Returning to the shores of Lake Burley Griffin, SummerSalt brings a day of chill vibes for the whole family on 27 January, with a line-up featuring some of the biggest names in folk, indie, and alternative music.
The festival first toured in 2019 to coastal towns; Canberra was the exception to the salty summer air behind the name.
Promoter John Zaccaria says the SummerSalt brief was to bring music to regional areas where festivalgoers would usually have to travel to a big city like Melbourne or Sydney to hear such acts.
It also fills a gap in the live music calendar, according to Zaccaria. Created for people who once loved going camping at three-day music events, but could no longer attend after they had families, SummerSalt is a place for them to bring their kids to experience the thrill of live music and hear the artists that their parents grew up with.
“For me, seeing a two-, three-, or four-year-old on their parent’s shoulders listening to the acts singing, that is what it’s all about,” Zaccaria says.
With the world opening up again, it was time to get international talent on board. Zaccaria wanted a line-up unlike any other SummerSalt event and built it around the two headline acts – Angus and Julia Stone, and Ben Harper.
Zaccaria had worked with folk and indie pop duo Angus and Julia Stone before in a smaller capacity, and was keen to welcome them to the festival stage. It all started to fall into place when American singer-songwriter Ben Harper agreed to fly out from the US. Then Canadian musician City and Colour, aka Dallas Green, was a fortunate addition, as Green was excited to tour with Harper, an inspiration of his.
The promoter says he is most keen to catch City and Colour live, mainly because Green’s music is the kind that anybody can listen to and enjoy. If they weren’t fans before the show, they soon will be.
“There are elements in Dallas [Green] that remind me of Jeff Buckley, some of those spooky vocal lines,” Zaccaria says.
Aside from the stellar line-up of musical talent, other entertainment on the day includes: roving artists, activities, and face painting for the kids, while a plethora of local food trucks will cater for all appetites.
Soak up the sun and tunes at SummerSalt at Stage 88 on Friday 27 January. Visit summersaltmusic.com.au for more information.
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