The countdown is on for Newstead Live Music Festival 2026 on January 23-26.
Organisers were putting the finishing touches to the curation of the festival line-up late last week, and the program was set to go to print and ‘live’ on the website Monday morning.
The festival celebrates 20 years since it made the move to Newstead in 2026 and will once again feature a fantastic array of local, national, and international acts.
Among those to hit the local stages will be Andy Irvine (Ireland), The Pairs (CAN), Charles Maimarosia (Pipisu, Solomon Islands), Maggie Carty (Ireland/Melb), Kate Burke, Whisky Dram, Geoff Achison, Old Melbourne Road, Paper Jane, Jesse Lawrance, and Emmy Ryan, just to name a few.
The festival takes place at multiple venues across the township and will feature folk, roots and acoustic music, but also spoken word, workshops, sessions and open-mic events, with artists usually performing multiple sets across the long weekend.
A notable feature is the Live’n’Local street-stage program, which highlights local and emerging performers.
Locals Gus Riley and Darcie Brown are excited to be managing the Live ‘n’ Local stage for the first time and gaining some value hands on experience in the industry.
Gus is a keen musician and audio engineer and Darcie is interested in all things media and photography.
The young couple is excited to bring a diverse array of talented local acts to the free open air stage that will be located in the heart of Newstead in Panmure Street (near Newstead Pool).
“I started event management when I was still in school and I have also played at Newstead Live. It’s a wonderful event. It’s a great opportunity to put my skills in sound engineering and stage management into practice and assist to make this fantastic community event a success,” Gus said.
“We were fortunate to receive a grant from Community Bank Maldon and District to assist us in putting the Live’n’Local segment together,” Darcie said.
“We have some pretty cool acts joining us, all of which have some connection to the region. It will be a really diverse lineup, not strictly folk but a broad cross-section of music,” she said.
Fellow local and muso Jen O’Donnell will lend her skills as MC at various venues throughout the weekend and says there is always a fantastic community atmosphere.
Long-time festival director Kelly Skinner said that they once again have some incredible talent in store.
“Newstead Live takes place on Dja Dja Wurrung Country and is strongly rooted in local participation, with townspeople, local businesses and volunteers contributing venues, hospitality and logistical support and it is constantly evolving and growing,” Kelly said.
“This year as part of our popular Kids Program at Newstead Park on the Saturday in addition to the music program we will be introducing an Activity Zone with puppet and mask making and other activities thanks to the support of Rotary Castlemaine.”
To find out more about the festival and get tickets visit: newsteadlive.com
