Translate this page

Keep in

the know

  • blog banner

Summer Soundtrack

Monday, 09 January 2017

The music is turned up and the windows are all the way down. Your hair is whipping around like you’re in either a shampoo commercial or a cyclone depending on the breeze that day. You can sing at the top of your voice because the stereo and the wind will drown you out. In that moment, you ARE Beyonce.

Drives to the coast with my fave tunes blaring is one of the highlights of my summer. I’ve been doing it since I turned 18 and would pack Hamish my golden retriever into the back of my 1970 Volkswagen Beetle (the car was ten years older than me!) for a walk and splash at 13th Beach. Now my back seat has a couple of kids as well and we’re still driving and singing our way to the beach.

Music is synonymous with summer I think. There are more parties, more social occasions, more relaxing with tunes turned on in the background. Summer also gives more opportunities to enjoy live music with outdoor concerts happening, festivals featuring bands as part of their schedule and intimate shows in beer gardens. Here are our highlights for the Summer Soundtrack in Geelong and The Bellarine:

Track 1: Bluestone Blues Festival, Saturday 31 December. Presented by the Sleepy Hollow Blues Club in the heart of the Golden Plains. It’s a cruisy way to bring in the new year and you can really enjoy yourself with a few bevvies knowing on-site camping is included with your ticket.

Track 2: Portarlington Mussel Festival, Saturday 14 January. Once you’ve eaten your fill of Portarlington’s famous (and bloody delicious) mussels, settle in for a drink and live music across five stages. There’s something for every music taste, from Taylor Swift and Katy Perry tributes to Avalon, Jimi Hocking, the Hip Cats and Sassy Soul Sisters.

music port mussel fest

Track 3: Festival of Sails, Saturday 21 – Saturday 28 January. While the yachts are doing their thing on the water, you can cruise to Steampacket Gardens or the Yacht Club to catch some great acts. See some classic Aussie bands at Regatta Village with the Black Sorrows on Saturday 21 Jan and Badloves on Tuesday 24 January. Family Day on Sunday 22 Jan has heaps of waterski action on the bay just alongside Steampacket Gardens and a tonne of great music on the stage on shore. Then, Australia Day has plenty for the kids, with the Kazoos, Katy Perry and Pink tribute bands and finishing with fireworks.

Track 4: Human Nature at the Arena, Thursday 2 February. This is the ultimate jukebox tour through 60 years of music includes the boys paying tribute to some legends, their own chart toppers and some fresh music too.

Track 5: Oneday Estate, Friday 3 February. Wilbur Wilde returns to Oneday Estate. Top notch wine, cold beer, good food and an Aussie legend on stage.  

Track 6: Ol’ 55 at Bellarine Estate, Sunday 12 February. Kick back on the lawn among the vines and enjoy this concert, part of the Ol’ 55 40 year reunion tour.

Track 7: Great Australian Beer Festival, Saturday 18 February. 3 stages, 20 acts including Richard Clapton and the Potbelleez. Oh, and more than 200 CRAFT BEERS and CIDERS! Cheers!!

Great Australian Beer Festival

Image via Great Australian Beer Festival on Facebook

Track 8: Pako Festa, Saturday 25 February. Geelong’s multi-cultural street party is a local institution. Acts to range from reggae to Eastern European song and dance to Flamenco. And the menu is just as globally spectacular!

Track 9: Mental As Anything at Bellarine Estate, Sunday 12 March. OK, so technically this is Autumn, but the weather’s still warm and the music is still this cool. And The Chantoozies are the support act!

Track 10: Sunday Sessions at Basils Farm. Throughout summer – acoustic acts, wine, beer, food and views across Swan Bay to Queenscliff. Spread out a picnic blanket (or book a table) and enjoy!

Basils Farm view

Track 11: The Blues Train, Queenscliff. This is the perfect final track on our Summer soundtrack – the Blues Train is our progressive party, on throughout the year. After eating dinner at Queenscliff Station, jump on board the vintage steam train and enjoy an intimate show in each train carriage – stopping for three intervals to recharge your drinks and move to the next carriage.

Blues Train night

Summer will also see heaps of acoustic musos playing in pubs and beer gardens, so check out some of our favourite local pubs here