The Mundi Mundi plains and rugged Barrier Ranges set the scene for Hoodoo Gurus as they took the stage on day one of the Broken Hill Mundi Mundi Bash – outback NSW’s biggest ever live music event.
The legendary Aussie rockers got the 12,000-strong crowd hooting and howling as they performed classics including What’s My Scene and a special version of the iconic Monday, Monday tailored to Mundi, Mundi.
This was the band’s second time playing a Bash event following their debut appearance at sister event the Birdsville Big Red Bash in July.
A squall hit the Mundi Mundi Plains with no warning bringing winds and light showers while Hoodoo Gurus were still on stage, and their chart hit Like Wow – Wipeout! seemed prophetic as their set was cut a little short by the blustery conditions.
The wild weather passed as quickly as it had blown in, and Furnace and the Fundamentals brought the main stage to a close with an eclectic set that left the dancing punters wanting more.
After their set Greg Donovan, festival founder and Managing Director of the Outback Music Festival Group, was called on stage by event emcee Mike Goldman who dubbed him the Mayor of Mundiville. Greg thanked the thousands of festival goers who braved the weather and stayed on to rock with Furnace and the Fundamentals saying, “You guys are hardcore. Stuff Mother Nature, despite her best efforts we were able to put on an awesome show. Thanks for sticking around, and to for Furnace for bringing so much energy and making it an awesome night.”
Earlier in the day, the main stage was set alight with the musical stylings of singer-songwriter Shane Howard, of Goanna fame. Joining Howard for two very special songs was a choir of 30 school children.
The young choir, called The Subtext, came together from a mix of regional schools (including two in Broken Hill) and performed renditions of “Heart of My Country” and the iconic Goanna chart-topper “Solid Rock,” in what turned out to be a magical, heart-rending highlight of the day.
Festival goers were treated to a host of other acts today including Troy Cassar-Daley, The Chantoozies, Water Bag Band and The Waifs.
Donna Simpson of the Waifs celebrated her birthday on stage today with sister Vicki Thorn and Josh Cunningham out on the Mundi Mundi Plains.
Determined not to let the 12,000 strong crowd down, Donna took to the stage despite slipping on a carrot peel the night before and fracturing her pelvis.
Joking that she heard a rumour you had to break something before you’re allowed to play at the Broken Hill Mundi Mundi Bash, Donna said, “This isn’t the first time I’ve performed with a break – years ago I broke my ankle on the way to a gig and had to make an escape from St
Vincents in the Cross back to the Metro when they told me I couldn’t perform and needed a plaster. I hid a green whistle in my bra and ‘borrowed’ a wheelchair and got my friend to get me out to a cab. They reported me to the police, but all was forgiven when I returned the wheelchair after the gig. The band say that one day we’ll have to do a book called ‘Everything that Happened to Donna’.”
Before the line-up of seasoned singers and bands hit the stage, the Mundi’s Got Talent competition delivered a musical showcase of rising stars. The contest saw gifted singers from a range of genres perform in front of the buzzing festival crowd.
Off-stage, punters were treated to a family-friendly line-up of outback-inspired activities – from camel rides to Dunny Door Painting and all sorts of surprises in between.
The Mundi Mundi Bash will continue tomorrow Friday August 18 and Saturday August 19 with performances by ICEHOUSE, Human Nature, Dragon, Kate Ceberano, Thirsty Merc, Pete Murray, Chocolate Starfish and more.
Running from 17-19th August, the family and dog-friendly Mundi Mundi Bash is sold out.
About the Mundi Mundi Bash:
Where: Belmont Station, on the Mundi Mundi Plains 9km north of Silverton, 35km north of Broken Hill
When: 17-19 August 2023
Full Line-Up: ICEHOUSE, Hoodoo Gurus, Human Nature, Pete Murray, The Angels, The Waifs, Kate Ceberano, Troy Cassar-Daley, Dragon, Thirsty Merc, Chocolate Starfish, Shane Howard, Jack Jones, Pierce Brothers, Wendy Matthews, Grace Knight, The Chantoozies, Melanie Dyer, Caitlyn Shadbolt, Furnace and the Fundamentals, Mi-Sex, Tha Boiz, The Mundi Mundi Bash Band and The Waterbag Band.
For more information, visit www.mundimundibash.com.au.
