Gold Rock 3 to raise the (Handle) Bar

ONE of the best free days out you can find ever will unfold at Handle Bar in Mitchell Street on Saturday 1 February with Gold Rock 3, a 12-hour music festival featuring 100 per cent home-grown performers.

Set across two stages to keep things moving, showgoers will be able to take in a whopping 29 acts including solo artists, duos and full band setups.

Event founder, organiser and stage manager Shann Lions, who’ll also be appearing as lead singer/guitarist in Relays, and Four Lions, said he hopes the day turns into Handle Bar’s “biggest ever event” where people come along and say “this was one of the best things in Bendigo music for a very long time.”

“It’s all about the artists and getting as many of them in one space as well,” he said.

“(Hopefully) it might create collaborations and build something and make the scene healthier.

“I think what we’ve got here (in Bendigo) we need to support – something like Gold Rock will make a lot of artists known to different punters and they might find a new favourite band out of it.

“It’s one of the best days on the Bendigo entertainment calendar, it’s going to cost you nothing, so even if you come for a couple of hours at least you’ve been a part of it.”

Attendees are permitted to bring in takeaway food and anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

All details are available on the event’s Facebook page.