Rock and roll all night at McNish Reserve

Singer and musician Rebecca Barnard and organiser Michael Clarke are warming up for a rocking good time at this year's Stony Creek Music Festival. (Damjan Janevski) 324773_05

Yarraville music enthusiasts are encouraged to come on down to Yarraville’s McNish Reserve to rock the afternoon and evening away as part of the ninth Stony Creek Music Festival.

Organised by the Seddon Kingsville Yarraville Community Group, the free festival will run from 3pm to 9pm on Saturday, April 1, featuring a range of bands and artists taking to the stage, including The Black Curtains

Festival founder and organiser Michael Clarke said the long-term success was due to the support of a group of local musicians, including Nick Barker and Shane O’Mara, as well as Rebecca’s Empire singer and solo artist Rebecca Barnard, who will be the MC of this year’s festival.

“Without her ongoing support and her connections to the music scene, the festival wouldn’t be possible,” he said.

Mr Clarke said he came up with the idea for the local music festival to rival music festivals in Brunswick and St Kilda, receiving support from renowned rock singer-songwriter Deborah Conway and musician and composer Willy Zygier.

He said this year’s main event will be a retrospective musical performance looking back at the work of American rock legend Tom Petty, helmed by Barnard, Barker and Rob Craw and The Wildflower Band.

“That should be remarkable,” Mr Clarke said.

The event will also include performances from Shane O’Mara and his band The Silversound, rap group Ghetto Stars Super Stars and teen punk band The Receivers, as well as drumming workshops with Ray Pereira, three-string guitar workshops with Greg McKinnon and gardening workshops at the Yarraville Community Garden, food trucks and a Rotary sausage sizzle.

For younger festivalgoers, face painting will be on offer and Belle the Princess on Skates will be visiting the festival.

Details: www.maribyrnong.vic.gov.au/Events/Stony-Creek-Music-Festival