THE return of alt-rock heroes Magic Dirt and the reformation of legendary Newcastle band The Hauntingly Beautiful Mousemoon are among the highlights in the first announcement of acts for Gum Ball 2019.
The family-friendly music festival has been expanded to four days from April 25 to 28 for its 14th edition at the bush surrounds of Dashville in Lower Belford.
Earlier this year Magic Dirt reformed after a seven-year absence but Adalita and co are yet to bring their hits like Dirty Jeans and Plastic Loveless Letter back to the Hunter.
Meanwhile, Mousemoon have only performed sporadically over the past decade after forging a stellar live reputation in the 2000s with their bohemian prog-rock theatrics led by charismatic frontman Zackari Watt.
Beasts of Bourbon and Cruel Sea frontman Tex Perkins will unveil his new swamp-rock blues act The Fat Rubber Band at Gum Ball, while rising African-born rapper Sampa The Great will provide a more contemporary sound.
ARIA award-nominated artist Mojo Juju promises to add further diversity to the musical melting pot of Gum Ball when she performs songs from her powerful Native Tongue album.
For power pop fans there will be the Dashville debut of Philadelphia Grand Jury and enigmatic American singer-songwriter Van Duren, who is the subject of a new Australian documentary entitled Waiting - The Van Duren Story.
Rounding out the first announcement is Perry Keyes, Tamam Shud, Nick Barker & The Heartache State, Los Kung-Fu Monkeys, The Regime, Battlesnake, Midnight Tea Party and William John Jr.
Tickets are available from dashville.com.au.
Josh Leeson
Josh Leeson is an entertainment and features journalist, specialising in music, at the Newcastle Herald. He first joined the masthead in 2008 after stints at the Namoi Valley Independent and Port Stephens Examiner and has previously covered sport including the Asian Cup, A-League, Surfest, cricket and rugby league.
Josh Leeson is an entertainment and features journalist, specialising in music, at the Newcastle Herald. He first joined the masthead in 2008 after stints at the Namoi Valley Independent and Port Stephens Examiner and has previously covered sport including the Asian Cup, A-League, Surfest, cricket and rugby league.
