Singer Songwriter & Multi Instrumentalist
Liz Stringer
FOLK, ROCK, ROOTS
Melbourne born musician Liz Stringer is one of Australia’s most admired and versatile songwriters and instrumentalists. A venerated guitarist and vocalist, her notoriously powerful live performances and melodically rich, story-based songs have earned her a unique place among the most important Australian songwriters of the modern era.
A former student of Merrijjg Primary School and one time resident of the area, we are thrilled to have Liz appearing at this year's festival as part of her Australian solo tour ‘First Time….for the Last Time’.
A notoriously witty and engaging performer and a natural storyteller, Stringer’s work has been shortlisted for the prestigious Australian Music Prize and has received the respect and endorsement from some of the folk/roots scene’s most influential musicians, including Canada’s Frazey Ford and the inimitable Bonnie Raitt.
Liz Stringer has performed all over Australia and the world for her own musical project as well as being a session musician for countless acts, most recently including performing in Midnight Oil for their final ever tour in Australia, North America, Europe, UK and New Zealand.
In 2021, Liz released her 6th studio album ‘First Time Really Feeling’, a work of such depth and raw beauty that it almost immediately lifted her to a new level – debuting at #14 on the ARIA album chart, clocking up nominations for the Australian Music Prize and AIR’s Album of The Year, and attracting the loving attention of many new fans. The album is a musical time-capsule of love, loss and legacy, profound change and her recent path to self-acceptance.
Beloved equally for her rock stylings, knee-buckling ballads and a world-class lyrical and story-telling prowess that sees her write affectingly from a staggering range of perspectives, First Time Really Feeling showcases Stringer at the top of her game. Emotional, unflinching, expansive and revealing—this album is unmistakably Australian music at its finest, and is, without question, Liz Stringer at her best.
"... a true wordsmith”, Stringer’s indescribable voice and intimate stories capture the full spectrum of human emotions. To see her perform live is to see an audience utterly captivated, hanging on every word and every hook as Stringer guides them through journeys of heartbreak, sorrow, hope and love."
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Doc Wallace first appeared on Channel 9's Tarax Show when he was 13. After competing in Local and National Finals of New Faces, his original music shared an Erik Award for the best professional production of 1969. He later wrote and produced a number of musicals including The Second Flaw, A Matter of Compromise, Back to the Wall, Emergence and Prop and Cop.
While living in the UK he was asked to open for Procol Harum's Gary Brooker in London in 2007, and continued to play around the UK professional and festival scene til returning to Australia in 2017.
His songs have been finalists in the UK Songwriting Competition over the last several years, and he continues collaborations with other writers in Australia and the UK. One of his 1977 albums is due for re-release on vinyl in the USA in the near future after all albums sold out internationally.
These days he plays a rough mix of classic 60s-80s in a number of formats and likes to describe some of the material as 'bent covers'! While he doesn't play much percussion these days, he still can manage to remember the words of some of these classic pop tunes on keys and guitar. He may even be tempted to do one of his originals...
Singer Songwriter & Guitarist
Doc Wallace
CLASSIC ' BENT' COVERS
Local Band
Blue Curtain
Rock Covers
Comprising of Ashlyn (Vocals), Molly (Keys/Piano), Judah (Guitar), Seth (Drums) and Harry (Bass) are a local Mansfield Secondary College band who regularly perform at Rock on the Rocks and school events. Spanning years 9, 10 and 11 they are all keen and talented musicians playing a wide range of covers with their own unique flair.
Soloist
Archie Dunn
SINGER & GUITARIST
Archie Dunn is a local lad from Merrijig who loves singing and playing guitar. He has a wide taste in music playing blues, pop, country and more. Archie recently won a local radio Young Artists Competition for his age group and we are excited to have him join this years festival as a returning young artist.
Delicious Food...
The Horseless Cart will be on site providing hearty delicious food including Slow cooked meals, flaming burgers, Nachos and wait fort it... Hot Jam Doughnuts!!!! Yum. PLUS a good old fashioned Sausage Sizzle - jut add sauce!
Bar OPEN
Enjoy a selection of beer, wine and non-alcoholic drinks at our pop-up Bar! Strictly no BYO please.