Under Western Skies 2024

Saturday September 21, Victoria Park, Dubbo

The 2024 festival featured an outstanding line-up of blues, rock, americana, pop and more from the best local and truly extraordinary touring acts.

This Way North was named Music Victoria’s Best Regional Act in 2018, and has since continued their rise with an explosive on-stage presence, delivering killer sets at some of Australia and Canada’s favourite festivals, sharing stages with artists from Mavis Staples to Ash Grunwald, Kate Ceberano and Spider Bait.

Northern Rivers based Matty Rogers Band weave a dynamic musical experience of Americana blues-rock drenched in soul. Matty has played with musical royalty such as The Black Sorrows, Ash Grunwald, Toni Childs and Phil Emmanuel, and can count the likes of Xavier Rudd, Ocean Alley and Kasey Chambers among his many supporters.

Joining them were Good Corn Liquor, a country, bluegrass and blues band hailing from Gunnedah NSW, Sydney’s Yoskos in the Cosmos’ genre-blending pop punk and classic rock stylings and Bathurst’s psychedelic Liquid Culture. Rounding out the bill were talented local groups: Hope Held Hostage - a rapidly rising alt-grunge-rock act, Dubbo indie-rockers Tomorrow Forever, and blues-infused musers, Indistinct Chatter.

Under Western Skies 2023

Saturday October 21 2023, Dundullimal Homestead Dubbo

The music lineup included some familiar local favourites and some truly extraordinary touring acts. Headliners, Little Quirks, had recently signed with NY indie label Glassnote Records - home to Mumford & Sons and Aurora - and were wrapping up a tour of the UK and Canada.

They were joined by two massive 6-piece acts, The Safety of Life at Sea - inspired by blues, soul and taking a leaf out of the books of Stax and Motown - and Big Sky Mountain, who had featured at the National Folk Festival and Tamworth Country Music Festival. Local and regional acts Riley & Ah See, Fireball Sally, Civil Hands, Sunset Pass, Killing Time, and The Crew rounded out the stacked bill, and youth Aboriginal ensemble, Yindyamarra Dancers, showcased a featured performance.

Under Western Skies 2022

Saturday November 26 2022, Dundullimal Homestead Dubbo

The music lineup included some familiar local favourites and some truly extraordinary touring acts. Kyle Lionhart headlined - having graced stages at Splendour in the Grass and Byron Bay Bluesfest, a European tour with Xavier Rudd, and a sold-out debut London show.

He was joined by Ashplatter, Robbie Mortimer, Elle Flanagan, The Monty Shambles, Raptor County, Twisted Horizon, Raccoon ‘Oles, and Millie Mills.

Under Western Skies 2021

March 19-21 2021, Various Dubbo venues

By using COVID-safe venues and having a series of events across the entire weekend of 19-21 March, UWS2021 was able to bring even more music to town. 15 acts across 5 locations over the 3 days; a whole weekend of music in Dubbo.

Headlining the 2021 line-up were one of Australia’s finest live acts, 5-time ARIA Award nominees, Thirsty Merc. Having released 4 critically acclaimed albums and with over 250,000 album sales under their belt, Thirsty Merc have found their way into the fabric of Australia’s musical landscape. Their Saturday night show at the Dubbo Regional Theatre was a highlight of the festival.

In addition, 2020 headliners Little Quirks, Andy Nelson and Red Bee were back on the bill, and they were joined by Albury’s Catnip Kaiser, Blue Mountains’ Blue Sherlock, Bathurst’s The Safety of Life at Sea fresh from their Inland Sea of Sound festival billing, and a host of the best local and regional bands: Civil Hands, Extractor, Novel Future, Sondernaut, Decimal Point, Killing Time, Irene Halloran and Clinton Hoy.

Under Western Skies 2020

<< CANCELLED DUE TO COVID >>

Saturday March 21 2020, Dundullimal Homestead Dubbo

Planned headliners: Little Quirks, Andy Nelson and Red Bee.

Little Quirks had supported the likes of Tim Rogers, Alex the Astronaut, Busby Marou, and Xavier Rudd and their hugely catchy single ‘Crumbled’ had clocked up nearly 3 million streams on Spotify.

Andy Nelson had appeared at the National Folk Festival, The End Festival, Inland Sea of Sound and was a semi-finalist at the 2018 Bluesfest, and Red Bee had been described as ‘the next big thing’ in Australian rock.

Rounding out the bill-to-be were local rockers One Proud Monkey - playing their final show, The Unclaimed Millions, Civil Hands, Shane Riley, and Irene Halloran.

Under Western Skies 2019

Saturday March 16 2019, Dundullimal Homestead Dubbo

Headline acts, Smith & Jones, were on show in the early evening with their classic harmonies and soulful songs, whilst the beating rock & roll of Sydney’s Hatakaze took the night out with a bang.

They were joined throughout the day by some of the finest regional original music, including the heartfelt tunes of Orange troubadour Darren Smith and Gulgong’s folk favourite Daphne Brooks. The cathartic riffs of Mannequin, the 90’s infused melancholy of Sunset Pass, the beautifully woven electronic-pop melodies of Eraser and up-and-coming pop-rockers Turn on the Lights rounded out the lineup.