Entertainment
16 July, 2024
Chillagoe ready to rock festival
GREAT local talent and a host of exciting and fun activities will turn the historic mining town into a vibrant cultural hub for this weekend’s Chillagoe Festival.
With local artist Becci Nethery, Bloodwood, Aurelle Brunjes, Crissy Snell, Now or Never, Brendan White and Chillagoe Idol set to take the main stage, visitors will enjoy a lively blend of music, art, and heritage from 8am t0 10pm on Saturday.
An art exhibition will also be held inside the town hall, as well as a street parade, markets, bush poetry, whip cracking, licensed bar, food stalls, and more.
Headliner Becci Nethery said she was excited to return home to perform, especially after successfully releasing her latest single, Feels Like Home.
The song describes the changes she’s faced when moving from her peaceful hometown to the bustling big-city noise of Sydney. It captures the bittersweet feeling of returning to a place that will always have her heart, knowing that she will soon have to leave again.
The single earned Becci her third number one on Australia-wide country charts.
“I've been part of that community the entire time growing up, and the Chillagoe Festival is something that I was always really excited about,” she said.
“From the age of about six, I think I started performing there, whether or not they wanted me to or not is not a question.
“So, it's really special for me to go back and see my family and see this community that just feels like home, and also to perform on that stage that has been my starting place.
“It feels so comfortable and wonderful to be back there.”
With something for everyone, Becci hopes more people from outside of the Chillagoe community will come and join in the fun.
From music to arts, there is something to for everyone in the family to enjoy.
“I personally love to watch it all, with all of the young performers and the performers who have been there for decades,” she said.
The Chillagoe Festival will kick off on Saturday 20 July from 8am until 10pm at the Chillagoe Town Hall on Queen Street.
