DAY 1 – RIVERBOATS MUSIC FESTVAL – ECHUCA – 13.02.2026
Review: Craig Eriksson. Photos: Jason Rosewarne.
The weather was perfect for the first evening of the annual Riverboats Music Festival at Echuca. The township was buzzing with punters, who were here to enjoy the three-day outdoor music festival. As we drove from Moama in NSW across the state border into Echuca, Victoria, people were walking in droves across the bridge carrying their folding chairs, picnic blankets, and eskies, making their way to the festival precinct.
The festival grounds and stage are set up just near the Murray River with plenty of trees and a lush lawn area to either sit in the shade or soak up the sun. It is a beautiful setting, and the layout of the festival is ideal, with market stalls, food trucks, bars, merch stands, and toilets close to everyone.
The festival kicked off with Welcome to Country and then Naarm/Melbourne alternative five-piece folk band, Norwood, opened with their fresh sound of folksy harmonies and storytelling. Fronted by singer-songwriters Olivia Bolmat and Nathaniel Peacock, this duo share the lead vocals and they harmonise incredibly well together, creating a mix of smooth, alternative folk that fuses Americana with local folk influences. Their performance of songs like Old Bones, Big Talker, Little Shoes, and I Know, It Looks Bad were beautiful, accompanied by tasteful acoustic guitars and banjo.
During the breaks, Brian Nankervis (Comedian/Rockwiz) is the MC, keeping everyone entertained with his charm, humour, throwing his frisbee out into the crowd, and the crowd throwing it back to him. It’s a lot of fun and creates a feel-good vibe while everyone waits for the next artist.
Full Flower Moon Band (FFMB) is a dynamic five-piece rock band from Brisbane, Australia. Their charismatic frontwoman, Kate ‘Babyshakes’ Dillon, is incredible and mesmerising to watch. In my opinion, she’s reminiscent of the late Chrissie Amphlett in her manner and stage performance, with her evocative and suggestive movements and attire. The way Babyshakes works the stage, shakes her legs, and engages with the crowd was captivating. FFMB played a fun, entertaining hard rock show, combining psych rock, punk, garage rock, and indie grit with their massive heavy riffs, thumping drums, and raw energy. The crowd absolutely loved them and were rockin’ along. Babyshakes shouts out to the crowd, “This is so fun!” She then spoke to the crowd about the gig they did in Spain last year when they sang Man Hands, and the Spanish fans couldn’t quite grasp what it was about! FFMB played a solid 15-song set that included nine songs from their Megaflower (2025) album, with Super Like Me, Illegal Things, Devil, Enemy, West Side, Man Hands, Come and Be, Scene, and Female Mechanic. They played their recent release, Harder Man. We will definitely see this band again soon as they were brilliant!
As the sun set over Echuca, the local corellas, cockatoos, and galahs were creating their own music while we waited for Baker Boy. Australian hip hop, R&B and soul artist Baker Boy (Danzal Baker), known as ‘The Fresh Prince from Arnhem Land’, is from Millingimbi Island, Northern Territory. BB is a rapper, dancer and artist that blends modern hip hop with Yolngu Matha language and traditional elements like the yidaki (didgeridoo), creating a high-energy, feel-good, party atmosphere with his unique and infectious blend of modern hip hop.
The stage had several small podiums that Baker Boy stood on so everyone could see him. These podiums were adorned with grass, creating a stage design rooted in his heritage and connection to the land. Baker Boy has a distinctive look with his dreadlocks, silver pants and black top, and he was joined on stage with his drummer along with a multi-instrumentalist (DJ, drum machine and guitarist).
Baker Boy said it had been 11 years since he was last in Victoria when he returned to spend Christmas with his Mum and family. He joked about how he struggled coping with the heat and laughed that he sought refuge in air-conditioned shopping centres.
BB had three didgeridoos that he played during his set, on which he performed several solos. They all sounded amazing and were quite spiritual to hear in the natural outdoor environment. The connection Baker Boy had with the crowd was second to none, and he announced to the crowd, “Let’s do some dancing!” and encouraged the crowd to dance and jump along to his music, and that they did throughout the entire show. BB certainly has the moves and a unique style of rapping!
It was wonderful to see that there were so many families with their kids on their shoulders, getting right into the music. The show was well choreographed and electric, bringing everyone together, creating a real sense of community, and that is the magic of music and festivals like this.
I can’t wait for Day 2 of Riverboats featuring The Living End, Cash Savage & The Last Drinks, Emma Donovan, Bleak Squad, Andrew Gurruwiwi Band, Queenie, Felicity Urquhart & Josh Cunningham, and The Wildlings.
