Hunter Valley Announces Festival To ‘Replace’ CMC Rocks

The Hope Estate Winery has announced that it will be holding its own three-day camping Campfire Festival to “replace” the CMC Rocks event that is leaving the site next year.

CMC Rocks – one of Australia’s biggest and best respected country music events – had been held at the venue in New South Wales’ Hunter Valley region since 2011, but have opted to relocate to Ipswich for 2015.

"After CMC’s unexpected exit, we were overwhelmed with messages from the music community"

The move proved controversial amongst fans, some of which had booked accommodation in the Hunter already based on 2015 dates that had been advertised at the 2014 event. CMC Rocks decision the decision by saying that accommodations costs in the area were rising and food and drink options managed by Hope Estate were being met with “dissatisfaction”.

In announcing the Campfire Festival, which takes place the same weekend as the new CMC Rocks Queensland, today Hope Estate’s Michael Hope has made it clear that they have launched the event to “replace” CMC Rocks and hope to win over some of that festival’s existing fans.

“After CMC’s unexpected exit, we were overwhelmed with messages from the music community,” said Hope.

“So many people were looking forward to spending the three days here with their friends, it had become an annual and planned ritual for them. They’d already booked flights and accommodation, and wanted to know how they could help bring the show back.”

No artists have been confirmed yet but Campfire is promising “bigger staging, a wider variety of food and beverage options including craft beer from the new onsite microbrewery and a new five-star camping facility all with its beautiful vineyard setting as the backdrop.”

Campfire will have two stages, with ten of the 15 artists set to be programmed on the second stage to be chosen via online audience member vote.

“The whole Hunter region is ready to get behind this event,” said Hope, “and with the passionate support we’ve already felt from the fans, we think Campfire Festival 2015 will mark the start of something great.”

Campfire will take place Friday 13—Sunday 15 March 2015.

Hope Estate has shows booked from The Rolling Stones, Paul Simon & Stine and The Eagles.