Berry NSW's live music scene gathers momentum with funk and soul takeover

Distributed by Lanham Media on behalf of the Berry Chamber of Commerce

Sydney soul powerhouse CINTA, Melbourne collective Velvet Bloom and a lineup of acclaimed touring, regional and emerging artists are heading to Berry for the latest instalment of A Day Well Spent this June.

Berry will come alive with free live music this June as acclaimed touring artists, emerging talent and regional favourites take over some of the town's most popular venues for the Funk & Soul edition of A Day Well Spent, taking place on Thursday 18 and Sunday 21 June.

Headlining the program is Sydney soul powerhouse CINTA, whose commanding stage presence and inventive arrangements have made her one of the city's most compelling contemporary performers, alongside Melbourne collective Velvet Bloom, fresh from being selected by the Vivid Sydney programming team.

Curated by South Coast live music collective Holy Pavlova, the Funk & Soul edition also features Sydney funk and soul favourites Honeydrip, high-energy Wollongong seven-piece Autumn Sunset and groove-focused newcomers Saturn Chromatic, alongside solo performers Blessie Pica, Erin Badman, Hannah Tregret, Isy Cappo, Jaspar Gubbay and SO-FI.

Holy Pavlova programmer Harrison Hall said the calibre of artists performing in Berry reflected the growing reputation of both the series and the town as a live music destination.

"Velvet Bloom and CINTA are artists audiences would normally expect to see in major cities or at larger festivals. The fact they're performing in Berry says a lot about what this series has become," Harrison said.

"The headline acts are a huge drawcard, but we've always wanted A Day Well Spent to be about discovery as well as great live music. One of the most rewarding things has been seeing audiences trust the program and embrace artists they might never have sought out themselves."

The Funk & Soul edition follows successful Country, Jazz & Blues and Indie weekends, which have collectively supported more than 96 musicians across 8 venues.

Part of Berry's Extend the Weekend campaign, supported by the NSW Government's UPTOWN Grant Program, A Day Well Spent was designed to encourage visitors and locals to stay longer, spread visitation across more days and support local businesses beyond traditional peak periods.

Precinct Coordinator Kate Dezarnaulds said the response to the series had exceeded expectations.

"It's honestly been a joy to watch. Every time A Day Well Spent rolls around, you can feel the excitement building and see more and more people embracing it," Kate said. "We've seen people of all ages out enjoying incredible live music, catching up with friends and making a day of it in Berry. The calibre of the acts has been extraordinary and, because every performance is free, it's something everyone can be part of.

"The energy these weekends create has exceeded anything we imagined. The venues are buzzing, people are moving from venue to venue and there's a real sense that the whole town is sharing in the experience."

The program begins on Thursday 18 June with performances at The Berry Hotel, Great Southern Hotel and Le Bar before building to the signature Sunday music trail on 21 June. Sunday's program spans The Berry Hotel, Great Southern Hotel, Il Locale, Albert St Caffé & Bar, Le Bar, The Rutledge Bar & Eats and The Berry General Store. All performances are free, although bookings are recommended at some venues.

Full program details are available at extendtheweekend.berry.org.au

Extend the Weekend in Berry is supported by the NSW Government through the Uptown Grant Program and administered by Create NSW and the Office of the 24-Hour Economy Commissioner. The project aligns with the NSW Visitor Economy Strategy 2035, Destination Sydney Surrounds South’s Destination Management Plan and Shoalhaven Council’s tourism objectives to support longer stays, off-peak visitation and locally-led experiences.

Distributed by Lanham Media on behalf of the Berry Chamber of Commerce

Media contacts:

Greg Townley | [email protected] | 0414 195 908

Fleur Townley | [email protected] | 0405 278 758

Available for interview:

Kate Dezarnaulds, Uptown Precinct Coordinator and Former Head of the Berry Chamber of Commerce and Tourism, can speak to the intent of the grant.
Harrison Hall, Holy Pavlova, can speak to the music program and the live music industry
David Stubbs, The Berry View Motel, Berry Getaways and The Berry Hotel, Berry Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Committee Member, can speak to opportunities and challenges for the hospitality and accommodation sector
Musicians available on request.

Media Assets / Artist Bios: here