Archie Roach, Thando & More Talk Recharge 2020 Festival: ‘There’s Something For Everyone’

A stack of beloved Australian acts will come together this weekend for the inaugural live-streamed Recharge 2020 Festival, an event set breathe life back into Victoria’s creative industries and regional farming communities following a rough six months.

Alongside music from the likes of Tones & I, Missy Higgins and Archie Roach, the May 17 event (from the team behind live-streamed gig series Delivered, Live) will also showcase some of the best local food and drink from across the state.

We caught up with a handful of acts set to grace this Sunday’s event, which kicks off at 12:00pm AEST.

Archie Roach

How have you been spending your time in iso?

Playing some songs on guitar, watching TV, streaming movies, doing my daily crosswords and keeping warm.

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What can people expect from your Recharge 2020 Festival appearance?

I will be revisiting my first album, Charcoal Lane, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary and talking a little about the stories behind the songs.

Why are events such as Recharge 2020 Festival so important?

The virtual festival lets us take our music to the people in regional areas that have suffered greatly these last few months and to let them know that we are thinking of them as they try to recover from recent devastating events in their lives.

Who else on the bill are you most excited to watch and why?

I am looking forward to watching everyone as I love Australian music, it’s the best!

Fanny Lumsden

How have you been spending your time in iso?

We live on a farm on the western side of the Snowy Mountains, which has been very fortunate in this iso time! As our album campaign was essentially cancelled (our album Fallow came out March 13 - aka COVID Friday), we have been working on turning the campaign around to be online. I've also been going (horse) riding, gardening, reading a bit and hanging within my family iso bubble (things I never do usually as we tour most of the year). Within our little iso family bubble, we have been having movie premiere nights where we dress up in theme of the film, make food in the theme and then watch it on the projector. Also we have camped (on the property) a couple of times as well. Trying to be all 'silver linings' about it all really.

What can people expect from your Recharge 2020 Festival appearance?

We are going to be performing songs from our new album Fallow in a four-piece acoustic arrangement. Lots of harmonies, and I cannot count on the lack of Dad jokes from Dan.

Why are events such as Recharge 2020 Festival so important?

Oh, they are keeping our industry alive. Not only are they providing a platform for us to share live music with new audiences, but they are providing music lovers with high-quality, live music from their home. It's the next best thing to being physically in the room at a gig.

Who else on the bill are you most excited to watch and why?

Very excited to see Missy Higgins - because myself and my whole generation grew up on her songs. Also, Ainslie Wills as we went to school together (one of my bffs from high school - Nat - is playing with her) and Archie Roach as he is such an iconic songwriter that to be on the same line-up is such an honour. Actually, I might stop because otherwise I’ll list everyone.

Anything else you’d like to add?

Sure. Our new album Fallow is out now! We haven't got to tour it or do any of the campaign so I'll chuck that memo in anywhere. We also have Fallow album art puzzles for sale alongside, Flanny Lumsdens (flannelette shirts, if that wasn’t obvious) and of course the ‘I love fanny’ range. More details here.

Thando

How have you been spending your time in iso?

I have been rediscovering my love of Delta Goodrem's Innocent Eyes era and cooking up a storm on Instagram live. Also, I'm a mum so I've got my hands full trying to keep foreign objects out of my 10-month-old's mouth.

What can people expect from your Recharge 2020 Festival appearance?

Intimate storytelling best enjoyed with wine and feelings. We laugh, we cry... we also cringe. It's good fun.

Why are events such as Recharge 2020 Festival so important?

There are lots of live streams happening but you'll seldom find streamed events that financially support everyone involved.

In a time where the arts are referred to as 'non-essential', events like Recharge 2020 Festival provide us with a platform to entertain people in isolation. A properly staged show with great lighting and sound while working within the confines of social distancing measures means entertainment industry workers earn an income working with organizations like Delivered, Live.

It's a fantastic initiative that values our industry when we need it most.

Who else on the bill are you most excited to watch and why?

I always love Archie Roach and I'm glad I get to see him in what was meant to be his final year touring.

Joe Camilleri, The Black Sorrows

How have you been spending your time in iso?

Like most, I’ve been adjusting to forced time in lockdown and making the most of it. I’ve become a bit of a domestic devil - fixing things around the house, getting stuck into gardening, raking lots of leaves! Musically, I’ve been writing songs and putting iReal Pro to good use… playing jazz standards on the sax and improvising along to a virtual jazz combo in my living room. Heaps of fun.

What can people expect from your Recharge 2020 Festival appearance?

