By Parker McKenzie
It has only been a short hiatus for The Basin Music Festival, with the long-running showcase of local talent returning to The Basin Triangle and surrounding venues on Friday 24, Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 March.
Held since 2005, TBMF hosts free performances on a stage in the town centre, known as The Basin Triangle, and other gigs at nearby venues The Acorn Bar and Hotel and The Oak Tree Tavern.
TBMF Committee member John Mortimore said the four-month turnaround between festivals was because of the Covid-19 pandemic cancelling the event in 2021 and 2022.
“It’s always been held in March, but we’ve had additional events like the Saturday Picnic in the Park concerts as well,” he said.
“The last one was partly a trial to get things back on track again after Covid.”
TBMF is run by organised by a volunteer committee, with a stage set up in The Basin Triangle for free performances across the three days.
Mr Mortimore said the music festival is getting “stronger and stronger.”
“There’s a whole new team of people involved in the organisation and management,” he said.
“Some are old timers that have been around for ages, but there are some new high-energy people on the committee and they’re getting the job done extremely well.”
The festival kicks off at 10am on Friday 24 March and sees dozens of performances across five stages and locations.
Mr Mortimore said the biggest change in the festival since it first launched 19 years ago was the increased regulations required to put the event on.
“There are always changes in administration and the way we do things, the rules and regulations we have to obey. It’s far more regulated now than it was when I started out on it.”
“We have to bring in other facilities to govern traffic and parking and security. Security used to be sleeping on-site, but that’s no longer considered adequate.”
He said people should expect lots of music from artists experienced and just starting out.
“It’s a showcase of talent from the local area, it’s a great experience for them,” Mr Mortimore said.
“There are some who don’t need it, there are some who are professional and semiprofessional, who get plenty of time to play in front of an audience too. But even then, we find a lot of them like to come and play for us because they love the atmosphere.”
More information and tickets for the non-free performances can be found at tbmf.org.au
