Geelong gets groovy with free live music festival

A NEW music festival will hit Geelong and the Bellarine next month, offering a series of free performances from homegrown talent across a range of surprising locations.

The ReSound Music Festival, delivered as part of the City of Greater Geelong’s Live & Local program, aims to support the region’s rich diversity of musical talent and support new businesses to embrace live music.

It will take place over two dates in June with performances spanning bars, cafés, shops and businesses.

The festival will begin in Ocean Grove on Saturday, June 1 with performances in locations like Blackman’s Beers & Burger Bar, The Driftwood Café, Bookgrove, The Piping Hot Chicken Shop and the soon-to-be opened Greek restaurant, KALA.

ReSound Music Festival will then hit central Geelong on Saturday, June 22, with The Hot Chicken Project, Lou’s Pizza & Wine, Medusa, Murran Hub and Popcultcha Records & Books all set to host performances.

Audiences can expect to see sets by folk songstress Leah Senior, guitarist Bec Goring, singer songwriter Ella Sweeney, country musician Nathan Seeckts and pop duo Winksy, with the full lineup to be announced in the coming days.

Geelong councillor Melissa Cadwell said the festival served as a testament to the region’s thriving music scene.

“These new microfestivals will provide another platform for emerging and established artists to shine in two different neighbourhoods – Ocean Grove and central Geelong,” she said.

“Don’t miss out on this exciting celebration of local music and talent.”

The launch of the ReSound Music Festival follows the shock collapse of several high-profile music festivals since the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, along with the January cancellation of local event, the Tent Pole Music Festival.

Musician Bec Goring said the community, which is grappling with various social, economic and environmental challenges, needed the arts more than ever.

“I encourage folks in Geelong and the Surf Coast to take a break from Netflix, leave the couch behind, give a friend a ring, and join us at ReSound Festival,” she said.

“It’s free and you’ll experience a strong sense of community with live, local music.”

Full festival details will be announced this month and can be accessed via geelong.link/ReSound