From Fremantle to Canberra: Artists head to Berry as town backs live music
Distributed by Lanham Media on behalf of the Berry Chamber of Commerce
Artists from Western Australia, the ACT and across NSW are heading to Berry this September for the town’s most geographically diverse A Day Well Spent lineup yet.
The Folk edition on Sunday 20 September will see the free, family-friendly live music program take over venues across the village, with audiences encouraged to wander between performances, discover new artists and make a day, or a weekend, of it.
Fremantle’s Jack Davies (duo) and Sydney-raised indie-folk artist Ben Morgan will headline the program, alongside Canberra songwriter Lucy Sugerman, WA singer-songwriter Adele Oliver, Illawarra artists Olivia Coggan and Shalani, Gerringong’s Jack Rose and South Coast folk artist Saxon Penn.
The expanding reach of the lineup marks another step for A Day Well Spent, which began earlier this year as an experiment in bringing Berry’s venues and businesses together around live music.
Four themed events spanning Country, Jazz & Blues, Indie and Funk & Soul were held between February and June. Following encouraging early results, the program secured further NSW Government funding for three additional events this spring, beginning with Reggae & Roots in August.
Folk is next on Sunday 20 September, before the 2026 series concludes with Around the World on Saturday 31 October and Sunday 1 November.
Precinct Coordinator Kate Dezarnaulds said attracting artists from further afield was an encouraging sign of what Berry was beginning to build.
“We’d love Berry to become known as a place where artists want to come and play and where audiences know they can discover great live music,” Ms Dezarnaulds said. “What started as a very local collaboration is beginning to reach much further afield. Having musicians travelling from Western Australia and Canberra to be part of the program, alongside some incredible NSW and South Coast artists, is an exciting next step.
“What’s just as important is keeping it accessible. The day is completely free and family-friendly, so you can bring the kids, wander between venues, discover an artist you may never have heard before, stop for lunch and make a day, or a weekend, of it.”
For Sydney-raised indie-folk artist Ben Morgan, who began busking on Manly’s Corso and the streets of Byron Bay before going on to tour internationally, events that create opportunities for audiences to discover live music have particular appeal.
Morgan has supported artists including Ziggy Alberts, Ryan Harris and Kim Churchill, and performed alongside Alberts at London’s Royal Albert Hall.
“Some of my favourite experiences as a musician have come from playing to people who might not necessarily have set out to see you that day, but stop and connect with the music,” Mr Morgan said. “Events like this give people a chance to discover artists they may not have heard before, while also supporting live music and the venues that make it possible. I’m really looking forward to playing in Berry and being part of a day that brings the whole town into it.”
A Day Well Spent is part of Berry’s broader Extend the Weekend initiative, which brings together musicians, hospitality venues, accommodation providers and other local businesses to encourage visitors to spend more time in the town.
Early results have been encouraging. Across the first four A Day Well Spent events, hospitality spending was 34 per cent higher overall, while accommodation spending was 37 per cent higher than the corresponding periods the previous year.
Local accommodation providers are also getting behind the spring events, with several offering special accommodation packages to encourage visitors to stay longer, including Supercalla Private Properties.
“Berry is such a great place to spend a few days, so anything that gives people another reason to slow down, stay a little longer and really enjoy the town is a good thing,” Bede Hunt, Co-Founder and Director at Supercalla, said. “Tourism initiatives like this are fabulous for everyone. Guests get a richer experience of the region, and that extra night or two flows through to the local restaurants, shops, producers and small businesses that make Berry what it is.”
Also travelling to Berry for the Folk program are Fremantle’s Jack Davies, bringing his intimate folk sound across the country, and Canberra’s Lucy Sugerman, who has performed at BIGSOUND and SXSW in Austin and supported Sons Of The East on their sold-out Australian tour.
Plan your weekend, explore the full Folk program and check out special accommodation offers at extendtheweekend.berry.org.au.
Berry NSW is proudly funded by the NSW Government through the Office of the 24-Hour Economy Commissioner’s Uptown Grant Program. Berry NSW’s Extend the Weekend project also 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, can speak to the intent of the grant and Berry’s Extend the Weekend initiative.
● Harrison Hall, Holy Pavlova, can speak to the music program and the live music industry.
● Indie-folk artist Ben Morgan can speak to the importance of live music and touring as an independent artist.
● Bede Hunt, Co-Founder and Director, Supercalla Private Properties, can speak to the value of events in encouraging overnight stays and supporting Berry’s visitor economy.
● Other musicians available on request.
Media Assets available here