MOONRISE ROCK FESTIVAL

MOONRISE ROCK FESTIVAL

Derby - Western Australia

The Kimberley. The very word conjures up images of ancient ranges, azure blue seas and true indigenous culture. The real Australia that we all recognize but hardly ever experience. The town of Derby is the hub of the region which epitomizes Kimberley culture. The town by the mudflats sports some great events. The Boab Festival, the Derby Cup, the Mowanjum Festival and the Derby Rodeo are all must see events for locals and tourists alike, but the one event that every local hangs out for is THE KIMBERLEY MOONRISE ROCK FESTIVAL. Held every single year since 1994 the festival is generally considered to be Australia's most enduring. Precious live CDs have been cut at every festival since 1996. Each one capturing the essence of a unique musical event. The residents of Derby both black and white are as proud of their talented musicians as any folk from Tamworth, Gympie or Sunbury. The festival began as the brainchild of 2 local Woodstock enthusiasts, artist Mark Norval and teacher/muso Denis Jokovich. Rallying support from local school teachers, the festival was run on a volunteer basis with any profit being injected into the town's education facilities. The festival continues to be run along these lines with all bands performing for free and students, teachers and locals pitching in with the set-up and clean-up. The major sponsor for this event since its inception has been HEALTHWAY, providing much needed financial grunt through its RESPECT YOURSELF RESPECT YOUR CULTURE initiative. Over the years the concert has been a tremendous staging point for famous Kimberley indigenous bands such as Gulingi Nunga, Silhouette, Kross Kulcha and Seaside Drifters. Solo performers such as Kerrie Anne Cox and Mark Bin Bakar made early appearances at Moonrise and have gone onto national acclaim. Visitors to the festival have included Neil Murray, Carus and the energetic Dave Johnson, who delivers an annual workshop to budding musicians at the local high school. So I guess in a nutshell that's the story of Moonrise. See you all under the full moon among the Boabs sometime in the near future.......