Thirroul Music Festival: A little bit country, a little bit rock and roll

I think we can all agree, this weekend was an absolute activity-filled feast for the senses. From Illawarra Convoy in the South, to the Northern Illawarra Art Trail in the North, there really was something for everyone. I spent what turned out to be a gloriously sunny, albeit wind-swept Sunday afternoon, running between four of the five venues that made up the small but mighty, Thirroul Music Festival.

Now in its third year (the festival, like all of us, skipped 2020), TMF showcases the best of country, folk, blues and indie acts from around Australia. With 23 acts, five stages and only six hours to fit it all into, there was zero chance that we'd get to see everyone we had hoped to see. But it’s amazing what you can achieve when fuelled by good vibes, beers (courtesy of Capital Brewing Co.), and the Jameson’s pop-up orange bar out the back of Papi’s and we made it to nine shows.

We started our afternoon in the sun-drenched courtyard of Noel & Gladys, which was set to host folk artists for the day, with the achingly beautiful songs of Meteor Infant and knew we were in for a good time. And right next door at Papi's things were getting loud and loose, with cowboy hats on, (some) shirts off and the likes of local Rhys Scoular and the fabulous Katie Bates. By the time Drey Rollan & Howlin Alvarez took the stage, the place was absolutely packed. We had to sneak out of their fab show to make it in time for a bit of swimming with legend Ben Salter.

At the start of the day, I wouldn't have considered myself a country/Americana fan, but thanks to Charlie Finn and the Aria-nominated Georgia State Line (one of the standouts of the day for me) I was sold.