Thursday, Rockingham aka Pete Rowlands @ Spa Bar Daylesford

Saturday, Howling Owls @ Spa Bar Daylesford

The Howling Owls are a five-piece eclectic garage rock group. Locally based, their rock style spreads from rhythm/blues/country playing originals to classic, obscure covers.

Friday, Friday Festivities, @ Old Hepburn Hotel

Saturday, Gilly and Terry @ Old Hepburn Hotel

Sunday,  Ash Egan @ Old Hepburn Hotel

Saturday, DJ Pancho Combo @ Palais

Friday, Yazmindi @ Blue Bean Cafe

Saturday, Daryl James/El Darke @ Blue Bean Cafe

Sunday, Next Episode @ Blue Bean Cafe

Sunday, Calexico (US) @ Theatre Royal Castlemaine

Calexico is a Tucson, Arizona-based Americana, Tex-Mex, indie rock band that is sometimes interestingly categorised as “desert noir”. They have recorded nine albums and a 2005 EP, In the Reins.

Their musical style is influenced by traditional Latin sounds of mariachi, conjunto, cumbia and tejano mixed with country, jazz and post-rock. The band will head to Castlemaine following two gigs at Melbourne’s recital centre. This is the last gig of the tour.

Monday, Cosmic Psychos, 1pm, with Southeast Desert Metal @ Newstead Music Festival, various venues (Friday to Monday)

A fabulous, eclectic affair with a proud tradition, kicking off on Friday night at venues across town.

Apart from the fabulous line-up, accessed via wrist bands with full weekend and day passes available, the event also features the free Live 'n' Local Stage with Main FM outside broadcast on Saturday, a pool party and trad disco on Sunday. 

Performers will include Skip Gorman, Andy Baylor, Liz Frencham, Jed Rowe, local hero Archer with Matisse and Justin Bernasconi (often playing with Cat Canteri in The Stillsons, who is also in Jed Rowe). Being a festival there are multiple opportunities to catch artists. 

There’s also a poets breakfast, workshops of all shapes and sizes and Sunday morning gospel. Australia Day weekend sorted.