The Gum Ball | Bumper Line Up for 2023

The Gum Ball. Image supplied by The Gum Ball.

We're pretty fortunate in the Hunter Valley to host some great annual events, but one of the most treasured must be The Gum Ball. Now celebrating its 18th year, the weekend-long cultural escape has built an enviable reputation across Australia (and the world) for its grassroots evolution into a supreme boutique family-friendly offering tucked away at Dashville, the 100-acre bushland venue and campground at Lower Belford.

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Held over the last weekend of the April school holidays, 21-23 April 2023, this year is a bumper year, with over 40 acts across the three days, including one of Australia's greatest rock acts, Baby Animals, alongside other high-profile acts such as American band Mudhoney, Canadian band The Sheepdogs, Paul Dempsey, Ainslie Wills and even Bob Starkie's Skyhooks Show!

The laid-back camping festival offers up a myriad of adventure and activities for all ages, alongside a broad range of music styles, one by one, creating something for everyone and testament to the offering, comes the welcome news that the festival was successful in their application to the NSW Government's Regional Events Acceleration Fund, receiving funding support to assist in increasing inclusivity and accessibility for patrons at the event.

This means the festival team have been hard at work completing venue upgrades and building pathways and podiums, with a vision to become a fully accessible venue for the public in 2023 and beyond.

While it is typically a camping festival, there is also an option for single-day tickets and accessible public transport options. Organisers encourage those requiring special assistance to contact the venue if they'd like a site inspection before the event.

The Sheepdogs. Image supplied by The Gum Ball.

Parents listen up as the festival also has a pretty impressive Youth Mentorship opportunity for budding young teenagers interested in music! It's known as The Young Gums, and applications are now open until 20 March.

The immersive project selects ten teenagers who take a five-day journey alongside music professionals, culminating in a main-stage performance on the festival's final day.

For more information on The Gum Ball, go to www.thegumball.com.au.