The Victorian city of Hume is preparing to celebrate the 50th birthday of its most famous music event – the Sunbury Music Festival.
The Barefoot in the Grass: 50-year anniversary of the Sunbury Music Festival exhibition, which celebrates the Sunbury Music Festivals of 1972 – 1975, will be on display until Sunday 27 March at the Hume Global Learning Centre – Sunbury.
“The Sunbury Music Festivals are an important part of the cultural memory of both Sunbury and Australia,” said Hume City Council Mayor, Carly Moore.
“The festivals drew tens of thousands of people and featured some of the 70s most significant artists including Queen and Deep Purple, as well as local acts such as Skyhooks, Spectrum and Billy Thorpe and the Aztecs.
“Hume City Council is proud to host this exhibition which recognises the historical importance of the festivals and their significant contribution to Australia’s music history and culture.”
The exhibition also features perspectives from local fans and music historians and acknowledges their stories and memorabilia as a valuable contributor to social history.
“Along with an array of festival memorabilia, the exhibition features invaluable firsthand accounts from those who were there. This includes special guest speaker, photographer Peter Lane, who captured rare photographs of Queen’s festival performance and will speak at the exhibition’s launch,” said Mayor Moore.
“For those who weren’t lucky enough to attend the events, this exhibition will make you feel like you were there by capturing the festivals’ celebratory and festive atmosphere.”
As part of the exhibition, Council’s Libraries After Dark program will host a panel discussion that will include Peter Evans – author of Sunbury, Australia’s Greatest Rock Festival and a host of musicians, roadies and fans who were there during the halcyon days of the Australian music scene.
The panel discussion will be held on Thursday 17 February – bookings are essential.
Visit the Barefoot in the Grass: 50-year anniversary of the Sunbury Music Festival exhibition page for more information.
