Blue Surf 66

The brain-child of one Warrior Poet and a "Well-Behaved" Bushranger, Blue Surf Red Dust grew wings when for local musicians from Newcastle came together with a vision to create a "different" kind of festival. Ran by musicians for musicians, BSRD is about sharing stories and experiences, bringing people together and helping young artists to get exposure; not only to run an annual festival in Newcastle - but to take musicians from Newcastle to festivals across the continent. From the blue surf to the red dust - and back again.
The BSRD committee (Mango, Nick, Kent and Lennie) spent months brain-storming the 'home-base' festival which was to be held at the Hamilton Rail Reserve, next to Hamitlon train station on Beaumont Street. Countless meetings with officials and endless applications for grants and sponsorship appeared - at first - fruitless, so after a brief meeting the BSRD committee decided to take matters into their own hands and began approaching the local buisnesses of Beaumont Street, as well as Newcastle's major originals venues for sponsorship. As well as gaining support from Muso's Corner and Newcastle Skate shop, BSRD recieved donations from over 20 independent buisnesses in Beaumont Street and also recieved support from ABC radio. To raise further funds for the event a BSRD Street Jam was held weekly on Beaumont Street, with locals dipping into their pockets and musicians volunteering their time to help the cause.
Local art giant Sam the Crow Man came on board as art director, consulting with the committee on the layout of the festival, decour and the design of the huge BSRD mural-fence.
On 24th August after months of hard work and stress the day of the first Blue Surf Red Dust Festival finally arrived. Starting with a welcome to country ceremony from Awabakal in the morning the festival saw a healthy turn-out and the entertainment was non-stop. Here, in order of appearance, are the performers that graced the stages at the first BSRD festival: Ngambai, Matt O'Donnell, Gargamels Cat, Michael Wilks, Matt Purcell, Nugwardo, Logorithm, the Well Behaved Bushranger, Funky Farmer, Oneewa, Crocq, The Havelocks, Organik, Tai's Boys, Up In Folk, Limboland, The Stone Killing Birds, A Dissapointing Fire Works Display. All the bands and performers were brilliant. Also featuring in the day were stalls, raffles, a dance tent, and workshops. Once the sun went down the fire came out, with a large drum-circle formed and at its centre a fire-twirling display the likes of which has never been seen before or since. Atthe conclusion of the festival punters flocked to either of two post-BSRD festival parties; a post-festival show at the Hamilton Station Hotel (where both Limboland and The Havelocks performed), and the Croatian Club in Wickham.
The festival was a great success and we would like to thank everyone who was involved in helping making the event run so smoothly.
The next step for BSRD was the Nymagee Outback Festival. Four acts were sponsored by BSRD to travel out to the Nymagee Festival in November, these acts were: Tai's Boys; The Well-Behaved Bushranger; The Havelocks; The Stone-Killing Birds. Also joining the crew was art director Sam the Crow Man. The trip to Nymagee's "Day In the Dirt '08" proved a major success, with the BSRD Acoustic Stage proving an integral element to the outback festival. As well as the BSRD performers, a selection of local and international acts graced the BSRD Acoustic Stage, which was enhanced by the Crow Man's light show once the sun went down. BSRD would like to thank Jay and Tonchi for getting the wave out there.
BSRD's first year in 2008 was a great success and we would like to extend our thanks to all those musicians, buisnesses, workers, artists, and punters for participating.

In 2009 the BSRD wave will roll on, the first event on the calendar starts this week upstairs at the Kent Hotel with the first-ever BSRD Jam. Musicians and artists are encouraged to come along and participate on Wednesday 11th February from 8pm. For continuing updates keep visiting the BSRD myspace.
Horns-Up!!