Stars of the funk, rock and soul scene took to the stage on October 6, for an event which has established itself in recent years as a highlight of the region’s annual music calendar.

Brought together by MC Texas Dave McGarry and a team of dedicated volunteers, the festival united big-name acts The Bamboos, Caiti Baker and Gang of Brothers with local up-and-comers The Swamp Stompers, Kumera Patch and Ron ‘Callo’ Callaghan.

Festival spokesperson Toby Whitelaw wrapped up the 2018 event in a single word – “phenomenal”.

“It was an incredible day of music,” Mr Whitelaw said. “We were rapt in all the performances, from the St Peters Band all the way to The Bamboos.

“There was an amazing, luxurious glow inside Granite Town where the people were in there pinching themselves, disbelieving they have this ridiculous show turned on for them. It’s very relaxed and the musicians love that.”

With the challenges of regional festivals known throughout the music scene, Mr Whitelaw thanked the community for getting behind Granite Town and making it possible.

“It’s almost like a community service. We put hundreds of hours in and the reward really is bringing an event like this to town and sharing it with the community who gets such a buzz from it,” he said.

“Someone said it’s one of the reasons worth living here.

“I think it is a really important event on the local calendar. It inspires local musicians and I see it as an important part of the musical touring culture of the South Coast which is pretty neglected compared to the rest of the country.”

He said the event was testament to the work of Moruya music icon Texas Dave McGarry.

“Dave really started the culture of incredible international acts touring and visiting Moruya 30 to 40 years ago and that put Moruya on the map musically,” Mr Whitelaw said.

“It was fantastic to have him on stage introducing bands and explaining to people how lucky they were.”

Texas Dave said the festival was “fantastic”.

“That was the best one-day festival ever seen in this area,” he said.