.
Other acts that competed strongly for eyeballs against the NRL grand final included Kurri Kurri songstress Melody Pool and Newcastle’s James Thomson.
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Families and children were well represented in the crowd, playing in the sand pit, skate half-pipe or mingling with the llama and chickens in the petting zoo.
After a balmy Friday evening, temperatures dropped below 10 degrees on Saturday night. The total fire ban meant the typical Dashville bonfires were absent.
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However, fans warmed themselves with the country blues of the quirky. C.W Stoneking. He was the highlight of Saturday performing tracks from his celebrated albums Jungle Blues and Gon’ Booglaoo, while the evening’s closing act The Bushwackers, mixed country Australiana with anti-coal political statements.
As always, Skyline provided a platform for emerging talent. Victorian Americana band The Settlement were arguably the breakout stars of the festival. Family soul band Perch Creek and psychedelic act The San Sebastian were others to impress on Friday night.