Dragon fires new life into Nimbin Roots Festival

DRAGON, Emily Lubitz and The Audreys are among the line-up for the 2025 Nimbin Roots Festival, which will be held from October 24 to 26.

The festival is celebrating its 10th anniversary in the hinterland town, which is known as Australia’s counterculture capital, this year.

The event’s founder, singer and songwriter Lou Bradley, said she was particularly excited about having Dragon on board as the headline act.

The rock band, which formed in New Zealand in the 1970s, is known for hits such as April Sun in Cuba, Are You Old Enough? and Rain.

“I’m pretty keen to have good songwriters and those stalwarts,” Bradley said.

Other artists include Kingfisha, Mungo Fungo (featuring Ben Ely from Regurgitator), Wild Marmalade, Paul Greene, Calico, Women In Docs, Allison Forbes, Den Hanrahan, Joshua Lee Wright, The Golden Gaytimes, Sunday Lemonade, Mitch King, Thirst Trap, The Appointments, Toni Janke, Two Tears in a Bucket, Tripsitta, Miss Eileen & King Lear, The Mudflowers and The Tall Stories.

Unlike many other festivals which are held in large grounds, the Nimbin Roots Festival takes place in venues throughout the village, including Nimbin Bowling Club and the colourfully decorated hall that houses the School of Arts.

There will also be markets with buskers performing, workshops and a Peace and Love Parade, although unlike last year won’t feature nudity in 2025.

Bradley is also organising inaugural sister event the Mullum Roots Festival, which is being held on July 12 and 13.

With Bluesfest being held for the final time this year, she believes these smaller festivals have strong potential to attract music lovers who prefer more intimate events.

“There’s no big high stages and the audience can get up close to the artists,” she said.

This year Nimbin Valley Dairy is also offering pre-booked camping for festivalgoers. “It has the best views in the village,” Bradley said. Nimbin Showground also has powered and unpowered campsites.

For more information and tickets, visit nimbinrootsfest.com