Dashville Skyline Returns For Its 11th Year Of Cosmic Country Magic

As the October long weekend rolls around, so too does one of the most beloved hidden gems of Australia’s live music scene, Dashville Skyline. Back for its 11th year, this family-friendly, three-day camping festival is once again transforming Lower Belford in the Hunter Valley into a cosmic playground of music, creativity, and unforgettable good times.

Affectionately known as the Cosmic Country Weekender, Dashville Skyline has carved out its own unique space in the Australian festival circuit. Equal parts Americana, alt-country, folk, bluegrass, soul, and rock ‘n’ roll, this grassroots gathering champions genre-fluid music, laid-back living, and the kind of community spirit you wish you could bottle.

This year’s lineup is nothing short of stellar, with more than 38 acts descending on the Dashville grounds. Leading the charge are legends The Cruel Sea, award-winning songwriter Fanny Lumsden, and US favourites Nikki Lane, Cordovas, Vincent Neil Emerson, and Laid Back Country Picker. They’re joined by a rich lineup of local heroes including Mama Kin Spender, Charlie Collins, Emily Lubitz, Melody Pool, Minor Gold, and many more. For a boutique festival, Dashville sure punches above its weight, just ask anyone who’s watched past sets by Uncle Lucius, Ella Hooper, Hurray for the Riff Raff, or Kingswood beneath the gum trees.

But Dashville Skyline is more than just a festival, it’s a vibe. With a reputation for wholesome, inclusive programming, the weekend features a vibrant side agenda packed with community-focused events. Expect line dancing classes, poetry on the porch, open mic songwriter sessions, harmonica jams, and the return of the beloved Women in Music panel. There’s even a Sunday Morning Blues Jam to soothe the soul.

Got kids in tow? They’ll be just as entertained with their own set of fun and interactive workshops, activities, and crafty goodness, because Dashville has always been proudly family-first.

And let’s not forget one of the biggest drawcards: camping. Whether you're rolling in with a van, pitching a tent, or just borrowing your mate’s swag, nothing beats waking up to a soft spring breeze, a kookaburra chorus, and a banjo twang somewhere off in the distance. It's music-fuelled escapism at its most charming.

In a time when overblown mega-festivals dominate headlines, Dashville Skyline remains a true antidote, a place where you can slow down, soak in some sunshine, and be reminded why music, nature, and community go hand-in-hand.

Tickets for camping, day passes, and full weekend are on sale now at dashville.com.au. 

Whether you’re a seasoned Skyliner or a curious first-timer, this is one weekend worth circling on the calendar.

2025 Dashville Skyline Lineup

The Cruel Sea  

Fanny Lumsden  

Cordovas (USA)  

Nikki Lane & Her Band (USA)  

Lost Ragas  

Mama Kin Spender  

Swimming Bell (USA)  

Claire Anne Taylor  

Vincent Neil Emerson (USA)  

Charlie Collins  

Laid Back Country Picker (USA)  

Emily Lubitz  

Minor Gold  

CJ Stranger  

Col Ray Price  

Jamey Foxton  

Melody Pool  

Tall Shaun & The Resolution  

Magpie Diaries  

The Slims  

William Alexander  

Kingsley James & The Forest Keepers  Huckleberry & The Devils Dandruff 

Midnight Chicken  

Dashville Progress Society  

Ben Mastwyk & His Millions  

Lady Lyon  

Dave Favours & The Roadside Ashes  

Kyle Brew & The Flying Bison Band  

Grand Pricks  

Meghan Maike & The Cactus Flowers  Dingo  

Joey Leigh Wagtail  

Steve Lane  

A Man Called Stu  

Joyce Prescher