Paul Kelly & Charlie Owen Lead 2017 Riverboats Festival Line-up

10 October 2016 | 8:46 am | Staff Writer

Legends unite in idyllic surrounds for another edition of Echuca's February festivities

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Legendary Australian singer-songwriter Paul Kelly and his acclaimed current creative partner, Charlie Owen, have been named atop a star-studded line-up headed to the picturesque Echuca-Moama region in Victoria for the 2017 Riverboats Music Festival.

The pair of troubadours are joined by a wholly impressive roster of artists from top to tail, including fellow icons such as the Hoodoo GurusJames Reyne, Mia Dyson and Shane Howard, as well as established delights like HuskyCash Savage & The Last Drinks, Melody PoolThe Meltdown, William CrightonKarl S. Williams and Mighty Duke & The Lords.

There will even be a degree of international flavour added to the heavily local mix in the form of Kiwi fly-ins Kylie Auldist & Aaradhna, who, along with MC Brian Nankervis (RocKwiz), round out the ranks for February's festivities.

"After five years, we are so proud that Riverboats has remained boutique in both its size and philosophy, yet continues to attract some of the most celebrated artists in Australian music," festival director David Frazer said in a statement. "To be able to welcome artists including Paul Kelly and Charlie Owen to the banks of the Murray next February is a defining moment in the history of our festival, and we can't wait for what promises to be a fantastic weekend under the red gums."

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Dyson, Crighton, Cash Savage & The Last Drinks and The Meltdown will perform as part of Riverboats' unique (for Australia) program of staging performances aboard historic paddlesteamer Pride Of The Murray, giving fans a chance to spend a laid-back hour cruising along Australia's longest river in the company of some the country's finest blues, country, folk and soul musicians.

Next year's event will also see the return of Riverboats' Annual Festival Breakfast at the Beechworth Bakery on the festival's Sunday from 9.30 to 11.30am, once again soundtracked by a showing from The Meltdown. Always a popular stop on punters' itinerary, you'll want to book in for a seat at the brekky.

Riverboats Music Festival returns to Echuca-Moama from Friday 17 to Sunday 19 February 2017.

Riverboats Music Festival 2017 Line-up

Friday 17 february

  • The Meltdown
  • Cash Savage & The Last Drinks
  • James Reyne

Saturday 18 february

  • William Crighton
  • Shane Howard
  • Mighty Duke & The Lords
  • Mia Dyson
  • Kylie Auldist & Aaradhna (NZ)
  • Hoodoo Gurus

Sunday 19 february

  • Karl S. Williams
  • Melody Pool
  • Husky
  • Paul Kelly & Charlie Owen