The Blacks Sorrows are really thrilled to be part of Recharge alongside some truly great Aussie talent. Along with the regular line-up, I’ve added a horn section so it will be a real big band type show. It’s a short set so we’ll include some classic hits and newer songs from our most recent albums. As a band we always manage to generate a lot of energy on-stage and feed off each other so that’s what we’ll be doing - playing like there’s a full-house in front of us.

Why are events such as Recharge 2020 Festival so important?

I believe the Recharge event came together quite quickly so I tip my hat to the organisers and their crew... combining the best of food and music is a win-win. There’s something for everyone…for families to enjoy watching together..a fantastic community effort for farmers and musicians.

Who else on the bill are you most excited to watch and why?

What a line-up…Tones And I is incredible…she’s doing her thing and killing it ‘round the world…unique, uncompromising…I love that about her. Of course I’ve always been a fan of Archie Roach and his songwriting…he holds a special place in Australian music…we’ve played a couple of festivals with Pierce Brothers…for a couple of guys they’ve got a great sound…huge energy.

Anything else you’d like to add?

Thank you to the people who keep the plight of Australian musicians and all from creative industries at the forefront in these crazy times.

Dallas Frasca

How have you been spending your time in iso?

It has personally been an incredible time of growth, recalibration, creativity and assessing values systems. Kinda like growing up all over again. Translated, that means: there has been a whole lot of uninterrupted songwriting and a shit tonne of guitar playing ;)

What can people expect from your Recharge 2020 Festival appearance?

We will be performing the songs unlike audiences have heard the songs played before, so lots of surprises! We will be bringing along the fab Glitter Bitch Club with us on backing vocalists and maybe even a special guest!

Why are events such as Recharge 2020 Festival so important?

The entire initiative is something pretty special. For me, being back together with the band (even though we will be social distancing) means so much, they are an extension of my family and have missed them all so much! Music brings people together, it unites us all. Whether it be attending a venue, festival or at home for a live stream, we experience it together and helps us feel connected.

The best thing about Recharge 2020 is that when the event kicks off at noon this Sunday AND while you're in the comfort of your own home and the festival begins to play out, you can buy fresh produce or bevvies from regional Victorians, like from anyone you’ve seen on your screen or any of the 100+ vendors listed during the event AND then our festival and gig crew (that haven't been able to work) will deliver it to your home! This all goes towards helping rural and regional Victorians recover from the summer’s bushfires. So special! Mads props to the brains behind this one!

Who else on the bill are you most excited to watch and why?

There are some of my favourite Aussie artists on this line-up! So kind of everyone, some of the best ladies in the business! The incredible Pierce Bros. I'm extra excited to see Archie Roach, he is a national treasure that has given a voice to the pain, hope and pride of a generation. I'm also psyched to see Tones & I, it's been so awesome watching such a talented, down to earth legend, who not only keeps rolling out the incredible hits, but also, be a kick-arse role model for many others. She rules.

Anything else you’d like to add?

We'll see you at the party this Sunday! We're on at 4.30pm! Save a band, buy their merch x

Hannah Blackburn

How have you been spending your time in iso?

I have been spending a lot of quality time with my cat, Llewellyn. I've also been learning how to record at home, and learning covers to get better at playing guitar. I've also been gardening and got right into Yoga with Adriene.

What can people expect from your Recharge 2020 Festival appearance?

My band and I will be playing singles we released last year (Did You Always Know and Tiny Car), and we also have a handful of new singles to come. There will also be a song that will just be Katie Wighton and I singing in harmony for the whole song. Very exciting!

Why are events such as Recharge 2020 Festival so important?

These events are so important, not only for the obvious reason to support the music industry financially and by bringing awareness to our loss of work, but specifically Recharge 2020 Festival is great as it's helping the local food and drink business' and communities who are taking a hit, not only from the impact of COVID-19, but also those in Vic who are struggling from the recent bushfires and floods. Even though we are all in a state of crisis it's important we don't forget about these people doing it really tough!

Who else on the bill are you most excited to watch and why?

I'm super excited to watch Missy Higgins. When I was in primary school my best friend and I wanted to be her, and used to audition for the talent quest with her songs. Every year we were knocked back being told that we would never sing in the talent quest, and I will never forget being told in front of my whole grade that our audition was a "complete and utter waste of time". Now I'm on the same bill as her, and it feels like a real victory for my 10-year-old self.

Anything else you’d like to add?

I'm just genuinely very grateful to be picked for Recharge 2020 Festival. So many musicians are aching to play a show with their bands, so I feel very fortunate. I'm also still starting out, and being recognised and placed amongst these very successful musicians is an honour.